Sainsbury’s has launched a new AI-powered shopping list feature as part of an overhaul of its app.
The supermarket’s new SmartLists tool allows customers to create shopping lists by typing, speaking or uploading a photograph of the products they need.
Shoppers can also enter meal ideas, such as ingredients for spaghetti bolognese, with the technology automatically matching their requests to products sold by Sainsbury’s.
The feature displays available Nectar Prices, allowing customers to compare products and manage their spending before adding items directly to their online shopping trolley.
SmartLists also includes a Product Finder function to help customers locate items in stores.
The launch forms part of a wider redesign of the Sainsbury’s app, which now combines online grocery shopping, ChopChop rapid delivery, SmartShop, SmartLists and Nectar services in one place.
The retailer has also integrated its in-store SmartShop service into the main app, removing the need for customers to switch between separate applications.
Sainsbury’s director of product Ben Edge said: “SmartLists is designed to take the effort out of creating and buying a shopping list, whether customers are typing, speaking or taking a picture of what they need.
“Alongside this, by bringing more of our services together in one app, we’re making it easier for customers to plan their shop, build their basket and find products in store, however and whenever they choose to shop with us.”
The update follows Sainsbury’s wider investment in digital technology and automation, which has included expanding SmartShop to more stores and introducing machine-learning technology to improve stock forecasting.
Earlier this year, the supermarket said its grocery online sales had increased 13 per cent in the year to 28 February 2026, while its on-demand delivery business grew 69 per cent to more than £700m.
Sainsbury’s also established an AI Centre of Excellence as part of its efforts to introduce the technology across customer service, supply chain operations and colleague productivity.
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