Coles becomes the first Australian retailer to trial an AI-powered Smart Trolley, allowing customers to track spending in real time.
The new technology will be trialled at Coles Richmond Traders in Melbourne from January 2025, with customers having the opportunity to experience and learn how to use the Coles Smart Trolleys from now before the trial begins.
Ben Hassing, Chief Digital Officer at Coles, said the Coles Smart Trolley illustrates their omnichannel approach, leveraging digital capabilities to enrich the in-store experience.
“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.
“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.”
The launch of the Coles Smart Trolleys marks the beginning of a partnership between Coles and Instacart, the first of its kind in the APAC market.
David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart, said they’re delighted to partner with Coles Group to bring the Caper Cart technology to Australia and APAC for the first time.
“With cost-of-living pressures top of mind, we’ve found customers especially love the way the digital screen on the trolley helps them to see their running total and manage their budget in real-time along with discovering further discounts and money off their total by spinning the digital wheel.”
To stay up to date on the latest industry headlines, sign up to the C&I e-newsletter.