Morrisons has confirmed a major change to its supermarket trolleys, introducing AI-powered smart trolleys at its Preston store. The new Caper trolleys, developed in partnership with Instacart, mark the first UK retail partnership for the North American grocery technology company.
How the smart trolleys work
The trolleys automatically recognise items as they are placed inside, including weighing fresh produce on the spot. This allows shoppers to bag items as they shop, saving time and making checkout quicker and easier.
A touchscreen on the trolley displays a running basket total to help customers stay on budget, shows relevant product recommendations, and allows shoppers to scan their Morrisons More Card to access loyalty savings and promotions throughout their shop.
Checkout and payment
Shoppers complete payment by scanning the barcode displayed on the trolley's screen at a dedicated Caper checkout lane.
Official response
Gordon Macpherson, Productivity Director at Morrisons, said the smart trolleys give customers real-time visibility of their spending and a more "seamless experience" when navigating the aisles. He 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."
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. 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."
Availability and future rollout
The smart trolleys are already live in more than 100 cities across the US and Australia with retailers including Kroger, Wakefern Food Corp., Schnucks, and Coles. Morrisons has not confirmed if or when the trolleys might be rolled out to other UK stores.
