Checkers rolls out SA’s first Smart Trolley – and it’s got more brains than your average basket
A user-friendly screen guides shoppers through their journey, displaying real-time product details, personalised promotions, and a running total that helps them keep tabs on their spending as they go.
Image: Supplied / Checkers website
Checkers has unveiled South Africa’s first smart shopping trolley, designed to make grocery runs faster, smoother, and—dare we say—almost fun.
Dubbed the Xpress Trolley, this clever cart lets shoppers scan and bag as they stroll the aisles, watch a running total tick by, and pay directly from the trolley. Translation: no more juggling barcodes at the till or playing “queue roulette” on a Saturday morning.
Developed by the ShopriteX innovation team, the trolley comes with its own mounted screen that guides you through the store, flashes personalised promotions, and even helps you find that elusive jar of gherkins without having to wander through the aisles.
After initial testing with Checkers head office staff at Brackenfell Hyper, 10 trolleys are now rolling out to customers there, with another 10 at Checkers Constantia.
How it works:
Tap your Xtra Savings card to log in.
Drop your bags in the trolley—bonus points if they match.
Scan each item before popping it inside.
Watch your total in real-time and catch personalised deals.
Skip the queues and pay at the special smart-trolley lane using the card linked to your Checkers Sixty60 profile.
Grab your till slip and roll out like a pro. Concierge support is on hand if you need it.
Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at the Shoprite Group, Neil Schreuder, said this pilot project makes use of innovative technology to allow for a more "frictionless shopping experience.”
“The Xpress Trolley enhances convenience, improves speed, and keeps customers in control from the moment they enter the store to the moment they leave. Smart trolleys aren’t about the novelty of screens on trolleys – they’re about giving shoppers real-time control, creating a compelling shopping experience.
“We are also excited about the potential it holds for Sixty60’s in-store pickers, specifically the additional speed and accuracy with which the in-store picking process can be completed,” he added.
The pilot is part of Shoprite’s push to become South Africa’s most seamless omnichannel retailer. And while smart trolleys have made cameos overseas, this is the first local rollout—proving that even your grocery cart can now get an upgrade.