Morrisons has become the first supermarket in the UK to introduce a new type of shopping trolley that uses artificial intelligence to assist shoppers. The rollout began today (Tuesday, July 28) at the Morrisons store in Preston.
How the Smart Trolleys Work
The Caper smart trolleys, developed by Instacart, 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.
Features and Loyalty Integration
The trolleys also offer relevant product recommendations and allow 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.
Partnership and Quotes
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." He added: "Customers want technology that helps them stay on budget and discover products they love, and Caper smart trolleys deliver both, directly in the aisle."
Gordon Macpherson, Productivity Director at Morrisons, commented: "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." He said: "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."
Trial in Preston
The agreement with the store in Preston marks Instacart's first retail partnership in the UK for its smart trolley. Macpherson noted that Morrisons is proud to be the first UK retailer to bring this technology to customers and looks forward to seeing how shoppers in Preston and across Lancashire respond to the in-store trial.
