Shoppers will be able to scan their groceries at their trolley in an Australian-first technology trial at a Sydney Woolworths.
The Scan and Go carts are being trialled at a Woolworths in Windsor, with customers now able to scan items as they add them to their cart.
The technology uses the company’s existing Everyday Rewards card, which allows access to a touchscreen that clips onto the trolley, to save time at the till.
“The technology is co-created with one of our international partners [and is] home-grown in Australia, [we’ve] really been able to make sure it meets the Australian consumers needs,” Woolies Managing Director Faye Ihan said.
The high-tech system is meant to save shoppers time and money while doing their weekly grocery shop.
”I actually have only been in here for half an hour I’d normally be here for over an hour,” one customer who tried the smart cart told 9News.
Customers still have to pay at the checkout, but the supermarket says as the smart carts roll out, customers could eventually swipe their cards and pay at their trolley.
Woolworths employees will conduct random checks of people shopping to make sure people don’t exploit the system to steal.
The company says it won’t impact employment.
If the trial is successful, Woolworths says it will one day expand the smart carts to all Australian stories.
