Coles becomes ‘first Australian retailer’ to launch AI-shopping trolley

The supermarket giant has revealed there will soon be a new way for customers to shop – but the move was met with huge pushback overseas.

Coles is launching an AI-powered smart trolley that can help shoppers pick, weigh and pay for their groceries without having to visit a checkout.

The Australian retailer will trial the “all-in-one” shopping device at its Coles Richmond Traders store in Melbourne from January next year.

Coles said its smart trolley uses advanced AI technology, sensors and an in-built scale to scan groceries directly into shopping bags, including fresh produce.

Shoppers can also use an interactive digital screen to identify and locate in-store specials as well as monitor the running total of their shop to help manage their budget and ensure “there are no surprises”.

Coles has become the ‘first Australian retailer’ to launch an AI-powered shopping trolley. Picture: Supplied

It’s hoped the AI-powered trolleys will also “streamline the checkout process” as customers will be able to pay using an in-built EFTPOS machine.

Coles Chief Digital Officer, Ben Hassing, said the introduction of its Smart Trolley showcases Coles’ commitment to delivering value and convenience to customers through innovative digital solutions.

“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,” Ben said.

“The Coles Smart Trolley illustrates our omnichannel approach, leveraging digital capabilities to enrich the in-store experience.

“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.”

Coles’ smart trolley was created by New York-based software developers Instacart, which rolled out its AI-powered grocery carts in several supermarkets overseas earlier this year -however not everyone is a fan.

Many claimed that much like self-checkouts – a largely controversial modern supermarket feature – they would “refuse” to use the new smart trolleys, blasting them as “lazy” and expressing fears supermarkets would also store personal data.

“I don’t work for them, scan my products and pack my bags, as per your job description,” one raged on Facebook after Instacart launched in US supermarket ShopRite.

“Not a chance I will use an AI trolley, I want a human to scan my groceries,” another added.

Coles is offering shoppers an “added value” incentive to those who use its new smart trolleys, stating those who scan their Coles App or Flybuys card while using the device will have the chance to “Spin the Wheel” and win instant cash off their total shop when they spend $50 or more in a single transaction.

Shoppers can place products into the cart which will automatically be added to their bill. Picture: Supplied

Woolworths recently launched its Australia’s first digital supermarket trolley that allows customers to scan, bag and track their spend as they shop.

Its smart trolley doesn’t contain AI-technology to read what is being placed into the trolley, instead enabling shoppers to manually scan each item as they go.

The supermarket giant rolled out its new smart trolleys at several stores in Sydney and its outer suburbs, including at Kellyville, Windsor, Lane Cove and Parramatta earlier this year – and requires shoppers to use their Everyday Rewards loyalty accounts to unlock a smart tablet that is then clipped onto a shopping trolley.

But the tech company behind Woolworths’ smart trolleys has claimed its carts are designed to increase impulse buying, adding the trolleys have the capability of displaying personalised ads depending on a customer’s shopping habits, and even which aisle they’re in at the store.

“Leveraging data and customer insights, our system presents relevant advertisements and promotions to customers as they shop,” Chinese retail tech company Hanshow said on its website.

Woolworths recently launched a smart trolley – but it doesn’t contain AI. Picture: Supplied

Woolworths has not indicated it will introduce targeted ads in-store, but its Chinese partner’s admission has worried Greens senator and digital rights spokesman David Shoebridge.

“This is incredibly intrusive technology, literally tracking your movements, your purchasing history in real-time as you move from aisle to aisle,” Senator Shoebridge told the ABC.

“In many ways it is like turning the entire supermarket into that last five metres, that gauntlet you run on your way to the check-out.”

Instacart Chief Connected Stores Officer, David McIntosh, said the partnership with Coles represented an exciting entry into the APAC market.

“At Instacart, we have spent the last decade empowering retailers with the technologies they need to better serve their customers any way they choose to shop, and we’re delighted to partner with Coles Group to bring the Caper Cart technology to Australia and APAC for the first time,” Mr McIntosh said.

“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.”