Morrisons is set to become the first supermarket in the UK to introduce a new type of shopping trolley that utilises AI to assist shoppers. The agreement with the store in Preston marks Instacart’s first retail partnership in the country for its smart trolley.
Caper smart trolleys automatically identify items as they are placed inside, including weighing fresh produce on the spot. Customers can bag their shopping as they go, making the checkout process quicker and more straightforward. The trolley’s touchscreen displays a running basket total to help customers manage their spending.
Morrisons announced that the new trolleys are being launched as of today (Tuesday, July 28).
It also offers relevant product recommendations and allows shoppers to scan their Morrisons More Card to instantly unlock loyalty savings and promotions throughout their visit.
Upon completing their shop, customers simply scan the barcode shown on the trolley’s screen at a dedicated Caper checkout lane to finalise payment.
David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart, said: “Caper smart trolleys represent a new era for in-store grocery shopping – one where the physical store is as intelligent and personalised as the best online experience.
“Customers want technology that helps them stay on budget and discover products they love, and Caper smart trolleys deliver both, directly in the aisle.
“We’re proud to bring this to the UK for the first time through our partnership with Morrisons, who share our belief that technology should make the weekly shop not just easier, but genuinely more enjoyable.”
Gordon Macpherson, Productivity Director at Morrisons, added: “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re always looking for ways to make their weekly shop easier, more rewarding, and more enjoyable, to give them more reasons to shop at Morrisons.
“Caper smart trolleys do exactly that, giving customers real-time visibility of their spending, instant access to their More Card savings, and a more seamless experience in the aisle.
“We’re proud to be the first UK retailer to bring this technology to our customers, and we look forward to seeing how shoppers in Preston and across Lancashire respond to this innovative new trolley in this in-store trial.”