Coles Introduces AI-Powered Smart Trolleys to Streamline Shopping Experience

Coles, one of Australia’s leading supermarket chains, has begun trialling AI-powered Smart Trolleys at its Richmond Traders store in Melbourne. These innovative trolleys feature integrated technology including sensors, scales, and an interactive screen, allowing shoppers to scan items as they go and track their spending in real time. A Melbourne couple, Alessia Allfree and Taz Zammit, documented their experience using the trolley on TikTok, where the video quickly went viral. The trolley not only streamlines the checkout process but also offers features like aisle location assistance and weekly promotions. For members of Coles’ loyalty program, a gamified reward system is also included, offering discounts for minimum purchases. Despite the advanced capabilities and ease of use, few shoppers are currently using the trolleys, likely due to unfamiliarity. Developed in partnership with Instacart, this new shopping tool aims to enhance in-store efficiency, budgeting, and customer engagement. Coles sees this as a potential shift in the shopping experience, making it both more efficient and enjoyable.