FairPrice Trials Smart Trolleys as Part of Its Stores of Tomorrow

Millions of dollars allocated to pilot over 20 new technologies annually over next 3 years

- Irene Tham

For a few weeks now, some shoppers at FairPrice Finest in Sengkang Grand Mall have been using trolleys mounted with touchscreens and barcode scanners.

The digitally decked-out trolleys offer in-store navigation and personalized recommendations, and let shoppers check out without queueing at cashier counters.

Meet Smart Carts, which began trials in May in the Sengkang outlet.

The trolleys and several other digital in-store fittings are part of a Store of Tomorrow initiative that FairPrice unveiled at the National Retail Federation's Big Show Asia Pacific 2025, which is being held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre from June 3 to 5.

Mr Vipul Chawla, FairPrice Group chief executive, told The Straits Times that a budget "in the millions" has been allocated to pilot more than 20 new technologies annually over the next three years till 2028 to enhance the supermarket's omnichannel shopping experience.

The budget also covers recently hired software engineers and data scientists as it seeks to reinvent itself digitally to deepen its engagement of millions of shoppers in Singapore.

"In 2022, the management team and I looked at where the points of friction were. Then we worked it back-to-front to see how we could use technology and training to make the whole interaction seamless," said Mr Chawla, who succeeded Mr Seah Kian Peng to helm Singapore's largest supermarket chain that year.

Processes earmarked for change include store navigation, promotion alerts, product recommendation and payment.

Many of FairPrice's 164 supermarkets currently feature self-checkout counters, the Scan & Go function on the FairPrice app, as well as ample signage to guide shoppers to promotion items and store sections.