Checkers launches smart trolley – watch the video guide
Checkers’ new Xpress Trolley lets customers scan, bag, and pay on the spot – cutting out queues for the first time in South Africa.
If you hate standing in queues at the supermarket, Checkers might have just solved your biggest frustration. The retailer has rolled out South Africa’s very first smart shopping trolley, called the Xpress Trolley – and it could completely change the way we shop for groceries.
Instead of filling your trolley, waiting in line, and unpacking everything onto a conveyor belt, you can now scan as you shop, bag items immediately, and pay right there on the trolley. The idea is simple: shopping should be quick, seamless, and totally in your control.
A trolley that does more than just carry your groceries
At first glance, the Xpress Trolley looks like a regular cart, but it’s hiding some clever tech. A touchscreen mounted at the handle acts as your personal shopping assistant. Once you log in with your Xtra Savings card, the screen becomes your guide:
- Scan barcodes before placing items into your bags.
- See a live running total so you always know what you’re spending.
- Use in-store navigation to find products faster.
- Browse personalised specials and promotions linked to your profile.
When you’re done, you skip the queues, head to a dedicated lane, confirm payment with the card linked to your Sixty60 account, grab your slip, and walk out. That’s it.
Why Checkers is betting big on smart shopping
This isn’t just about fancy trolleys with screens – it’s about making shopping less of a chore. The group says it wants to create “frictionless shopping”, where customers are in control from start to finish.
It also fits into a bigger strategy. The Shoprite Group has been pushing digital innovation, from the Sixty60 delivery app to cashless payment options. The Xpress Trolley is the next step – and if it takes off, it could reshape how South Africans expect to shop in-store.
“Smart trolleys aren’t about adding screens for novelty. They’re about empowering customers with real-time control of their baskets, enhancing convenience, and creating a frictionless experience from start to finish.”
— Neil Schreuder, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, Shoprite Group
A first for South Africa – but not the world
Globally, smart carts aren’t entirely new. Amazon’s Dash Cart in the US and initiatives in Europe have shown what’s possible. But Checkers is the first to bring this tech to South Africa – and it’s tying it into its existing ecosystem like Xtra Savings and Sixty60.
That integration could be the real game-changer. Instead of a gimmick, the Xpress Trolley becomes part of how Checkers builds loyalty, saves time, and gives shoppers more reasons to stick with them instead of competitors.
What this could mean for shoppers (and workers)
For customers, the benefits are obvious:
- No queues and faster trips.
- Clearer budgeting with a live total as you go.
- Less back-and-forth thanks to in-aisle directions.
There’s also a bigger conversation around jobs. South Africa has seen pushback against automation, especially after self-service tills caused controversy in the past. Checkers appears to be treading carefully by keeping concierge staff at each smart checkout lane. Customers get help if needed, and staff are redeployed rather than replaced.
So, will it catch on?
Right now, a limited number of trolleys are available at selected Western Cape stores. If shoppers embrace them, we’ll likely see the rollout spread nationwide.
And here’s the thing: if you’ve ever dashed into a store for a “quick shop” and ended up stuck in a 20-minute queue, this might feel like a lifesaver. The only question is whether South Africans are ready to trust the tech – and whether the experience is as smooth as it promises.