Morrisons is making a significant change to its shopping trolleys, introducing high-tech Caper Carts equipped with artificial intelligence. The trial is currently underway at the Morrisons Riversway store in Preston, Lancashire, giving shoppers a first look at the futuristic carts.
How the new trolleys work
The Caper Carts feature touchscreens, sensors, built-in scales, and cameras that automatically identify products as customers place them in the basket. The technology integrates with Morrisons More cards to apply offers and discounts in real time. As shoppers move through the store, they can track their running total and speed up the checkout process by generating a barcode for self-checkout.
Anti-theft and design features
The carts include anti-theft technology that flashes red to alert staff if someone attempts to leave without paying. Designed by Instacart, the weatherproof trolleys operate like standard supermarket carts and charge automatically when grouped together.
Customer response and future rollout
Morrisons Productivity Director Gordon Macpherson said: "We're constantly looking for ways to bring innovation to the weekly shop to enhance the experience for our customers. We're excited about bringing the first fully-integrated AI-powered trolleys in the UK to a first store soon." The trial will gauge customer reaction before any wider rollout across the supermarket's network.
In other news, Morrisons recently announced plans to install stoma-friendly toilets in all 497 of its full-sized stores with accessible bathrooms, featuring wall hooks and supply shelves to improve accessibility.
