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!

 

[Relby]

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

 

[Col@45]

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

 

[NotNats]

For the honest customer who do not steal this would be great but because many out there are not honest our groceries are going to start costing us a hell of a lot more.

 

[Jentour1]

Love the idea much better than self checkouts it takes so long to pick one item at a time from the trolly scan it pack it, correct errors every time I have used them the screen locks and tells me to call a staff member. Really what’s the point I just wait and wait as there is only one staff member and 16 self check outs all doing the same thing with every transaction. Shelf to scanner to bag all in the trolly great idea. Oh but I live in regional Victoria so probably years away for me.

 

[Rosi Gordon]

Love the idea much better than self checkouts it takes so long to pick one item at a time from the trolly scan it pack it, correct errors every time I have used them the screen locks and tells me to call a staff member. Really what’s the point I just wait and wait as there is only one staff member and 16 self check outs all doing the same thing with every transaction. Shelf to scanner to bag all in the trolly great idea. Oh but I live in regional Victoria so probably years away for me.

It takes more time to unpack your trolley to put the items on a conveyer belt and then have the cashier to scan it then pack it than going to self serve and do it yourself. Have never since self serve been introduced had any errors or problems where I had to wait ages for help and I shop at various supermarkets in our area. Maybe a line up for ages for a cashier would suit some people.

 

[jsan]

I think it’s a fantastic idea. The time saved doing the shopping. I hope this system ends up in all Woolworths

 

[Rosi Gordon]

For the honest customer who do not steal this would be great but because many out there are not honest our groceries are going to start costing us a hell of a lot more.

Wonder how it would go with fresh fruit and vegies that has to be weighed and after scanning you change your mind, can you delete it and what's stopping dishonest people deleting an item but still keeping it in the trolley? You are right, we are going to pay for all the thieves out there.

 

[Wendy3060]

A similar system is already in use at Woollies in Miami WA. Though you use your smart phone , scan as you put in the trolly go to Tge check out and pay from your phone. My daughter did her shop this way and was at the car while I was still at The checkout .
One issue I have a 16 yr old granddaughter who will be looking for work this cuts her choice therefore tge 6 & 4 year old outlooks are grim

 

[Kman]

Does one have to 'physically' scan the item? Does the scanner automatically scan it? If the machine does not automatically scan an item, then it leaves room for stealing.

 

[IslandSteve]

Would I try it... Never! Apart from saving Woolies paying an ever-decreasing number of checkout staff I see no advantages whatsoever! Personally I will always head to a checkout with an actual human operator whenever possible... besides, what happens with these "smart" trolleys when the store's Wi-Fi goes down .... chaos!

 

[Viellarde]

Does one have to 'physically' scan the item? Does the scanner automatically scan it? If the machine does not automatically scan an item, then it leaves room for stealing.

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.

 

[Liz.s]

Yep! Anything to save time is great! I’ve not really thought much about the extra time it takes to unload, scan and reload my items.. so a simpler system would get me and others out faster and less of those long waiting lines.

 

[Veggiepatch]

"Shit....no stock of the half price whole chicken!"

Anger accelerates quickly and BANG! A wrecked screen worth several hundred dollars at least!

Great idea....

 

[DLHM]

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.

 

[PattiB]

Im not sure about this. On the rare occasions that I do venture into a supermarket to do a big shop I tend to put things in my trolley then take it out again if I spot something better. The computer screen would most likely blow up from confusion.

 

[DLHM]

Im not sure about this. On the rare occasions that I do venture into a supermarket to do a big shop I tend to put things in my trolley then take it out again if I spot something better. The computer screen would most likely blow up from confusion.

I know what you mean! I do the same.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I know what you mean! I do the same.

What? A big shop or change your mind? From personal experience, it's both!

 

[Gsr]

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

Probably not, after all most supermarkets are trying to get rid of cash checkouts, just look at the number of card only checkouts in stores now.

 

[Gsr]

Wonder how it would go with fresh fruit and vegies that has to be weighed and after scanning you change your mind, can you delete it and what's stopping dishonest people deleting an item but still keeping it in the trolley? You are right, we are going to pay for all the thieves out there.

I read that you can’t weight fresh produce on it so will still have to go through some sort of checkout to do that.