Shoprite: New era for 78-year-old trolleys

FOOD retailer Shoprite had launched a shopping trolley with Global Positioning System (GPS) to direct consumers fast and effectively and also to alert them to discounted products and promotions while in the store, it said yesterday. A spokesman for the group’s innovation department said this smart trolley not only knew where products were located in store but also had supplementary customer benefits which were developed through technology already in use at the group’s distribution centres. Shoprite said it had been working on this idea for two years to propel the supermarket trolley, of the past 78 years into a new era. The trolley would be paired with a consumer’s cellphone through the Shoprite and Checkers mobile applications. Using a built-in GPS and interactive screen, the trolley will be able to sync with the consumers’ shopping list. Due to concern over theft, all new trolleys need to be returned before exiting the store and are subject to a R50 deposit paid upfront. – Nompumelelo Magwaza