Schnuck Markets, Inc. and Instacart revealed Wednesday the companies will expand their omnichannel partnership by deploying Instacart’s smart carts in select stores.
Caper Carts identify items as they are added to the cart using computer vision and artificial intelligence, allowing customers to bag as they shop, skip the line, and checkout directly from the device. Select carts will also feature a bottom rack for bulky and heavy items. The technology will first roll out at select Schnucks St. Louis stores this fall, with plans to expand later this year following successful initial deployments.
Alongside the standard carts, Schnucks will also test a Lite version, where customers manually scan items before placing them in the cart.
“As a third- and fourth-generation, family-owned grocer, we’re always thinking about how we can best serve our customers while also driving the digital transformation of the grocery industry. As part of that effort, we’re proud to deepen our partnership with Instacart and further bridge the gap between in-store and online shopping for Schnucks customers,” said Chace MacMullan, senior director of digital experience at Schnucks, in a statement. “We believe the future of grocery will lean heavily into personalization – whether it’s achieved through in-store smart carts or by providing the best possible e-commerce experience for our customers.”
Customers can also use their Schnucks Rewards account with the Caper Cart to get a personalized experience by offering clipped promotions and weekly deals on the cart’s screen.
“We’re proud to partner with Schnucks on their rollout of Instacart’s Caper Carts, which bring together the best of online and in-store shopping to spearhead their digital transformation and create a truly convenient and personalized experience for customers,” said David McIntosh, VP and general manager of connected stores at Instacart, in a statement. “With this launch, Schnucks is building on their existing Instacart-powered offerings across e-commerce, ads, electronic shelf labels, and more–redefining in-store shopping and checkout for customers.”
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