Honeywell Deploys Google Cloud AI to Transform In-Store Retail Experience

Quick Brief

• The Launch: Honeywell unveils Smart Shopping Platform with Google Cloud’s Gemini and Vertex AI, launching February 2026 for global retailers
• The Technology: Cloud-based solution integrates Honeywell Mobility Edge hardware (CS32, CT70) with Google’s AI for personalized navigation and product recommendations
• The Market: Targets $37.45 billion AI shopping assistant market projected by 2034, growing at 27% CAGR from $4.34 billion in 2025
• The Impact: Enables retailers to deploy enterprise AI without dedicated AI teams while increasing basket size and customer loyalty

Honeywell announced January 11, 2026, the commercial launch of its Smart Shopping Platform, an AI-enabled retail solution developed with Google Cloud and 66degrees that leverages Google’s Gemini models and Vertex AI platform. The cloud-based system connects retailer digital inventory data with physical store environments, offering consumers personalized product navigation, real-time comparisons, and intelligent substitution recommendations when items are unavailable. Availability begins February 2026 for enterprise retailers worldwide.

What’s New

Honeywell’s Smart Shopping Platform operates on the company’s Mobility Edge hardware and software infrastructure, specifically designed for Honeywell Android devices including the CS32 Personal Shopper and CT70 handheld computers. Consumers link loyalty accounts to receive AI-generated recommendations based on purchase history, stated preferences, complementary products, available discounts, and promotional offers. The system provides step-by-step store navigation and deploys machine learning algorithms to suggest relevant alternatives for out-of-stock products, replicating e-commerce convenience within physical retail locations.

“The Smart Shopping Platform addresses pain points of roaming through stores unable to find items, creating a better experience for shoppers,” stated David Barker, President of Honeywell Productivity Solutions and Services. Retailers gain an out-of-the-box AI implementation requiring no in-house AI expertise or dedicated specialist teams.

The platform equips retail associates with devices like the CT70 currently deployed across thousands of workers at major grocery chains, big box retailers, specialty stores, and department stores to function as instant subject matter experts. Associates access AI-powered insights to provide customized guidance, such as locating relocated products or identifying dairy-free alternatives.

Why It Matters

The collaboration positions Honeywell and Google Cloud to capture significant market share in AI-powered retail technology, projected to expand from $4.34 billion in 2025 to $37.45 billion by 2034. North America currently holds 36% of the global AI shopping assistant market, driven by established e-commerce infrastructure and early adoption of AI integration by major retailers.

Jose Gomes, Vice President of Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods at Google Cloud, emphasized the platform “helps retailers increase basket size while building deeper customer loyalty” by streamlining operations and guiding consumers through efficient shopping journeys. The solution addresses the retail industry’s shift toward personalized experiences, with consumers increasingly demanding AI-driven product discovery amid busy schedules and rising disposable incomes.

Google Cloud separately launched Vertex AI Search for commerce and conversational commerce capabilities in January 2025, reporting Bed Bath & Beyond achieved 5% revenue-per-visitor improvement using these technologies. Honeywell’s Smart Shopping Platform extends this infrastructure into physical retail environments, bridging the digital-physical divide that has limited AI deployment outside e-commerce channels.

Technical Specifications

What’s Next

Honeywell plans a phased rollout beginning February 2026, targeting grocery chains, big box stores, and specialty retailers with existing Mobility Edge device deployments. The platform extends Honeywell’s ongoing collaboration with Google Cloud to advance computing across multiple industries beyond retail.

The fashion and apparel sector represents the fastest-growing adoption segment for AI shopping assistants, with consumers demanding personalized product recommendations based on regional preferences, apparel choices, and texture specifications. Honeywell’s hardware-integrated approach positions the company to capture this vertical alongside grocery and home improvement categories where product location and substitution drive purchase decisions.

Google Cloud’s broader retail AI portfolio including Vertex AI Agent Builder, Gemini for Workspace, and NotebookLM for enterprise provides complementary tools that retailers can layer with Honeywell’s physical store solutions. The convergence of agentic AI and specialized retail hardware creates opportunities for omnichannel strategies that unify online and offline customer experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)