Morrisons has become the first UK supermarket to introduce AI-powered trolleys, partnering with American tech firm Instacart to launch the Caper smart trolley. The new shopping experience debuts this week at a Morrisons store in Preston.
How the smart trolleys work
The trolleys use artificial intelligence to automatically recognise items as they are placed inside and can weigh fresh produce on the spot. Shoppers can bag items as they go, saving time at the checkout. A touchscreen displays a running basket total and offers relevant product recommendations, identifying deals customers might miss. The screen also allows shoppers to scan their Morrisons More Card to unlock loyalty savings and promotions during their trip.
At the end, customers scan the barcode shown on the trolley's screen at a dedicated Caper checkout lane to complete payment.
Executives comment on the 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. 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. 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."
