en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 24th, Kingfisher Group has entered into a multi-year agreement with Google Cloud, aiming to revolutionize the way customers browse and purchase DIY products online through artificial intelligence technology. This collaboration marks a shift from traditional e-commerce tools towards more intelligent, conversational shopping experiences, powered by smart AI.
For the retailer, which owns brands like B&Q and Castorama, this move responds to changing consumer expectations, where speed, relevance, and personalization have become key demands. The core of the partnership lies in rethinking how people buy home improvement products. Customers will increasingly interact with AI systems that understand context and project needs, rather than relying on basic keyword searches.
Thierry Garnier, CEO of Kingfisher Group, stated: "Through our partnership with Google Cloud, we are enabling our customers to search for and buy home improvement products with AI—delivering a fully personalized and effortless shopping experience." He added: "These investments place Kingfisher at the forefront of AI-driven shopping, as part of our ever-expanding digital ecosystem, bringing meaningful innovation and helping us meet rapidly changing customer needs."
A central part of the strategy is the launch of more advanced search capabilities using Google Cloud's AI technology. Kingfisher is adopting Vertex AI Search for Commerce to replace rigid search functions with a more natural and intuitive approach. This means shoppers can describe their needs in everyday language and receive tailored results that better match their requirements, making the experience more like a conversation with a person than a database query. Early tests at B&Q have shown positive customer responses to this fluid way of finding products.
Beyond search, the collaboration also introduces the concept of Smart Commerce. This next generation of AI not only responds to queries but proactively helps customers plan and execute projects, removing friction from inspiration to checkout. For example, a customer renovating a kitchen could receive step-by-step suggestions, cost estimates, and a shopping basket ready for direct purchase, without needing to jump between multiple pages. This is particularly valuable for less experienced DIY customers.
Matt Renner, President and Chief Revenue Officer of Google Cloud, added: "Kingfisher is setting a new standard for how retailers can leverage innovative cloud solutions to solve complex customer problems." He noted: "By integrating Google Cloud's Vertex AI and preparing their data for an intelligent future, they are creating truly useful, conversational shopping experiences. We are proud to be part of Kingfisher's digital transformation journey in the UK and Europe."
Kingfisher has been investing in its digital infrastructure for years, with e-commerce now accounting for over one-fifth of its total sales. The in-house AI platform Athena, launched in 2023, has laid the groundwork for many innovations, while the modernization of the core data platform Nucleus is supporting future AI development. Simultaneously, closer collaboration with Google's Ads and Shopping teams helps optimize how the retailer reaches customers online. Overall, these efforts indicate the retailer is positioning itself for the next phase of digital commerce.
