Weis Markets deploys Instacart smart carts at select stores
A regional mid-Atlantic grocer is starting to roll out artificial intelligence-based Instacart Caper Carts.
Weis Markets is implementing AI-equipped Caper Carts from Instacart at select locations in Pennsylvania with additional rollouts planned throughout the year. Part of the Instacart Connected Stores platform, Caper Carts are equipped with cameras, a built-in scale, and location sensors connected to Nvidia Jetson hardware which work together with an edge AI system to automatically recognize items as they are placed in the cart.
[READ MORE: Instacart offers full omnichannel experience with in-store platform]
Leveraging Caper Carts, Weis customers will be able to track their spend in real time as they shop and will have access to Caper-exclusive coupons, including on-cart, location-based digital deals that customers can clip during their shopping trip. Customers will also be able to sign up for a Weis Rewards account directly on the cart, and Weis Rewards members can also redeem loyalty benefits directly from the cart.
"Weis Markets and its associates have always been committed to delivering a best-in-class shopping experience, and Caper Carts are a meaningful step forward in that journey," said Greg Zeh, senior VP, CIO at Weis Markets. "From real-time spend tracking to on-cart coupons that make saving effortless, this technology offers our customers a convenient and frictionless shopping experience."
Weis will also launch on-cart advertising with Caper Carts. The retailer says features like a “Got everything you need?” prompt have already driven a nearly one percentage point lift in basket size on average. Weis has offered online delivery via Instacart since 2023.
"Weis Markets has spent more than 100 years delivering value, quality, and service to their communities, and we're thrilled to help them bring that commitment into the next era of grocery with Caper Carts," said David McIntosh, chief connected stores officer at Instacart.
Founded in 1912 and based in Sunbury, Penn., Weis Markets Inc. operates 197 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Virginia.
Headquartered in San Francisco, Instacart partners with more than 2,200 retail banners – representing nearly 100,000 stores – across North America. Maplebear Inc. is the registered corporate name of Instacart.
