A MAJOR supermarket has launched a new AI-powered tool to help shoppers find the perfect bottle of vino.
Home of posh nosh M&S has unveiled the “Wine Finder” tool on its website and app so customers can find the tipple that best suits their palate.
M&S has launched a new Wine Finder tool on its website and app[/caption]
Shoppers have to answer a few questions on what types of wines and general flavours they like.
The tool then churns out a host of red, white, rose and sparkling options to suit their taste buds.
Bottles can be picked up at one of 500 M&S shops and 20 Foodhalls across the UK.
Shoppers just have to enter their postcode into a search bar to find the one nearest them selling their chosen tipple.
The piece of tech is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and built by PhD students, Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers.
It comes after a poll conducted by OnePoll for M&S revealed over 25% of shoppers spend over 10 minutes deciding what to choose when picking up a bottle of wine in the supermarket.
Caroline Thompson-Hill, head of beers, wine and spirits at M&S Food, said: “By utilising AI, the Wine Finder tool helps encourage customers to try different regions, grapes and bottles they’ve not considered before.
“By suggesting wines to try, we’ll help customers make decisions in stores and hopefully find some new favourites.”
Shoppers can find the new tool via marksandspencer.hw.preferabli.com or through the M&S app which is free to download via the Apple App Store or Google Play.
The tool is available in the app by clicking on the “Food” button then the “Food in Store” button.
OTHER M&S NEWS
The launch of the Wine Finder comes after a number of changes announced by M&S in recent months.
The upmarket retailer opened its first-ever clothing-only shop last Autumn in Battersea, London, after almost 100 years.
Meanwhile, the chain has confirmed it is planning to roll out self-service tills in 180 of its clothing stores by early 2028.
As of October last year, it had already introduced 28 of the self-service tills in branches.
Shoppers have been left divided after M&S started rolling out new conveyor belt checkouts across its stores too.
The posh grocer surprised customers at the back end of 2024 when it said 45 of its Food Halls would be fitted with “assisted belted checkouts”.
The new self-service devices are as big as traditional manned checkouts and include a conveyor belt alongside space to fit a trolley.
Shoppers in M&S’s London Colney branch have been able to use the technology since 2022 while its store in Shoreham has been fitted with six of the larger self-checkouts.
SUPERMARKETS USING AI
AI is more widespread across the supermarket sector than you might initially think.
For example, AI allows retailers to analyse information to accurately predict demand across their store estates.
The retail insights provider Reapp has previously used AI to predict shoppers would buy 6.7million extra packs of beers during the Euros and 1.2million more bags of crisps.
Stores can then use this data to change prices. For example, they might make booze cheaper or they may put crisps next to booze where they know shoppers are more likely to snap them up.
Some supermarkets use AI to change prices on electronic labels based on demand too.
Morrisons, Asda and Sainsbury’s have all trialled electronic shelf labels in recent years.
Retailers also get data on customers’ shopping preferences from their purchases, loyalty card information and even smart cameras that monitor which items shoppers pick up but put back in stores.
They then use it to target tailored adverts at these same shoppers.
How to save money buying alcohol
Alcohol can be pricey if you’re planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs.
It’s always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price.
Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz.
The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter.
If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers.
Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as pricerunner.com or trolley.co.uk.
Don’t forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too.
If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You’ll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile.
