For years, shoppers have dreamed of skipping long queues and enjoying a smoother, stress-free experience in supermarkets. Now, that vision is turning into reality as Checkers introduces South Africa’s very first smart shopping trolley — and it could completely change the way we shop.
Meet the Xpress Trolley
The new Xpress Trolley, developed by the Shoprite Group’s innovation arm, ShopriteX, is more than just a basket on wheels. It comes with built-in technology that allows customers to:
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Scan and bag items as they shop
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Keep track of their spending with a live running total
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Pay directly from the trolley without standing in a checkout line
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Use an interactive touchscreen for in-store navigation and product details
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Receive personalised promotions linked to their Xtra Savings profile
Neil Schreuder, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Shoprite, explained it simply: “This pilot allows us to reimagine the in-store journey using technology for a more frictionless shopping experience.”
Where Can Shoppers Try It?
The pilot started with internal staff testing at the Brackenfell Home Office. Now, everyday customers can try it out at:
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Checkers Hyper Brackenfell (10 trolleys available)
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Checkers Constantia (10 trolleys available)
All shoppers need to do is scan their Xtra Savings card, bag their items as they go, and make payment via their bank card linked to their Sixty60 profile. A till slip is printed, and they exit through a special lane — no queues, no hassle.
Why This Technology Matters
This isn’t just a flashy gimmick. The Xpress Trolley taps into global retail trends that push for seamless, omnichannel shopping experiences. It puts control in the hands of customers while also supporting faster in-store picking for delivery services like Sixty60.
The main benefits include:
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No need to re-bag items or stand in line
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Easier budgeting thanks to live purchase totals
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A smoother and more efficient shopping journey
Schreuder summed it up by saying: “The Xpress Trolley enhances convenience, improves speed, and keeps customers in control from the moment they enter the store to the moment they leave.”
Looking Ahead
Smart trolley technology has popped up in other parts of the world, but this is a first for South Africa. The Shoprite Group plans to use feedback from the pilot phase to decide how to expand the rollout. If successful, it won’t be long before these smart trolleys become a common sight in stores across the country.
South African shoppers could soon be saying goodbye to long queues for good.
