Morrisons in Preston has become the first UK retailer to trial AI-powered smart trolleys from Instacart. The Caper trolleys automatically recognise items as they are placed in the basket, including weighing fresh produce on the spot.
Shoppers can bag items while shopping, saving time and making checkout quicker. A touchscreen display shows a running total to help customers stay on budget, makes product recommendations, and allows scanning of the Morrisons More Card for loyalty savings and promotions.
How the trolleys work
At the end of their trip, customers scan the barcode on the trolley's screen at a dedicated Caper checkout lane to complete payment.
Gordon Macpherson, Productivity Director at Morrisons, said: "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."
In-store trial
Macpherson added: "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."
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."
McIntosh continued: "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."
