Carrefour, Google sign ambitious digital agreement | Progresiv
Carrefour and Google have announced the signing of a major new strategic partnership, which will focus on three digital initiatives to drive growth at both groups. 
The groups said that while Carrefour will contribute its product expertise and know-how in logistics and sales, Google will offer its technology and skills in AI, cloud, and new consumer shopping interfaces.
The tie-up will look to expand Carrefour’s presence on Google’s platforms, making the retailer the first in France to partner with Google for online grocery shopping. Beginning early 2019, shoppers in France will be able to buy Carrefour products via Google Assistant and Google Home, as well as a new dedicated area on Google Shopping. The orders placed via these channels can either be delivered home or can be picked up in-store.
Secondly, Carrefour will open an innovation lab with Google Cloud in Paris in summer 2018, which will look to develop new AI-based services. Finally, the two sides will launch a training programme to speed up Carrefour’s digital transformation, with more than 1,000 Carrefour employees being trained over six months with the help of Google Cloud. Carrefour will also deploy Google’s G Suite solutions to its more than 160,000 employees, while accelerating the use of Google Cloud across its operations.
The deal is yet another major initiative announced by Alexandre Bompard, who took over as Carrefour CEO last year and has been looking to shake up the group. Bompard noted: “This alliance makes Carrefour the first partner of Google on grocery e-commerce in Europe, creating a strong bond between the two companies … It allows us to accelerate our digital evolution and get a head start in deploying the omni-channel approach we want to offer our customers”. (www.kamcity.com)
