Retail giant Checkers has become the first supermarket in the country to introduce smart trolleys, officially called the Xpress Trolley.
Checkers introduces smart trolleys to South Africa
The trial is taking place at two stores in the Western Cape, marking the first time this kind of shopping technology has been tested in South Africa.
The Checkers smart trolleys South Africa project aims to make grocery shopping faster and easier by allowing customers to scan products as they shop, track their spending in real-time, and pay directly on the trolley without needing to queue at a till.
The trolleys include a built-in screen that does more than just show prices. The system helps customers navigate the store by showing where products are located. This reduces the time spent looking for items and makes shopping more efficient.
The real-time display of basket totals also helps shoppers keep track of their budget while moving through the store.
Neil Schreuder, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at the Shoprite Group, said:
“This pilot allows us to reimagine the in-store journey using technology for a more frictionless shopping experience.”
He added that the smart trolleys are not just about the screens, but about giving customers control and speed from start to finish.
The Xpress Trolleys were first tested by Checkers employees at the Brackenfell Hyper in mid-August. Following this trial, 10 trolleys were released for customers at the Brackenfell Hyper and another 10 at Checkers Constantia.
The smart trolley pilot forms part of the Shoprite Group’s broader strategy to become South Africa’s most seamless retailer, offering customers convenience both online and in-store.
While smart trolleys are already used in some international supermarkets, this is the first time they are being trialled in South Africa.
Schreuder said the innovation could also help Sixty60’s in-store pickers – the workers who collect items for delivery – by improving speed and accuracy in fulfilling online grocery orders.
“The Xpress Trolley enhances convenience, improves speed, and keeps customers in control from the moment they enter the store to the moment they leave,” Schreuder said.
How the Xpress Trolley works
The Xpress Trolley is designed to replace the traditional in-store checkout process. Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
- Shoppers start by scanning their Xtra Savings card on the screen attached to the trolley.
- Reusable shopping bags are placed inside the trolley.
- Each item is scanned before being placed into the trolley, with the screen showing the price and a running total.
- The screen can also display personalised promotions and detailed product information.
- At the end of the shop, customers head to a dedicated checkout lane where payment is made directly on the trolley using the bank card linked to their Checkers Sixty60 profile.
- A printed till slip is generated, and shoppers can then exit the store with the assistance of a concierge if needed.
Checkers plans to study customer feedback during this trial before making decisions on whether to expand the Checkers smart trolleys South Africa rollout to more stores.
