Calgary Co-op is bringing artificial intelligence to the deli counter.
The retailer has partnered with CGS Immersive to launch an AI-powered charcuterie kiosk at its Oakridge location, giving shoppers an in-store “charcuterie sommelier” during the busiest entertaining season of the year.
Powered by CGS’s Cicero AI engine, the touchscreen kiosk guides shoppers through a natural dialogue. Customers share budget, guest count, and flavour preferences, and the system instantly generates a personalized charcuterie board built from real-time store inventory.
“What began as a simple idea just seven months ago has now become the first AI-powered sommelier in North America,” said Chris Twitchell of CGS Immersive. “This truly is a transformative step forward for the customer experience. This solution not only showcases the power of AI in retail but also sets a new standard for how technology can guide, personalize, and elevate everyday decisions.”
CGS Immersive’s Cicero Charcuterie demo.
The kiosk presents individually priced cheeses, meats, fruits, crackers, and pairings, then prints a shopping list — or deli staff can assemble the entire board for pickup.
The pilot hits a category with outsized economics. Specialty cheese carries 40–60% margins, yet many shoppers are unsure what to buy or how much to serve. December is peak season for entertaining, charcuterie boards, and specialty food purchases.
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According to CGS, 92% of shoppers want signage or staff guidance, but deli teams are stretched. The kiosk fills that gap, delivering confident recommendations and instant pricing without waiting for assistance.
Younger shoppers are also influencing the category. Millennials and Gen Z expect personalized, interactive retail — even in traditional aisles — and the kiosk is designed to meet those expectations.
Beyond sales, the system generates category insights that help stores forecast, order, and merchandise more effectively.
Operationally, the kiosk provides consistent recommendations regardless of staffing levels and includes step-by-step assembly guides to support newer or seasonal deli staff.
For Calgary Co-op, the Oakridge installation is a test case for bringing interactive, high-margin, and data-driven experiences into the physical store.
If successful, shoppers could soon see similar kiosks across Calgary Co-op locations, transforming a once-intimidating category into a confident, curated, and turnkey purchase.
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