There’s a new kind of trolley coming to Coles — and it might just change the way you shop.
Coles has announced the launch of an AI-powered shopping trolley, a first for Australian supermarkets. Designed to make the weekly grocery run quicker and easier, these smart carts will begin trials in January 2025 at the Coles Richmond Traders store in Melbourne.
So what exactly does this trolley do? It’s equipped with artificial intelligence, built-in scales, sensors, and a touchscreen — all working together to scan, weigh, and tally up your shop as you go. No checkout queues, no unloading onto the belt, and no surprises at the end.
You’ll also be able to track your total spend in real-time, find specials in-store, and pay directly from the trolley using the integrated EFTPOS terminal. Just scan your Coles App or Flybuys card to get started.
“We’re excited to offer our customers a faster, more budget-friendly way to shop,” said Coles Chief Digital Officer, Ben Hassing. “It’s about giving people more control and convenience.”
The smart trolley was developed in partnership with US tech company Instacart, which has trialled similar trolleys overseas. And while some shoppers welcome the new tech, others have raised concerns — especially around privacy and the ongoing trend of self-service.
Online critics have compared it to self-checkouts, with one person writing: “I don’t work here — I want a human to scan my groceries.” Others are more wary about data collection, with fears supermarkets might track customer behaviour too closely.
To encourage trial, Coles is offering a little extra value: if you spend over $50 and scan your Flybuys card, you can "Spin the Wheel" for a chance to win instant savings on your shop.
Woolworths also recently introduced a high-tech trolley — but theirs isn’t powered by AI. Instead, shoppers manually scan items using a tablet attached to the cart. These are already available in selected Sydney stores, including Kellyville and Parramatta.
However, the tech behind Woolies' trolley has sparked some debate. The system can potentially show targeted ads based on your shopping habits and where you are in the store — a level of personalised marketing that’s raised eyebrows among privacy advocates.
“It’s incredibly intrusive,” said Greens Senator David Shoebridge. “It tracks your movements, your spending, and even which aisles you walk through.”
Woolworths hasn’t confirmed whether it will use this tech to serve ads, but the discussion around digital privacy in supermarkets is only heating up.
Between cost-of-living pressures and long checkout lines, new tech like this aims to make grocery shopping more efficient. But it also raises valid questions about how much data is being collected, and whether customers are trading privacy for convenience.
At ShopAround, we’re all about helping Australians make informed decisions — whether it’s finding the best price on pasta sauce or deciding if that smart trolley is right for your next shop. As retailers bring in more tech, staying aware of how it works (and what it collects) is just as important as watching your weekly grocery bill.
