New Version of Smarter Shopping Cart Coming to Market

A new version of the smarter shopping cart will be coming to a nearby market this fall. The latest embodiment, known as Caper Carts, is the result of partnerships and technological innovation by Instacart Inc. These carts will be able to track purchases as shoppers navigate through the store, aiming to make it easier for shoppers to skip the checkout lines.

The implementation of smarter checkout technology is predicted to process over $387 billion in worldwide transactions by 2025. While advances in computer vision, machine learning, and AI modeling have improved consumer acceptance, there is still work to be done to create a friction-free shopping experience.

Amazon Inc. has been using various technologies in its retail storefronts for several years. They have integrated these technologies into their Go stores, Fresh grocery stores, and intend to expand to all Whole Foods stores. Amazon’s technology includes smartphone apps for checkout, palm-reading apps, and contactless apps that gained popularity during the pandemic.

On the other hand, Instacart takes a different approach by incorporating their technology directly into the shopping carts. With proprietary technology, the carts can scan items without shoppers needing to manually scan or weigh each one. The carts are equipped with touchscreens to monitor progress and allow customers to pay for their purchases directly. Receipts are sent via email shortly after leaving the store.

Instacart is piloting the Caper Carts in various chains, including Schnucks Markets, ShopRite, and Fairway Market. They aim to bridge the gap between in-store and online experiences for customers.

While Amazon and Instacart are leading the way in creating a smarter shopping experience, there are other competitors in the market, such as Trigo. The future of retail seems to be moving towards a more streamlined and convenient shopping experience, where checkout lines become a thing of the past.