Instacart looks to enhance Caper Carts omnichannel grocery store shopping experience

Instacart has launched new savings features for its AI powered Caper Carts.

Building on Caper Cart’s real-time budgeting capabilities, these updates add Electronic Benefits Transfer for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (EBT SNAP) item eligibility tracking, on-cart loyalty sign-up, omnichannel savings, and improved product recommendations.

“Caper Carts are transforming everyday grocery trips into a more affordable, rewarding, and personalised experience for customers. With the ability to track EBT SNAP eligibility, access digital coupons, and sign up for loyalty programmes directly on the cart, we’re giving customers powerful new ways to save right in the aisle,” says David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart.

“Retailers are also seeing how Caper Carts drive omnichannel purchases, grow basket size, and strengthen loyalty. In just the last year, we’ve nearly tripled the number of stores with Caper Carts spanning nearly 100 cities across 15 states, underscoring the growing demand to bring digital convenience into the grocery aisles.”

Caper Carts are available across US and international retailers including Coles, Kroger, Schnucks, and Wakefern. The new savings features are available now at select retailers, including McKeever’s and some supermarket banners that are part of the retailer owned cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. 

“Caper Carts have made shopping more efficient for our customers, while helping them stay on budget,” says Tim Cosens, Chief Technology Officer at McKeever’s. “With new savings features like EBT SNAP tracking and Cart Cash, we’re excited to continue offering ways for our customers to manage their budgets and maximise benefits as they shop.” 

“When customers shop with Caper Carts, our Wakefern Members want to provide them with a convenient way to access their EBT SNAP benefits. They offer convenience and discretion, letting customers monitor their running grocery bill as they shop,” says Christopher McCrae, Digital Customer and Loyalty at Wakefern Food Corp.

“We’ve heard first-hand from customers that they love how easy it is to access coupons and shop at their own pace with Caper Carts. We continue to expand our Caper Cart footprint across more Wakefern Member stores, as we believe every customer deserves a seamless, personalised shopping experience.” 

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Smart carts will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now closed for entries with our finalists and shortlists being announced this week, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.