AI technology is making its way into grocery stores through a collaboration between Instacart, the popular grocery delivery company, and retailers nationwide. Instacart has introduced smart shopping carts that enhance the traditional shopping experience by integrating artificial intelligence.
The newly launched Caper Carts, developed by Instacart and powered by Caper AI, offer shoppers a convenient way to manage their purchases. Customers can now scan items directly in the cart, weigh produce, and monitor the real-time total cost as they shop. Additionally, shoppers can leverage their loyalty accounts on the carts, accessing promotions and savings seamlessly.
"The vast majority of shoppers are shopping on a budget," notes David McIntosh, Instacart’s vice president and general manager of connected stores. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding budget surprises at the checkout, a sentiment echoed by customers who appreciate the carts' feature of displaying the running total.
Instacart's $350 million acquisition of Caper AI in 2021 has empowered these carts with advanced recognition, scanning, and weighing capabilities. McIntosh envisions a future where the carts recognize individual shopping habits, offering personalized recommendations based on preferences and dietary restrictions.
The move towards smart shopping carts is not exclusive to Instacart. Amazon is developing its Dash Cart, allowing customers to skip the checkout process, while Albertsons collaborates with Veeve to deploy smart carts, reducing in-store time. Similarly, Shopic and Shufersal in Israel, along with Wegmans in the United States, are testing and implementing smart-cart solutions.
Instacart's Caper Carts are set to be available in select Kroger, Schnucks, Sobeys, ShopRite, Fairway Market, Bristol, and Geissler's stores in the coming months. McIntosh emphasizes the need for a seamless integration of in-store and online shopping, envisioning a unified mode that works well together.
As traditional grocery stores face increasing competition from online and delivery services, the incorporation of AI in shopping carts aims to enhance customer experience, providing a glimpse into the future of retail.
