Afresh, the leading fresh technology company, today announced the nationwide deployment of its Fresh Replenishment solution across all Albertsons Cos. stores, including Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Vons, and ACME. The technology, already implemented in bakery, deli, meat, seafood, and produce departments, leverages patent-pending AI and data modeling to match demand with orders for thousands of perishable items, from cakes to flank steak and broccoli to deli self-service bars.
This rollout marks a major milestone in Afresh’s partnership with Albertsons Cos., which began in 2022, reinforcing Afresh’s leadership in fresh operations automation and the retailer’s digital transformation.
“Our partnership with Afresh has been a true game-changer in modernizing our fresh operations,” said Michelle Larson, EVP and Chief Merchandising Officer at Albertsons Cos. “This technology empowers our store teams to keep customer favorites in stock and deliver the freshest products to our communities.”
Department-Specific AI Optimization
Bakery: Afresh resolves the challenge of bulk item IDs by predicting demand at the item level—chocolate, glazed, or sprinkled donuts—ensuring correct replenishment for each variety, even when sales data is aggregated.
Deli: Using recipe-based AI modeling, Afresh accounts for both finished products and constituent ingredients, managing complex orders like turkey sandwiches or in-store prepared whole chickens while forecasting demand for deli combo meals with multiple substitution options.
Meat and Seafood: Afresh connects subprimals to sellable cuts, mapping ribeye steaks and roasts back to the rib subprimal, enabling precise inventory tracking, reduced waste, and smarter production planning.
Produce: For high-perishability, random-weight items such as bananas or melons, Afresh’s AI optimizes inventory, reduces waste, and ensures quality stock on shelves—boosting sales and customer satisfaction.
Beyond in-store operations, Albertsons Cos. implemented Afresh’s DC Forecast across all fresh distribution centers last year. The tool provides buyers with daily demand forecasts, complementing Fresh Replenishment and enhancing supply chain efficiency between suppliers and stores.
“Our collaboration with Albertsons Cos. has been foundational to our growth,” said Matt Schwartz, CEO and co-founder of Afresh. “This department-by-department rollout demonstrates our ability to deliver a first-of-its-kind, scalable solution for modern, sustainable grocery operations.”
The nationwide rollout highlights the growing role of AI in optimizing perishable inventory, reducing waste, and enhancing shopper experience in grocery retail, setting a new benchmark for fresh operations across the industry.
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