Coles is bringing grocery shopping into the future, becoming the first retailer in Australia to trial an AI-powered Smart Trolley. Developed in partnership with grocery technology company, Instacart, the Coles Smart Trolley will help customers to track their spending in real time, pack as they shop and skip the checkout line for a more efficient shopping experience.
The Coles Smart Trolley uses AI technology, sensors and an in-built scale to scan groceries directly into shopping bags, streamlining the checkout process so customers can pay on the trolley and go.
It features an interactive screen which displays current in-store specials and product aisle locations, and a running total of the trolley contents to help manage budgets. Customers who scan their Coles App or Flybuys card can also collect Flybuys points during the shop.
Coles chief digital officer, Ben Hassing, said the introduction of the Smart Trolley will showcase the company’s commitment to delivering value and convenience to customers.
“The Coles Smart Trolley illustrates our omnichannel approach, leveraging digital capabilities to enrich the in-store experience,” said Hassing.
“We are committed to testing and learning through innovative solutions to make sure we are delivering on customer needs, increasing convenience, and helping customers discover more value through their shop at Coles.”
The technology will be trialled at Coles Richmond Traders in Melbourne from January 2025, marking the beginning of a partnership between Coles and Instacart.
Instacart chief connected stores officer, David McIntosh, said the partnership with Coles represented an exciting entry into the Asia-Pacific market.
“At Instacart, we have spent the last decade empowering retailers with the technologies they need to better serve their customers any way they choose to shop, and we’re delighted to partner with Coles Group to bring the Caper Cart technology to Australia and APAC for the first time,” said McIntosh.
“With cost-of-living pressures top of mind, we’ve found customers especially love the way the digital screen on the trolley helps them to see their running total and manage their budget in real-time along with discovering further discounts and money off their total by spinning the digital wheel.”
