Wakefern ready to roll out more AI-powered shopping carts

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After launching artificial intelligence-powered carts at nearly a dozen of its ShopRite supermarkets over the past two-and-a-half years, Wakefern Food Corp. is ramping up rollout of the technology.

The Keasbey-based retailer-owned cooperative says it will continue working with Instacart to bring the on-demand delivery platform’s Caper Cart to five locations in the Philadelphia area as well as a soon-to-open store in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Equipped with scales, sensors, touchscreens and computer vision, Caper Cart automatically recognizes and rings up groceries. The tech also provides shopping recommendations and assists with store navigation.

Additionally, customers can link their ShopRite Price Plus membership to apply in-store savings and deals. Users also have the ability to checkout by scanning a barcode displayed on the cart’s screen at the store’s self-checkout area.

ShopRite began piloting Caper Carts a few months after Instacart’s 2021 acquisition of the technology. To date, 11 stores have added the smart shopping carts as an option for customers — and Wakefern expects more of its members to adopt the technology in coming months.

Within New Jersey, Caper Carts are available for use at ShopRite stores in Hoboken, Spotswood, Mullica Hill and Bloomfield.

Another tool

Founded in 1946, Wakefern’s 48 member companies include ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage, Dearborn Market and Fairway Market. The organization owns and operates 365 stores across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

According to Wakefern, stores installing Caper Carts this month include:

• ShopRite of Morrell Plaza in Philadelphia
• ShopRite of Bridge & Harbison in Philadelphia
• ShopRite of Brookhaven in Brookhaven
• ShopRite of Drexeline in Drexel Hill

The carts are also planned for a new ShopRite store expected to open in Mount Kisco, N.Y., later this year, Wakefern said.

Charlie McWeeney, vice president of technology, digital and retail at Wakefern, commented, “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.”

David McIntosh, vice president and general manager of Connected Stores, Instacart’s omnichannel solutions initiative, said, “We’re thrilled to expand our collaboration with Wakefern as we’ve seen remarkable customer adoption of the Caper Carts in their stores.”

“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,” he said.