Coles is bringing a new level of convenience to in-store grocery shopping as it becomes the first retailer in Australia to trial an all-in-one AI-powered Smart Trolley. Developed in partnership with leading grocery technology company, Instacart, the Coles Smart Trolley allows customers to track their spending in real time, pack as they shop and skip the checkout line for a more seamless and efficient shopping experience.
The innovative technology will be trialled at Coles Richmond Traders in Melbourne from January 2025. Customers at Coles Richmond Traders will have the opportunity to experience and learn how to use the Coles Smart Trolleys from today before the trolleys are fully operational when the trial begins. The Coles Smart Trolley uses advanced AI technology, sensors and an in-built scale to scan groceries directly into shopping bags, including fresh produce, and streamline the checkout process so customers can pay on the trolley and go. Featuring an interactive digital screen which displays current in-store specials and product aisle locations, the smart trolley makes it easier for customers to locate offers throughout the store and features a running total of their shop to help manage their budget. Customers who scan their Coles App or Flybuys card can also collect Flybuys points during their shop – and to make shopping a little more exciting, in-built gamification allows customers who scan their Coles App or Flybuys card to ‘Spin the Wheel’ at checkout for a chance to win additional discounts on their total shop when they spend $50 or more in a single transaction.
Coles Chief Digital Officer, Ben Hassing, said the introduction of the Coles 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,” Hassing commented “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.”
The launch of the new Coles Smart Trolleys at Coles Richmond Traders marks the beginning of an exciting partnership between Coles and Instacart – the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region. 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 commented “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.” As part of Coles’ strategic commitment to meeting customers’ increasing digital usage by creating an easier, faster and more enjoyable omnichannel shopping experience, the Coles Smart Trolley embraces retail technologies to bring the benefits of online shopping to the in-store journey.
