The trolleys, branded as Xpress Trolleys, come fitted with digital screens that allow shoppers to scan items as they pick them, track a running total of their spending, and even complete payment directly on the cart without queuing at the checkout counter. The device also offers in-store navigation, a feature intended to simplify movement through large supermarket aisles.
Although similar innovations have been trialled in markets such as the United States, Australia, and Chile, this marks the first attempt to roll out smart trolley technology in South Africa. Shoprite confirmed that an initial round of testing began in mid-August among office employees at a Checkers outlet in Cape Town. The retailer has now extended the pilot, making 20 of the futuristic carts available to customers across two of its stores.
The launch underscores Checkers’ aggressive strategy to position itself as a frontrunner in the country’s competitive upmarket grocery segment. For several years, the brand has sought to chip away at Woolworths’ dominance among mid-to-affluent shoppers. Both retailers have poured significant investment into sleek store refurbishments, premium product offerings, and cutting-edge retail technology.
For Shoprite, the smart trolley initiative is part of its broader ambition “to become South Africa’s most profitable and seamless omnichannel retailer.” By merging the efficiency of digital shopping with the tactile experience of in-store retail, Checkers aims to redefine how South Africans approach grocery shopping.
If successful, the trial could set a precedent for wider adoption of smart retail technology across the country’s supermarket landscape, reshaping the future of the South African shopping experience.