Smart shopping trolleys: How AI is shifting power from consumers to retailers

AT SOME point groceries will be delivered at your doorstep without ordering but based on years of shopping data collected by retailers.

- WESLEY.INTEL

The so called smart trolley, or the Xpress Trolley, by Checkers and Shoprite is an important step towards such a future. It started with the rewards card that has also been collecting data about shopping habits and behaviour.

Consumers have not yet seen the full effects of this development within the retail sector. The latest product by ShopriteX is another shiny thing launched by a group of innovators within the Shoprite Group.

They have designed the cart to let customers scan items as they shop, see a real-time running total, pay directly on the trolley, and receive in-store navigation and personalised promotions.

It is claimed that all of this is aimed at creating a smoother, tech-driven retail experience. It also means that consumers decision to buy will be heavily influenced by the retailer's technology. The shopping experience in the future will be automated. This is good for the retail sector if more adopt similar technologies.