Imagine strolling through the aisles of your local Woolworths, filling your trolley with the week's groceries, and bypassing the checkout queues entirely.

This futuristic shopping experience is closer than you think, as Woolworths is trialling a new scan-as-you-go trolley system that could revolutionise shopping.

In an Australian-first technology trial, Woolworths has introduced the Scan and Go carts at its Windsor store in Sydney.

These high-tech trolleys are designed to streamline your shopping experience. They allow you to scan and pack items as you go, eliminating the need to unload and reload at the checkout.

Woolworths is trialling the Scan and Go carts at its Windsor store in Sydney. Credit: 9 News Australia / YouTube

The system is simple and user-friendly. It leverages Woolworths' existing Everyday Rewards card to unlock access to a touchscreen that clips onto the trolley.

As you pick up each item, you scan it, and the screen keeps a running total of your purchases. This not only saves time but also helps you keep track of your spending as you shop.

Faye Ihan, Woolworths Managing Director, emphasised the innovation of the technology, stating, 'The technology is co-created with one of our international partners [and is] home-grown in Australia, [we've] really been able to make sure it meets the Australian consumers' needs.'

Early feedback from customers who have tried the smart cart is overwhelmingly positive. One shopper reported cutting their shopping time in half, saying, 'I actually have only been in here for half an hour; I'd normally be here for over an hour.'

While the current system still requires customers to pay at the checkout, Woolworths envisions a future where payment can be made directly at the trolley, further reducing time spent in-store.

Of course, with new technology comes the concern for security. Woolworths has anticipated this and will have employees conduct random checks to prevent theft.

Rest assured, the company has stated that this new system won't impact employment, so the friendly Woolworths staff will still assist you.

If the trial proves successful, Woolworths plans to roll out these smart carts across all Australian stores, bringing us into a new era of shopping.

You can watch 9News’ coverage below:

Credit: 9 News Australia / YouTube​

Key Takeaways

• Woolworths is trialling new Scan and Go carts at a Sydney store, allowing customers to scan items as they add them to their trolley.
• The system utilises the Woolworths Everyday Rewards card and a touchscreen device that clips onto the trolley.
• The high-tech trolleys aim to save shoppers time and could eventually enable customers to pay for their groceries directly at the trolley.
• Woolworths will perform random checks to prevent theft and asserts that the technology will not impact employment, with the potential for a wider rollout if the trial is successful.

Members, how do you feel about this new technology? Are you excited to try the scan-as-you-go trolleys, or do you have any reservations about the change? Share your thoughts with us!

 

[Gsr]

I can already hear several trolleys scolding shoppers, all at the same time: the last item was not scanned, please scan all items....The looks, the shame, the explanations!
I think it will have teething problems like any new system, but it will be very popular very quickly. Just not for me.

I think it will lead to more theft. Unless there is some way for it to recognise people are putting things in their trolley they haven’t scanned there will be a lot of items not paid for. Not every item in supermarkets has a security code that beeps as customers leave the store if it hasn’t been paid for.

 

[Viellarde]

I didn’t see any seating for the little tykes. With the screen sitting on the trolley handle, even if there was room for a kiddie seat, would the kid keep their hands off of the screen?

I can see this will be fraught with problems.

Do we need to read between the lines? Kid-free shopping?

 

[Sherril54]

So you will need a "Woolworths Everyday Rewards card" I don`t have one and I don`t plan on getting one in the near future. Also it realy dosen`t cut down on the packing etc which I imagine will be the responsibilty of the customer thus cutting out more service provision and Woolworth`s employees. Believe me Woolworths is not realy interested in customer satisfaction only on the bottom line and guess who`ll ulimately be paying for all this, that`s right the customer. There has been no mention of paying with cash!!

 

[Veggiepatch]

So you will need a "Woolworths Everyday Rewards card" I don`t have one and I don`t plan on getting one in the near future. Also it realy dosen`t cut down on the packing etc which I imagine will be the responsibilty of the customer thus cutting out more service provision and Woolworth`s employees. Believe me Woolworths is not realy interested in customer satisfaction only on the bottom line and guess who`ll ulimately be paying for all this, that`s right the customer. There has been no mention of paying with cash!!

Woolworths Everyday Rewards Extra membership costs $7 per month or $70 per year. Standard membership is free with bugger all benefits.

Just another rort so you use a dopey screen attached to your trolley. At a cost....

 

[Viellarde]

So you will need a "Woolworths Everyday Rewards card" I don`t have one and I don`t plan on getting one in the near future. Also it realy dosen`t cut down on the packing etc which I imagine will be the responsibilty of the customer thus cutting out more service provision and Woolworth`s employees. Believe me Woolworths is not realy interested in customer satisfaction only on the bottom line and guess who`ll ulimately be paying for all this, that`s right the customer. There has been no mention of paying with cash!!

One who probably pack while shopping. I missed the bit about the rewards card. I don't think all this technology goes with cash. I'm so glad I have all the supermarkets close to me.

 

[DLHM]

Do we need to read between the lines? Kid-free shopping?

Very good point. Those with babies and/or children would have to find someone to look after them or shop online. Shopping online would make the supermarkets happy.

 

[Luckyus]

I think my self lucky If I get at trolley whose wheels won't to go the same way!!!

 

[Kali]

As Woolworths & Coles monopolize our shopping centres, I believe the new smart cart trolleys is just another way to force/coax/trap us into using credit cards and eliminating Cash.

 

[marni]

So does that mean the self serve computers will be obsolete ???
What next will they try ????

I have been told by staff the quick check outs are going in the near future in all stores

 

[marni]

Can you
Imagine the cost of those discarded shopping trolleys all over the streets and in waterways

 

[Viellarde]

Can you
Imagine the cost of those discarded shopping trolleys all over the streets and in waterways

They'll probably stop themselves from leaving the building or its carpark.

 

[marni]

Then they better make sure there is a bus stop nearby as I have seen a lot at the nearest bus stop outside their jurisdiction by those that need public transport

 

[Viellarde]

Then they better make sure there is a bus stop nearby as I have seen a lot at the nearest bus stop outside their jurisdiction by those that need public transport

Trolley bay at bus stop sounds good. We could solve all their problems and they'd never know about it!

 

[Sherril54]

Seriously, are they for real and have they thought this through, I cannot stop laughing at the possible scenarios!

 

[Viellarde]

Seriously, are they for real and have they thought this through, I cannot stop laughing at the possible scenarios!

'One day at a time' is probably their collective motto.

 

[Ezzy]

But does it accept CASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The article stated that the current system requires customers to pay at the Checkout.
There was no mention about what the future arrangements would be.

 

[Aurore]

There's no mention of how the cats will deal with items which need to be weighed.