THERE has been some debate over a recent shopping cart change at ShopRite.
The retailer recently introduced advanced cart technology with artificial intelligence enhancements at select locations.
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According to a press release, ShopRite’s parent company, Wakefern Food Corporation, and Instacart worked together to bring the “Caper Carts” to a store in Hoboken, New Jersey, in May.
Tech company Caper AI was aquired by Instacart in 2021.
Tests seemingly went well at the location for the companies to expand the tech-equipped carts to at least 11 ShopRite stores in the northeast, including four in the Philadelphia area.
Shoppers who frequent the ShopRites in Brookhaven, Bridge & Harbison, Drexeline, and Morrell Plaza should have seen the Caper Carts starting this month during grocery trips.
Customers in Mount Kisco, New York, about 37 miles northeast of Manhattan, should also see Caper Carts at their local ShopRite sometime in 2024, per the release.
IN AND OUT
Caper Carts come with several unique features — most notably a touchscreen near the handle and cupholder area where shoppers can “scan items as they shop, manage their budget in real-time and checkout seamlessly.”
Computer vision technology, sensors, and even built-in scales are included in the cart to help customers accurately weigh produce and verify items.
Members with ShopRite Price Plus can also automatically connect to the cart for instant deals and discounts.
After all merchandise is scanned and accounted for on the Caper Cart, it generates a single barcode to be scanned in the checkout area.
The single-barcode option for all merchandise is similar to Scan & Go options at Walmart and Sam’s Club.
Executives have claimed that most ShopRite customers who have used the advanced carts are thrilled over the update.
“Shoppers are excited about the technology and embracing it in the stores that are using Caper Carts,” Charlie McWeeney, VP of technology, digital, and retail at Wakefern said in the release.
“It’s another tool our Wakefern members can offer their customers who are looking for smart, convenient ways to shop and checkout.”
TECH TURMOIL
Despite the comments from McWeeney, some ShopRite customers have issued grievances over Caper Carts online.
What are smart shopping carts?
Smart carts are being increasingly tested and rolled out by retailers, but what are they?
“A smart shopping cart is a shopping cart with integrated technology such as a digital screen, cameras, and other sensors to help customers seamlessly pay and checkout directly on the cart, access personalized offers, and manage their shopping lists,” Caper states.
Smart carts use technology including RFID, sensors, and AI.
The benefits of such technology include:
- On-the-go budgeting
- Reduce in-store wait times
- Seamless checkout
- Drive revenue
- Reduce labor costs
- Improve customer retention thanks to loyalty plans and discounts
- Increased interaction between shoppers and retailer
“Cheap replacements,” fumed a shopper in a post to Facebook.
“The people do the cashier’s [work] I guess.”
“What’s next?” another asked.
Someone else remarked “it scares me at times” in a separate thread.
Several still felt the change was needed and a positive decision by Instacart and Wakefern.
“Love that!” a fan exclaimed.
“Wow!” another wrote.
NOT ALONE
Competitors have also made similar upgrades in partnership with Instacart over the past year or so.
Kroger brought its own smart carts to customers in 2023, with a similar goal of helping shoppers budget better and checkout quickly.
Missouri customers at Price Chopper and McKeever’s Market & Eatery also saw versions of Caper Carts introduced in June.
Amazon even introduced its Dash Carts at six Whole Food locations in April.