Morrisons to Roll Out AI-Powered Shopping Trolleys from Instacart Under New Trial

Fresh produce will be weighed directly in the trolley as part of an enhanced customer experience that is designed to unlock new retail opportunities and growth.

Image: Instacart

Morrisons will begin the trial of Caper Carts – AI-powered smart trolleys from US grocery technology company Instacart – in early 2026 at one undisclosed store, with the potential for a further rollout, according to a press release from the two companies.

The move makes Morrisons the first retailer in the UK to deploy Caper Carts.

Designed to elevate the in-store experience, Caper Carts let customers scan items as they shop, track their running total in real time, and check out seamlessly. 

The trolleys feature interactive screens, built-in scales, and AI-powered sensors that guide customers through scanning and placing items directly into the basket – including weighing fresh produce directly in the trolley. 

As items are scanned, the trolley identifies them instantly, helping customers keep track of their spending and move through the store at their own pace. To complete their purchase, customers simply scan the barcode displayed on the trolley’s screen at the store’s self-checkout area.

Combining Convenience with Personalisation

For Morrisons customers, the smart trolleys are integrated with the Morrisons More Card loyalty programme, delivering added savings and convenience during their trip.

“As we continue to expand internationally, we’re thrilled to partner with Morrisons to bring Caper Carts to the UK for the first time,” said David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart. 

“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. Retailers like Morrisons are transforming the in-store shopping experience with new technologies such as Caper Carts that help customers shop faster, easier and in more inspiring ways while deepening loyalty along the way.”

Bringing Innovation to the Weekly Shop

Gordon Macpherson, Productivity Director at Morrisons, said the retailer is constantly looking for ways to bring innovation to the weekly shop to enhance experience for customers.

"The cutting-edge technology of Caper Carts brings the best of digital and physical retail together in-store,” he explained.

“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,” added Macpherson.

A Hyper-Personalised Shopping Experience

Instacart says its Caper Carts are fully-integrated smart trolleys that enable retailers like Morrisons to deliver a more seamless, hyper-personalised shopping experience. As part of Instacart’s Connected Stores suite, they are designed to bridge the convenience of online shopping with the familiarity of browsing in-store. 

Caper Carts are now deployed in nearly 100 cities across 15 US states, including major US retailers like Coles, Kroger, Schnucks, and Wakefern – highlighting growing demand from retailers and customers. 

With a digital screen that can surface personalised deals, suggest product pairings, and serve as a new retail media touchpoint right in the aisle, Instacart says the trolleys not only enhance the customer experience but also unlock new opportunities for monetisation and incremental basket growth for retailers.