South African retail chain Checkers, owned by the Shoprite Group, is trialing new “smart” shopping trolleys that let customers scan items and pay for their groceries directly from the cart. The Checkers Xpress Trolley, developed by the group’s innovation department, ShopriteX, is being tested at two stores in the Western Cape.
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The new trolleys are a major step toward creating a frictionless, technology-led in-store experience. With a built-in screen, the trolley allows shoppers to scan items as they shop, track a live running total, and view product details and personalized promotions. The screen can even help with in-store navigation, guiding customers to products on their shopping list.
How the Xpress Trolley Works
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- The process is designed to be simple and seamless:
- Shoppers begin by scanning their Xtra Savings card.
- They then scan the barcode of each item before placing it in their bag within the trolley.
- Once done, they can pay directly on the trolley using a bank card saved to their Checkers Sixty60 profile.
- Finally, they can exit through a dedicated lane with a printed till slip, completely bypassing the traditional checkout line.
According to Neil Schreuder, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Shoprite Group, the pilot is an effort to “reimagine the in-store journey using technology.” He added that the trolleys are about giving shoppers “real-time control, creating a compelling shopping experience.” The company also sees potential for the trolleys to improve the speed and accuracy of in-store picking for its Sixty60 online delivery service.
