Checkers tests smart shopping trolleys

Checkers is piloting smart shopping trolleys in select South African stores. The Xpress Trolley enables shoppers to scan and bag items as they move through the store, view a running total, and pay directly on the trolley without using a traditional checkout.

A built-in screen provides product details, personalized promotions, and in-store navigation to help locate items.

Developed by the ShopriteX innovation team, the trolleys were initially tested at Checkers Hyper Brackenfell. Ten trolleys are available at this store, with another 10 at Checkers Constantia.

How to use Checkers Xpress Trolley:

• Scan an Xtra Savings card below the screen mounted on the trolley to start shopping.
• Place the shopping bags provided into the trolley.
• Scan each item's barcode before placing it into the trolley.
• Track a live basket total, view product info and activate personalized promotions.
• Go to the dedicated checkout lane and pay directly from the trolley using the bank card saved on a customer's Checkers Sixty60 profile.
• Take the printed till slip and exit through the checkout gate with a concierge available for support. Shoppers do not need to visit a till point.

"This pilot allows us to reimagine the in-store journey using technology for a more frictionless shopping experience," says Neil Schreuder, chief strategy and innovation officer of Shoprite Group.

The Xpress Trolley enhances convenience, improves speed, and keeps customers in control from the moment they enter the store to the moment they leave. Smart trolleys are not about the novelty of screens on trolleys - they are about giving shoppers real-time control, creating an engaging shopping experience.

We are also excited about the potential it holds for Sixty60's in-store pickers, specifically the additional speed and accuracy with which the in-store picking process can be completed.

Insights from the trial are part of Shoprite's broader strategy to expand its omnichannel retail operations. While smart trolleys are already in use at some international supermarkets, this marks their first local trial. The retailer will use the findings from the pilot to inform its approach to future retail developments in South Africa.

The postCheckers tries out smart shopping trolleysappeared first onThe Shiro Copr.