Sobeys speeds up payment – on four wheels

A national Canadian supermarket retailer is rolling out automated checkout via shopping cart.

Sobeys is deploying artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled Caper smart carts, which streamline checkout while providing nearby deals, tailored recommendations, a guided store map, and recipes through an interactive screen. A tablet mounted on the cart uses image recognition technology to identify products customers remove from the shelves, and sensors place them on a digital shopping list once they are in the cart. 

Weight sensors automatically weigh and assign prices to produce items. When customers are ready to check out, they pay via a mobile card reading device attached to the cart and receive a texted digital receipt.

Sobeys is currently live with Caper smart cart technology at a store in Oakville, Ontario, as part of a new digital approach to grocery shopping.

"The best Canadian brands strive to be world-class by thinking ahead and placing their bets on unique innovations," said Mathieu Lacoursiere, VP, retail support at Sobeys Inc. "We're constantly looking for new ways to evolve the grocery shopping experience. Through our analysis of future retail trends, we are extremely excited to work with Caper. The Caper carts will enhance our customers' shopping experience and give our in-store teammates more time to engage with customers over product and new foods. This is a unique way for us to learn more from our customers directly."

Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1,500 stores in all 10 Canadian provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy and Lawton's Drug Stores, as well as more than 350 retail fuel locations.