AI-powered “Caper Carts” are rolling out at ShopRite locations in New Jersey, a major leap toward checkout-free, smarter grocery shopping. This development reflects a tech wave reshaping how Americans shop for groceries in-store.
1. 🛒 Checkout… Redesigned
ShopRite debuted the carts starting September 15 at Greenwich, NJ, followed by planned launches on September 23 (Flemington) and September 29 (Clinton), each receiving 30 carts.
Developed by Instacart under the Caper brand, these smart carts allow shoppers to scan, weigh, track spending real-time, and pay directly from an interactive screen, eliminating traditional checkout lanes.
2. 🧾 Boosting Affordability & Convenience
ShopRite’s owner emphasizes how this tech streamlines checkout and helps customers manage costs, particularly relevant during weeks of high inflation.
Earlier pilots at Pennsylvania stores estimated cost-savings and improved shopper satisfaction, especially when program users link Price Plus Club cards for seamless loyalty savings.
3. Industry-Wide Momentum
Other regional chains, including Wegmans in upstate New York, have piloted Caper Carts with similar capabilities in multiple stores—tracking spending in real time and enabling in-cart payments.
Meanwhile, Amazon is shifting from its “Just Walk Out” systems at Amazon Fresh stores to smart carts (Dash Carts), prioritizing transparency and shopper comfort.
4. 📈 Price Pressures Fuel Adoption
Grocery prices continue climbing—eggs are at record levels, fruit and staples like beef and coffee also sharply up. The CPI for food-at-home rose 0.6% from July to August, the biggest monthly jump since 2022.
With narrow margins, grocers are seeking innovative tech like smart carts to improve efficiency, reduce shrink, and offer transparency to cost-conscious consumers.
5. 💡 What Smart Cart Tech Means for U.S. Grocers
| Key Benefit | Application | Retailer & Consumer Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Faster, smoother checkout | Real-time scanning, weighing, payments in-cart | Shorter lines, happier shoppers |
| Immediate spending visibility | Running tally visible on screen | Convenience + better budgeting |
| Loyalty integration | Price-club link at cart | Instant savings; personalized offers |
| Data for operations | Tracking dwell times, item patterns, cart speed | Staff planning, store layout optimization |
Pro Tips for U.S. Grocers Considering Adoption
Pilot in high-traffic stores first—learn user flow and ROI before scaling across locations.
Ensure loyalty connectivity so digital carts sync with club card discounts.
Train staff to assist customers using carts; critical in early rollout stages.
Monitor data metrics: dwell times, cart abandonment rates, average basket size.
Final Thought
As of September 2025, with food-at-home inflation still biting and consumer budgets tight, U.S. grocers are embracing AI-powered smart carts not just for novelty, but to deliver convenience, transparency, and measurable cost-control. ShopRite’s latest rollout marks a pivotal moment—smart carts are fast transitioning from pilot perks to mainstream grocery essentials.
