Morrisons has become the first supermarket in the UK to trial a new kind of shopping trolley that uses AI technology. The trial is taking place at the Preston store and marks Instacart's first retail partnership in Britain for its Caper smart trolleys.
How the Smart Trolley Works
The Caper smart trolleys automatically recognise items as they are loaded, including weighing fresh produce instantly. Shoppers can pack their groceries as they go, making payment faster and more convenient. A touchscreen on the trolley displays a running basket total to help customers track spending.
The trolley also offers relevant product suggestions and allows shoppers to scan their Morrisons More Card to unlock loyalty savings and promotions during their visit. Once the shop is complete, customers scan the barcode on the trolley's screen at a dedicated Caper checkout lane to pay.
Quotes 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." He added that customers want technology that helps them stay on budget and discover products they love, and that Caper smart trolleys deliver both directly in the aisle.
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." He noted that the trolleys give real-time visibility of spending, instant access to More Card savings, and a more seamless experience.
Macpherson added: "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."
