Shoprite’s Checkers division has unveiled a high-tech innovation that could change the shopping experience forever — the smart trolley.
The new trolleys allow customers to scan products as they shop, monitor their spending in real time, and pay directly from the cart, completely bypassing checkout queues.
This innovation represents a leap forward in frictionless shopping, designed to improve efficiency and reduce waiting times. Shoppers simply link their mobile app to the trolley, fill it with items, and confirm payment at the end of their shop.
The pilot, currently being tested in select stores, has received strong interest from both consumers and retail analysts. If successful, it could pave the way for similar rollouts across Africa and potentially influence supermarkets worldwide.
Retail experts see this as a natural extension of the growing “autonomous retail” trend — a model that blends digital convenience with in-person interaction. By removing one of the most frustrating aspects of grocery shopping — queuing — Checkers may have set a new benchmark for modern supermarkets.