Imagine walking into your local grocery store and having a cart that thinks for you. Wegmans, a well-known supermarket chain, is testing a bold new idea that could change how we shop. This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about efficiency and control over your hard-earned dollars.
According to the New York Post, Wegmans has rolled out AI-powered smart shopping carts, dubbed Caper Carts, in four upstate New York locations as part of a trial to streamline the grocery experience.
This pilot program marks the first deployment of Caper Carts at Wegmans. The test stores are located in Dewitt (Syracuse), Perinton and Pittsford (Rochester), and Alberta Drive (Buffalo). The launch at the Dewitt store was announced earlier this month.
Partnering with Instacart, Wegmans is leveraging the company’s Connected Stores technology for these carts. Caper Carts use cameras, digital scales, and location sensors to detect items as they’re placed inside automatically.
This means no more guesswork at checkout. Shoppers can track their spending in real-time via a screen on the cart, a feature tailored for budget-conscious consumers who want to avoid surprises at the register.
Even better, you can bag items as you go. The carts also allow for a seamless checkout process—pay directly from the cart without waiting in line. It’s a small but powerful step toward personal efficiency.
To access the tech, Wegmans customers log into their Shoppers Club account through the cart screen. This integration personalizes the experience, aligning with the chain’s focus on customer satisfaction.
David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart, noted the impact. “Caper Carts are transforming everyday grocery shopping,” he said, emphasizing speed and personalization.
Wegmans isn’t just testing one version of this tech. A company representative explained they’re running pilots with two different providers to compare results. “We are doing smart cart test-and-learn pilots in four stores,” they told Food & Wine.
Those four stores—Perinton, Pittsford, Alberta Drive, and Dewitt—are the only ones in the trial for now. “We are limiting the program to these stores,” the Wegmans representative added, highlighting the need for customer input.
That feedback will shape the future. The goal is to refine the technology and ensure it fits Wegmans’ unique product assortment and customer needs. A Wegmans spokesperson summed up the mission. “Our goal is to determine if smart cart technology is a fit,” they said, focusing on meeting shopper expectations.
For financially savvy readers, this trial is worth watching. Smart carts could save time—time you can redirect to building wealth or honing skills. They also empower frugality by keeping spending transparent as you shop.
But let’s be clear: this isn’t a government mandate or a top-down scheme. It’s a free-market experiment, driven by private innovation, not bureaucratic overreach. Wegmans and Instacart are betting on choice and efficiency, not coercion.
If successful, this could expand to more stores, pending the trial’s results. For now, keep an eye on these test locations. If you’re near one, try a Caper Cart and see if it delivers—your feedback could shape the future of grocery shopping.