Albertsons Companies has installed an automated and contactless grocery PickUp kiosk on a pilot basis, according to a press release. The kiosk, located at one of its Jewel-Osco stores in Chicago, demonstrates continued expansion of the company's e-commerce business and commitment to providing easy service through its websites and apps.

The automated, temperature-controlled kiosk, created by Cleveron, provides a contactless pickup experience. Customers who select the "Kiosk PickUp" option will be offered two-hour time slots during which to pick up their groceries.

When customers arrive at the kiosk, they scan a code on their phone and their groceries are robotically delivered to the front of the unit for pickup. The unit features two temperature zones — regular and a deep freeze. A customer's order can be stored in two different zones and still be delivered in the same console for pick up.

The kiosk in Chicago is currently fulfilling orders, and the company plans to install a second unit at a Bay Area Safeway in the near future.

"We are supercharging our digital and omnichannel offerings to serve customers however they want, whenever they want," Chris Rupp, EVP and chief customer and digital officer at Albertsons Companies, said in the release. "This innovative and contactless PickUp kiosk makes it even easier for customers to shop with us in a way that is convenient for them."

The kiosk, installed by Telaid, joins a growing lineup of customer-centric services offered by Cleveron to provide contactless fulfillment. In October, Albertsons installed PickUp lockers at several Jewel-Osco stores. The company already offers delivery and drive up and go options through its websites and apps, and has relationships with third-party operators to provide delivery options in as fast as two hours.

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