Are Checkers' smart trolleys a boon for shoppers or a threat to jobs?
Customers share their experience of using the Checkers Xpress Trolley with smart technology features.
Image: Supplied
Checkers has moved to allay fears that the launch of its new state-of-the-art trolley will cost staff their jobs.
Last month, IOL reported that Checkers introduced the smart trolleys, designed to enhance the shopping experience by allowing customers to scan items, track spending in real-time, and pay directly on the trolley, eliminating the need to queue at traditional checkouts.
"A user-friendly screen guides shoppers through their journey, displaying real-time product details, personalised promotions, and a running total that helps them keep tabs on their spending as they go," Checkers said.
Unions, including the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu), have also expressed concerns that the smart trolleys could lead to job losses and are said to be seeking discussions with Checkers to protect workers’ futures.
However, according to reports, the Shoprite group has maintained that its new smart trolley pilot project in Cape Town will not put any employees’ jobs at risk.
Some stores in Cape Town have already started using the smart trolleys, and customers have taken to social media, particularly TikTok, to share their experiences with the new technology.
Meanwhile, customers who have shopped with the trolleys have described them as "so fun and convenient,” thanking Checkers South Africa for introducing the technology.
TikTok user @misskeesh praised the trolley, describing it as “so cool” and “so cute.
"I am not going to lie, these trolleys are so cool and they are so cute. The advancement in technology" she said.
Meanwhile @Leavelle praised Checkers, saying they believe the retailer is “raising the bar” in South Africa with this innovation