Pennsylvania ShopRites adding AI-powered shopping carts

(WHTM) — Several Pennsylvania ShopRite stores are adding AI-powered shopping carts to their stores.

Instacart, the leading grocery technology in North America, and Wakefern Food Corporation, the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the U.S., have unveiled their new AI-powered shopping cart, Caper Carts.

The carts feature an interactive screen and AI features that allow customers to scan items as they shop, manage their budget in real time, and check out seamlessly. The smart cart uses sensors, computer vision technology, and built-in scales to scan items and weigh produce as they are placed in the cart. The cart also allows customers to link their ShopRite Price Plus membership to apply in-store savings and deals.

To checkout, customers scan the barcode displayed on the cart’s screen at the store’s self-checkout area.

Caper Carts were first implemented at the ShopRite location in Hoboken, New Jersey, and they will be added to four ShopRite stores in Philadelphia. Stores that plan on adding the smart carts include the ShopRite’s of Morrell Plaza, Bridge & Harbison, Brookhaven, and Drexeline. The carts will also be available at a ShopRite store expected to open in Mount Kisco, New York later this year.

“We’re thrilled to expand our collaboration with Wakefern as we’ve seen remarkable customer adoption of the Caper Carts in their stores,” said David McIntosh, VP and GM of Connected Stores at Instacart. “Customers tell us they love the cart’s interactive features, like its coupon capabilities, lights, and sounds, and kids particularly enjoy spinning the gamified coupon wheel for a chance to win discounts right before checkout. For retailers – like Wakefern’s Member-owned stores – Caper Carts seamlessly plug into their operations and are uniquely customized to their brand and needs. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Wakefern to innovate the future of grocery shopping.”

“Shoppers are excited about the technology and embracing it in the stores that are using the Caper Carts. It’s another tool our Wakefern members can offer their customers who are looking for smart, convenient ways to shop and check out,” said Charlie McWeeney, Vice President of Technology, Digital and Retail at Wakefern.