If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a long supermarket queue, juggling a trolley full of groceries and wondering if there’s a better way, you’re not alone.

For many of us, the weekly shop is a necessary chore, but Coles may have just introduced a game-changer that could make your next visit a whole lot easier—and surprisingly fun!

Earlier this year, Coles began trialling their brand-new Smart Trolley at the Richmond Traders store in Melbourne.

While it might look like a regular trolley at first glance, this high-tech helper has features designed to make your shopping trip faster, easier, and more budget-friendly.

So, what exactly is a Smart Trolley? It’s a shopping trolley equipped with advanced AI technology, sensors, and a built-in scale.

New Smart Trolleys are being trialled at a Melbourne store, with AI, scales and sensors used to scan and weigh groceries. Credit: Coles

As you shop, you simply scan and weigh your groceries directly into your bags.

The trolley keeps a running total of your spending, alerts you to in-store specials, and even helps you find products in the aisles.

When you’re done, you just pay at a dedicated lane and walk out—no more unloading and reloading at the checkout!

Despite all these bells and whistles, it seems the Smart Trolley is still a bit of a hidden gem.

Shoppers who’ve tried it say 'hardly anyone was using the trolleys' during their visit.

This could be because the technology is so new, and many people are hesitant to try something unfamiliar—especially when it comes to tech in the supermarket.

As one shopper put it, 'People need to see other people using it before they try it for themselves.' But those who have taken the plunge are singing its praises, saying it’s 'so much fun to use' and 'better than using the self-checkout.'

What makes the Smart Trolley so special? Let’s break down some of the standout features:

1. Real-time budgeting: The trolley’s screen shows you exactly how much you’re spending as you shop. No more nasty surprises at the checkout! This is a huge plus for anyone on a fixed income or trying to stick to a budget.
2. Built-in scale: No need to hunt for the weighing station when buying fruit and veg—the trolley does it for you. Just pop your produce in, and it automatically weighs and adds it to your total.
3. In-store navigation: Can’t find the tinned tomatoes? The trolley’s tablet lets you search for items and tells you exactly which aisle to head to.
4. Special offers and upsells: The trolley alerts you to in-store specials as you shop. If there’s a deal on lemons or a two-for-one offer, you’ll know about it right away.
5. ‘Spin the Wheel’ discounts: Spend $50 or more and you get to spin a virtual wheel for a chance to win extra discounts at the end of your shop. One lucky shopper scored $2 off their bill just for playing along!
6. Quick and easy checkout: Because you’ve already scanned and bagged your items, checkout is a breeze. Just head to the Smart Trolley lane, pay, and you’re done in minutes.

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As with any new technology, there are a few teething issues.

For example, if you remove an item from your trolley after scanning it, you need to delete it from the tablet manually—otherwise, you might accidentally pay for something you didn’t buy.

This could be a bit confusing for those who aren’t as tech-savvy.

There’s also the fact that, at the moment, there aren’t as many Smart Trolleys available as regular ones, so you might have to hunt one down if the trial expands.

The feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive.

Shoppers love the real-time budgeting, the ease of finding products, and the fun, interactive nature of the trolley.

Some even compared it to 'gaming, but in real life'—and who says grocery shopping can’t be a little bit fun?

One shopper said, 'It made us super aware about what we were spending.

There’s nothing worse than filling your regular trolley, watching it get scanned up and having your fingers crossed you haven’t gone over the budget.

These new trolleys make it very easy to make sure you’re staying on track.'

Another added, 'It was also a quick and easy checkout process.

Our bags were already packed, and the trolley just needed to be double-checked through the smart trolley lane, paid for, and then we got to walk straight out. It took about two minutes.'

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While the Smart Trolley is still in its early days, it’s easy to see how this technology could become the norm in supermarkets across Australia.

For seniors, in particular, the benefits are clear: less time spent queuing, easier budgeting, and a more streamlined shopping experience.

Of course, there’s always a learning curve with new technology, but as more people try it, it’s likely to catch on quickly.

Features like in-store navigation and real-time spending updates could make shopping less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone.

Trying the Smart Trolley for the first time? Don’t hesitate to ask staff for help—they’re there to guide you.

Take your time getting started; it gets easier with practice.

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Keep track of your spending as you go, and if you remove an item, be sure to delete it from the tablet to avoid being charged twice.

And don’t forget to enjoy the ‘Spin the Wheel’ feature—you could score a small bonus at the end!

Credit: TikTok​

Key Takeaways

• Coles is trialling new Smart Trolleys at its Richmond Traders store in Melbourne, using AI technology, built-in scales and sensors to scan and weigh groceries as you shop.
• These trolleys notify shoppers of in-store specials, help locate items in the aisles and show a real-time running total, assisting customers to stick to their budget.
• Although users found the Smart Trolley quick, fun and easy to use, very few people have tried them so far, likely because they're new and not everyone is confident with the technology.
• The main drawback mentioned was that items need to be manually removed from the trolley’s system if taken out, which could be confusing for less tech-savvy shoppers, but overall, users expect the trolleys to become popular as people become more familiar with them.

Have you spotted the Smart Trolley at your local Coles? Would you give it a try, or do you prefer the old-fashioned way? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!

 

[Zemo]

Works great until the computers go down ... and how much are the stores willing to pay to rescue abandoned trolleys from surrounding streets or down the drains?

 

[goodmorning]

and so does that mean we get less people on the floor to help when it all turns to s---

 

[Joydie]

But best of all, it means that Coles doesn't need to waste money on that expensive overhead known as staff! No more rostering headaches, forget about workers' comp, superannuation and all those other staff related problems that eat into their multi million dollar profits!

The customers will love it (they won't), so it's win win!

 

[darrellh]

When I get my 4 weeks of spend $70.00 I am always totalling up as go to make sure I reach the amount ane don't wanr to overspend my much so would be ideal for those times. I would give it a go then if they ever made it west to my Coles.