Morrisons has begun trialling a new type of shopping trolley powered by artificial intelligence, becoming the first UK supermarket to introduce the technology. The trial started on Tuesday, July 28, at the Morrisons store in Preston.
How the smart trolleys work
The Caper smart trolleys automatically recognise items as they are placed inside, including weighing fresh produce on the spot. Shoppers can bag their groceries as they go, making the checkout process faster and more straightforward.
The trolley's touchscreen displays a running basket total to help customers keep track of their spending. The system also provides relevant product suggestions and allows shoppers to scan their Morrisons More Card to instantly access loyalty savings and promotions throughout their visit.
Checkout process
Once their shop is complete, customers simply scan the barcode displayed on the trolley's screen at a dedicated Caper checkout lane to complete payment. The partnership with Instacart marks the company's first retail collaboration in the UK for its smart trolley technology.
Reaction from Instacart and Morrisons
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," he added. "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, 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."
"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," Macpherson continued. "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."
