Australian supermarket chain Coles has become the first retailer in the Asia Pacific region to introduce Instacart AI-powered smart trolleys, known as Caper Carts.
The smart trolleys are now available at Coles’ Richmond Traders store in Melbourne, Australia.
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The Caper Cart, featuring AI, cameras and a built-in scale, identifies items as they are placed inside, allowing shoppers to bag their purchases while tracking their spending in real-time.
The system mirrors the convenience of online shopping carts by providing a running total and enabling direct checkout from the trolley itself.
The smart cart also syncs with Coles’ Flybuys rewards programme, enabling customers to earn points while shopping.
Shoppers can scan their loyalty card or use the Coles app to access personalised offers and view special promotions on the trolley’s digital display.
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By GlobalDataPost-purchase, customers can review their “buy it again” list on the Coles app or website, maintaining continuity between in-store and online shopping.
The introduction of gamified features adds an element of engagement to the shopping journey. Customers can spin a digital wheel displayed on the trolley’s screen at checkout for a chance to win discounts, blending entertainment with utility.
Coles digital products general manager Ben Levinson stated: “We’re proud to be the first retailer in Australia to offer AI-powered smart trolleys to our customers, bringing our omnichannel vision to life.
“Caper Carts help our customers bag as they shop, manage their budget and save time with faster checkout – all while providing a more personalised shopping experience. We’re always looking for new ways to further improve the customer shopping experience and are excited to introduce smart shopping trolleys as another convenient way to shop our aisles.”
Caper Carts represent a component of Instacart’s Connected Stores suite, a collection of technologies aimed at unifying online and physical retail environments.
Instacart chief connected stores officer David McIntosh stated: “Caper Carts are transforming the chore of shopping into an adventure, leveraging Edge AI-powered systems to make the shopping experience fun and personalised. We’re excited to bring Caper Carts to Australia in partnership with Coles and continue to collaborate to deliver the best possible in-store shopping experience, bringing what customers love best about online shopping into the store, and vice-versa.”
In November 2024, Instacart revealed the adoption of Caper Carts in the US by grocers such as Bowman’s Market, Maurer’s Market IGA and Neiman’s Family Market.
