Checkers launches South Africa’s first ‘smart trolley’: How it works
Checkers has introduced South Africa’s first smart trolley, featuring advanced technology aimed at improving the shopping experience.
Retail innovation in South Africa has advanced significantly as Checkers launches the country’s first smart shopping trolley, the Xpress Trolley, in a pilot rollout designed to transform the in-store shopping experience.
The Shoprite Group, through its innovation arm ShopriteX, is spearheading this technology to provide a seamless, queue-free, and personalised shopping journey.
What is the Xpress Trolley?
The Xpress Trolley enables customers to:
- Scan and bag items as they shop
- Track a live running total of their purchases
- Pay directly from the trolley, skipping checkout queues entirely
- Access product info and in-store navigation via an interactive touchscreen
- Receive personalised promotions based on their Xtra Savings profile
“This pilot allows us to reimagine the in-store journey using technology for a more frictionless shopping experience,” said Neil Schreuder, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at the Shoprite Group.
Where Can You Try It?
Initial testing began with Home Office employees in Brackenfell, and the pilot has now expanded to:
- Checkers Hyper Brackenfell (10 trolleys)
- Checkers Constantia (10 trolleys)
Shoppers need only scan their Xtra Savings card, use the bags provided, and scan each item before placing it into the trolley.
At the end of their shopping, customers pay with a bank card linked to their Sixty60 profile, print a receipt, and leave through a dedicated lane.
Why It Matters
The Xpress Trolley is not just a novelty.
It aligns with global retail trends toward seamless omnichannel shopping and puts real-time control in the hands of customers.
Key benefits include:
- No queues or re-bagging at tills
- Faster, more accurate in-store picking for Sixty60 delivery staff
- Improved budgeting and transparency for shoppers
“The Xpress Trolley enhances convenience, improves speed, and keeps customers in control from the moment they enter the store to the moment they leave,” added Schreuder.
🔍 What’s Next?
Although smart trolley technology exists internationally, this marks the first implementation in South Africa. Insights gained from the pilot will guide future rollouts as the Shoprite Group advances its goal of becoming the country’s most profitable and seamless omnichannel retailer.
If the pilot succeeds, South African shoppers could soon encounter smart trolleys as a standard feature in stores.