South Africa’s First Smart Shopping Trolley By Checkers Store

All images: Courtesy of Shoprite Group

Checkers is piloting South Africa’s first smart shopping trolley, a move aimed at transforming the in-store experience by letting customers scan, bag, and pay for items without visiting a traditional checkout.

The innovation, dubbed the Xpress Trolley, is currently available at two Western Cape stores: Checkers Hyper Brackenfell and Checkers Constantia. Each location has ten trolleys for customers, following initial testing by Shoprite Group employees earlier this month.

Developed by the ShopriteX innovation team, the Xpress Trolley features a touchscreen that guides shoppers through their visit. Beyond checkout, the trolley also offers in-store navigation, showing shoppers where products are located. When finished, they can use a dedicated exit lane, collect a printed slip, and leave without queuing. A concierge is on hand to assist where needed.

“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.

He added, “The Xpress Trolley enhances convenience, improves speed, and keeps customers in control from the moment they enter the store to the moment they leave. This isn’t about the novelty of a screen on a trolley, it’s about real-time control and creating a compelling shopping experience. It also holds potential for Sixty60 in-store pickers, improving the speed and accuracy of order fulfillment.”

Checkers sees the trial as part of its broader omnichannel strategy, aiming to position the group as South Africa’s most seamless and profitable retailer. While smart trolleys are already in use overseas, this marks the first pilot of its kind in the local market.

How the Xpress Trolley Works:

• Scan your Xtra Savings card on the trolley’s touchscreen to begin.

• Place shopping bags in the trolley and scan each item’s barcode as you add it.

• Monitor a live basket total, view product information, and activate personalised promotions in real time.

• Complete payment directly on the trolley using the bank card saved in your Checkers Sixty60 profile.

• Take the printed receipt and exit through the dedicated gate. Concierge support is available if needed.

With this pilot, Checkers is betting on technology to redefine retail convenience, speed, and customer control, setting the stage for a new era of shopping in South Africa.