Major supermarket makes huge change to trolleys

A major UK supermarket is testing so-called 'smart cart' trolleys for the very first time. Waitrose is trialling the AI-powered system which recognises and keeps track of products while customers shop.

The overall process is mostly straightforward, except shoppers will need to take extra steps for loose produce, bakery items and discounted yellow-stickered products.

Customers simply attach a handle-bar like device to their regular Waitrose trolley. Performing a similar function to scan, pay and go handsets, the AI vision system will identify every item placed into or removed from the trolley. A real-time tally of products and prices will allow shoppers to keep track of purchases.

A Waitrose spokeswoman explained that unlike their existing scan, pay and go handsets, the brand new trolley technologywill have a bigger screen. Shoppers start off by picking up a device from the charging bank at the shop entrance. Simply scanning their loyalty card will trigger a release.

Just before popping an item into the trolley, shoppers will need to scan the barcode - it's no different to how products are scanned at self-scan checkouts. Items are verified by back-facing cameras.

Customers will need to perform an extra step for loose produce and bakery items though. Loose produce needs to be weighed up at one of the in-store scales. These can usually be found within the aisles.

As for baked goods, shoppers can simply select them from the device's screen. Shoppers will also need to scan the yellow stickers on reduced goods before placing them in their trolley.

The "very small scale trial" is part of Waitrose's exploration of "frictionless payment" options alongside conventional checkouts. The Waitrose spokeswoman explained that these options were being explored "while still maintaining conventional checkouts for customers who value interaction with our partners."

From a retail perspective, the technology promises several advantages. Companies will be able to collect key data, including exactly how long customers spend in aisles and their in-store shopping routes. The Israeli supplier Shopic even suggested the advertising potential - screens can be used to show "contextually relevant ads and offers."