Checkers Launches South Africa’s first Smart Trolley: The Xpress Trolley

Cape Town, South Africa — Checkers, owned by the Shoprite Group, has begun piloting the Xpress Trolley, marking the debut of smart trolley technology in the country. This groundbreaking development empowers customers to scan, track, navigate, and pay—all directly from the trolley itself.

A Leap Toward Seamless Shopping

• The Xpress Trolley displays a real-time spending total, helping shoppers stay mindful of their budget as they move through the store.
• A touchscreen interface offers in-store navigation, product details, and personalised promotions—truly placing control in the hands of the shoppers ReutersTechCentralEngineering News.
• The initiative aligns with Shoprite’s ambition to become South Africa’s most profitable and seamless omnichannel retailer, and to bolster Checkers’ position in the premium retail segment against rivals like Woolworths ReutersShoprite HoldingsTechCentral.

Pilot Roll-Out Strategy

• Initial testing took place with Shoprite employees at the Checkers Hyper Brackenfell store in Cape Town starting mid-August.
• Now, 20 trolleys are being used by customers—10 at Checkers Hyper Brackenfell and 10 at Checkers Constantia in Cape Town ReutersTechCentralEngineering News.

How It Works: Shopper Experience

1. Customers scan their Xtra Savings card via the screen-mounted scanner to begin shopping.
2. They use the provided bags and scan each item’s barcode before placing it into the trolley.
3. The trolley offers a live basket total, product information, and personalised offers.
4. Upon finishing, shoppers head to a dedicated checkout lane, where they pay directly from the trolley using a bank card stored in their Checkers Sixty60 profile. A printed invoice is issued, and concierge assistance is available—and then shoppers can exit without visiting a traditional till point Engineering NewsTechCentral.

Innovation at Its Core

• Developed by ShopriteX, the Group’s innovation arm, the Xpress Trolley brings together advanced customer-focused technology for a frictionless in-store experience Engineering NewsTechCentral.
• As Neil Schreuder, Shoprite Group’s Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, explains:

“The Xpress Trolley enhances convenience, improves speed, and keeps customers in control from the moment they enter the store to the moment they leave. Smart trolleys aren’t about the novelty of screens on trolleys—they’re about giving shoppers real-time control, creating a compelling shopping experience.” BusinessTechTechCentral

• The move also promises benefits for Sixty60 in-store pickers, offering increased speed and accuracy in fulfilling orders BusinessTech.

Global Perspective & Local First

While similar smart trolley systems have been piloted in countries like Chile (Walmart), the U.S., and Australia (Coles), this marks the first time such technology is being tested in South Africa Reuters.

What This Means for Retail in South Africa

The Xpress Trolley pilot signifies a major shift toward automation, customer-centric design, and omnichannel convergence. If successful, Checkers could see improved shopper satisfaction, faster in-store turnover, and operational efficiency gains.

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