Geissler’s Supermarkets, a seven-store retailer with locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts, will be the first grocer to replace most of its traditional shopping carts with Instacart’s smart Caper Carts.

Caper Carts are California-based Instacart’s artificial intelligence-powered (AI) smart shopping trolleys. They will be deployed as all seven supermarkets over the coming months.

Caper Carts use computer vision and AI to identify items automatically as they’re placed in the trolley. Geissler’s will deploy them to transform the traditional checkout experience, allowing customers to bag as they shop and pay from wherever they are in the store. Shoppers will be able to use their loyalty account on the carts, giving them access to personalised promotions and savings as they shop.

“As we celebrate our 100th anniversary and continue to innovate, we’re excited to share our plans to replace a majority of our traditional shopping carts with Instacart’s Caper Carts across our seven stores, making shopping at Geissler’s even easier, more efficient and personalised,” said Bob Rybick, CEO of Geissler’s Supermarkets. “We see clearly the value that Caper Carts bring to our customers and our business, in the short and long term. At launch, they’ll reduce lines and congestion while freeing up store associates to focus more on customer support. The carts’ screens help customers easily find items on their list, stay on budget, and access tailored recommendations and deals as they browse the aisles. More engaging experiences drive larger basket sizes and repeat customers, and we see even more possibilities long term.”

David McIntosh, vice president at Instacart, added: “Geissler’s plays a vital role in their community, and we’re proud to partner with them as they create an innovative omnichannel experience that makes shopping more convenient and engaging for their customers. Grocers know their communities best and, as their partner, we build technologies that fit their unique brand, help digitise and connect their stores, and support their overall growth.”

Geissler’s Supermarkets (geisslers.com) started in 1923 with AF Geissler delivering groceries to the small village of Broad Brook in the town of East Windsor, Connecticut. The company is now owned and operated by the fourth generation, the great-grandchildren of AF Geissler. Geissler’s has seven locations: Bloomfield, Somers, Granby, Windsor, South Windsor, East Windsor and one in Agawam, Massachusetts.

Instacart (www.instacart.com) works with grocers and retailers to transform how people shop. The company partners with more than 1400 national, regional and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 80,000 stores across North America.