Australian grocer Coles Supermarkets rolling out smart carts in 2025
A leading Australian grocer will be the first Asian-Pacific retailer to deploy Instacart Caper Cart smart carts.
Coles will implement the artificial intelligence-based Caper Carts solution from Instacart beginning early in 2025 with its Richmond Traders location in Melbourne. Customers will be able to take a Caper Cart at the store’s entrance and begin shopping.
Caper Carts are equipped with cameras, sensors, and a built-in scale, which work together with an edge AI system to automatically recognize items as they are placed in the cart.
Once products are added, customers can watch their running cost total, similar to an online shopping cart. Caper Carts also feature an interactive screen that tracks spending, provides access to deals, and offers product recommendations based on the customer's location in the store and the carts' contents.
Caper Carts will sync to Coles’ Flybuys rewards program, allowing customers to earn points as they shop. Customers can scan their Flybuys card or Coles app to instantly access personalized offers and view in-store specials on the trolley’s digital screen.
Equipped with gamified capabilities, customers will also have the chance to win discounts by spinning a digital wheel on the trolley’s screen at checkout.
[READ MORE: Instacart adds gamification to smart cart solution]
"As the first retailer in Australia to introduce AI-powered trolleys, we’re excited to offer our customers a convenient and engaging way to shop in-store, helping them save time, manage their budget, and checkout faster – or at their own pace,” said Coles chief digital officer Ben Hassing.
"The Coles smart trolley illustrates our omnichannel approach, leveraging digital capabilities to enrich the in-store experience," Hassing said. "We are committed to testing and learning through innovative solutions to make sure we are delivering on customer needs, increasing convenience, and helping customers discover more value through their shop at Coles."
In other international expansion of the Caper Carts solution, global discount grocery retailer Aldi is testing the technology in Austria. Caper Carts is part of the Instacart Connected Stores platform, a suite of technologies intended to help grocers build a unified, seamless and personalized experience.
"As we expand our international ambitions, we’re proud to partner with Coles Supermarkets to bring Caper Carts to Australia for the first time and look forward to offering Coles’ customers an even more personalized and seamless in-store shopping experience," said David McIntosh, chief connected stores officer at Instacart.
Coles operates more than 1,800 supermarkets and liquor stores across Australia. Based in San Francisco, Instacart partners with more than 1,500 national, regional and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 85,000 stores across North America.
