Not only can I have a conversation with my smartphone, but you’re telling me that now my grocery shopping trip begins and ends with an AI-powered cart? This must really be the future! Sobeys recently unveiled a first-of-its-kind intelligent shopping cart, dubbed Smart Cart, which it has been hard at work on with technology expert Caper. Smart Cart is a technology-enhanced shopping cart that is innovating the consumer shopping experience by making it more engaging, fun, and speedy. Not only this, but Sobeys also hopes to minimize lengthy in-store checkout lines through the carts.
“While products and customer eating habits have evolved, the in-store grocery shopping experience has remained relatively static for the last 100 years.” said Mathieu Lacoursiere, Vice President, Retail Support at Sobeys. “This is a unique way for us to test innovative new technologies aimed at enhancing the customer shopping experience and learn how best to make it faster and easier. The carts will also give our in-store teammates more time to interact with customers and answer questions about food and new products.”
Smart Cart is equipped with AI and machine learning technology, including multiple high-resolution cameras that capture 120 images per second as product is placed in the cart. The technology then keeps a running tally by scanning, weighing, and displaying products in the cart. The cart is particularly groundbreaking because it also serves as a check-out kiosk, allowing shoppers to pay on the spot with the cart—no waiting, no lines, just the future!
The cart’s technology also takes account of the items it is carrying without having the shopper enter any information or scan any barcodes. This, coupled with the cart’s easy-to-read screen, will eventually aid customers in navigating the store by finding the items they’re looking for based on recipes or grocery lists and the promotions available with each item.
"Sobeys is an innovative grocer with a strong focus on enhancing the shopper experience," said Ahmed Beshry, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Caper. "The Sobeys Team has incredible execution capabilities. When retailers are able to pick up a new technology and execute quickly, it creates the right environment for rapid innovation.”
Lacoursiere added, “The best Canadian brands aim to be world-class by thinking ahead and placing bets on unique innovations. We’re constantly looking for new ways to evolve the grocery shopping experience. During the Smart Cart pilot, we will engage with our customers in real time to better understand what inspires them and adds value to their shopping experience throughout the store.”
Currently being piloted at Sobeys’ Glen Abbey location in Oakville, Ontario, the Smart Cart may be rolling out in grocery stores everywhere before we know it. Whatever the good word is, Deli Market News will report it.
