If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a long supermarket queue, juggling a trolley full of groceries and wondering if you’ve blown your budget, you’re not alone.
For many Australians—especially those who remember when a loaf of bread cost 20 cents—the weekly shop can feel more like a chore than a pleasure.
But Coles hopes to change all that with a new in-store innovation that’s turning heads (and making shopping much more fun).
Currently being trialled at the Richmond Traders Coles in Melbourne, the Smart Trolley is a high-tech shopping cart designed to make your supermarket experience faster, easier, and more interactive.
Using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology, built-in sensors, and a digital scale, the trolley scans and weighs your groceries as you shop.
The Smart Trolley also features a touchscreen tablet that helps you find products in the aisles, alerts you to in-store specials, and keeps a running tally of your total spend. This is a game-changer for those who like to monitor their budgets closely.
Early adopters Alessia Allfree and Taz Zammit recently shared their experience with the Smart Trolley on social media, and their verdict was glowing.
‘It was so much fun to use,’ they said, adding that the trolley was easier to manoeuvre than a regular one, making them more aware of their spending in real time.
‘There’s nothing worse than filling your regular trolley, watching it get scanned up and having your fingers crossed you haven’t gone over the budget. These new trolleys make it very easy to make sure you’re staying on track.’
The checkout process is also a breeze. Once you’re done shopping, you head to the dedicated Smart Trolley lane, where your bags are double-checked, you pay, and you’re out the door in about two minutes—no more unloading and reloading your groceries at the register.
A little bit of fun and games
Coles has even added a playful twist to the experience. Spend $50 or more in a single transaction, and you can ‘Spin the Wheel’ to win extra discounts.
Alessia and Taz scored $2 off their shop, describing the process as ‘like gaming, but in real life’.
The trolley even makes satisfying noises when you add items to your cart—small touches make the weekly shop feel less like a chore and more like a game.
Despite the rave reviews, the Smart Trolley is still a hidden gem.
‘Hardly anyone was using the trolleys,’ they noted.
‘We shopped for about an hour and only saw one other person use them. I think this is because it’s so new. A lot of the time, people are hesitant to try new technology when it first launches. People need to see other people using it before trying it themselves.’
Another shopper, Nectro Vlangos, agreed, saying he only saw one person using a Smart Trolley during his visit.
He suggested that the limited number of trolleys and the need for tech-savvy might hold some people back.
While the Smart Trolley has features, it’s not without its quirks. If you remove an item from your trolley, you must manually remove it from the tablet, or you risk being double-charged.
This could be a little confusing initially for those who aren’t as comfortable with technology. But with a bit of practice, most shoppers should find it straightforward.
Have you tried the Coles Smart Trolley yet? Would you give it a go, or do you prefer the old-fashioned way of shopping? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
Also read: Cost-of-living relief: Coles matches Woolworths with major grocery price cuts
‘Horses for courses’ I guess.
What is so wrong with employing more check out operators?
BTW why doesn’t Woolies & Coles provide check out operators with seating, as does Aldi? That would prevent them from spending hours on their feet each shift.