February 20, 2026 Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is teaming up with Google to bring artificial intelligence deeper into how Canadians shop. The partnership will enable purchases directly through Google Search’s AI Mode and the Gemini app.
The move will enable consumers to browse and buy select categories, including groceries, beauty products and apparel, without leaving AI-driven interfaces. The partnership marks one of the clearest signs yet that large retailers are betting on “agentic shopping,” where AI tools guide customers from discovery to checkout.
Loblaw says the approach reflects changing consumer habits, as more shoppers begin using conversational tools to research products, compare options and complete purchases.
Under the deal, the Toronto-based grocer will also expand its use of Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform across core operations. The company has already deployed the technology in areas such as supply chain management and in-store functions, positioning AI as both a customer-facing and operational backbone.
The Google collaboration follows another recent AI push from Loblaw. The company disclosed last week that it is integrating its PC Express grocery delivery service into ChatGPT, enabling users to generate meal ideas, build shopping lists and purchase recommended items directly through the chatbot interface.
Together, the moves suggest Loblaw is building a multi-platform AI commerce strategy: one that spans both major ecosystems. By working with Google and OpenAI simultaneously, the retailer is placing itself at the centre of a growing competition among tech giants to own the future of shopping interfaces.
For Loblaw, the bet is that embedding itself early in those ecosystems will help preserve relevance as commerce moves beyond conventional websites and apps. The company has framed the strategy as a natural evolution of e-commerce.
