Grocery technology company Instacart and Coles Supermarkets to launch smart trolleys in Australia
Instacart and Australia’s Coles Supermarkets have announced that Caper Carts, the former’s AI powered smart trolleys, will be coming to Melbourne, starting in early 2025 with its Richmond Traders location in Victoria. This marks Instacart’s first retail partnership that brings Caper Carts to the APAC region.
Customers can grab a trolley at the store’s entrance and start shopping. Caper Carts are equipped with AI, cameras, and a built-in scale, which work together to automatically recognise items as they are added to the trolley.
They enable customers to bag as they shop and watch their running total. At the end of their shopping, customers can checkout directly from the trolley.
Caper Carts will sync to Coles’ Flybuys rewards programme, allowing customers to earn points as they shop. People can scan their Flybuys card or Coles app to instantly access personalised offers and view in-store specials on the trolley’s digital screen. Equipped with gamified capabilities, customers will also have the chance to win discounts by spinning a digital wheel on the trolley’s screen at checkout.
“As the first retailer in Australia to introduce AI powered trolleys, we’re excited to offer our customers a convenient and engaging way to shop in-store, helping them save time, manage their budget, and checkout faster – or at their own pace,” says Coles Chief Digital Officer, Ben Hassing.
“The Coles smart trolley illustrates our omnichannel approach, leveraging digital capabilities to enrich the in-store experience. 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.”
“Instacart has spent the last decade enabling retailers with the technologies they need to better serve their customers any way they choose to shop. We’re now bringing personalisation and convenience into the store and delivering technologies that power an omnichannel experience for grocers of all sizes and markets,” says David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart.
“As we expand our international ambitions, we’re proud to partner with Coles Supermarkets to bring Caper Carts to Australia for the first time and look forward to offering Coles’ customers an even more personalised and seamless in-store shopping experience.”
2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Grocery technology is a key focus area for the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, which are now closed for entries.
The awards, sponsored by Vista Technology Support, Scala, CADS, 3D Cloud, Brightpearl by Sage’s Lightning 50, Business France, and Retail Technology Show 2025, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Key 2024 dates
Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed
30th October-6th November: Judging days
Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.
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