Colruyt Group rolls out self-scanning smart carts to additional stores following pilot project

Colruyt Group is rolling out its smart cart self-scanning shopping trolley to Belgian stores in Kessel-Lo and Waterloo. This follows an initial launch at a location in Halle.

Geert Elen, Head of Innovation at Colruyt Group, says: “We listened to our customers and developed our smart cart tailored to them. Doing the weekly shopping efficiently, keeping control of the budget, and saving time are particularly important to our customers. Market research shows that customers cite these as the major benefits of the smart cart. In addition, they enjoy using the technology.”

Elen adds: “Moreover, a smart shopping cart has a loyal following. When we look at users on a weekly basis, we see that eight out of ten customers have used the cart before and are now familiar with it. During peak times such as Friday and Saturday, we see that customers even wait to use a smart cart. We therefore look forward to making more of them available to our customers in the future and thus further increasing usage.”

NCR Voyix

Colruyt Group has selected NCR Voyix as a platform partner. The tie up will see the retailer replace its current system with the Voyix Commerce Platform.

In a LinkedIn post, NCR Voyix said: “This milestone reflects the continued trust leading retailers place in our unified platform strategy. We look forward to beginning our work with Colruyt Group.”

“With EuroShop 2026 approaching, momentum across Europe is stronger than ever. We’re energised by the conversations shaping the future of retail and the opportunity to help move the industry forward. More to come.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Smart carts will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.