ShopRite expands smart cart deployment
ShopRite is deploying AI-equipped shopping carts in more stores as part of a broader plan from its parent company.
The Northeast regional grocer, a banner of retailer-owned grocery co-op Wakefern Food Corp., is adding Instacart Caper Carts at four stores in the Philadelphia area, following a recent rollout at a store in Hoboken, N.J. ShopRite, which debuted its use of the Instacart smart cart technology in June 2023, now offers it at 11 stores.
Wakefern expects more of its members in different banners (Caper Carts have also been deployed in Wakefern’s Fairway Market subsidiary) to adopt the technology over the next year, including in a new ShopRite store expected to open in Mount Kisco, N.Y. later in 2024.
Caper Carts feature an interactive screen to engage customers, track spending, provide direct access to coupons and deals through a loyalty program, and enable shoppers to check out from wherever they are in the store.
Caper Carts also deliver personalized recommendations as customers shop and gamification elements that reward consumers once a spending threshold is achieved.
In addition, the technology allows customers to link their ShopRite Price Plus loyalty membership to apply in-store savings and deals. To check out, customers scan the barcode displayed on the cart's screen at the store's self-checkout area.
ShopRite is also an available retailer through Instacart’s e-commerce delivery platform.
"Shoppers are excited about the technology and embracing it in the stores that are using the Caper Carts," said Charlie McWeeney, VP of technology, digital and retail at Wakefern. "It’s another tool our Wakefern members can offer their customers who are looking for smart, convenient ways to shop and check out."
"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," McIntosh said. "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Wakefern to innovate the future of grocery shopping."
Founded in 1946, Wakefern Food Corp. is the the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the U.S. and includes nearly 50 member families who independently own and operate hundreds of supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, and Fairway Market banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
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.