UK supermarket Morrisons is to introduce AI-powered shopping trolleys, in partnership with US grocery technology group Instacart.
The retailer will begin trialling Instacart’s “Caper Carts” in one store in early 2026, with the potential for a wider rollout. The move is Instacart’s first retail partnership in Britain.
The smart trolleys allow customers to scan items as they shop, track their spending in real time and check out without unloading goods at the till. Equipped with built-in scales, interactive screens and AI-powered sensors, the carts can identify products automatically, including fresh produce, and integrate with Morrisons’ loyalty scheme.
To complete purchases, shoppers scan a barcode displayed on the trolley’s screen at the self-checkout area.
David McIntosh, chief connected stores officer at Instacart, said: “Shopping is no longer solely online or in-store – it’s a hybrid of both – and Caper Carts offer a seamless way to combine the convenience and personalisation of e-commerce with the inspiration and discovery that happens in physical stores.”
Gordon Macpherson, productivity director at Morrisons, added: “We’re constantly looking for ways to bring innovation to the weekly shop to enhance the experience for our customers. The cutting-edge technology of Caper Carts brings the best of digital and physical retail together in-store.”
“We’re excited about bringing the first fully-integrated AI-powered trolleys in the UK to a first store soon, and look forward to testing customer response and building understanding of how the technology works within the Morrisons store estate.”
Instacart has already deployed the carts in nearly 100 cities across the US with retailers including Kroger and Coles. The trolleys can also serve as an advertising platform, surfacing personalised offers and product suggestions on their built-in screens.
