Shoprite, SA’s largest corporate employer, says its new smart trolley pilot project in Cape Town will not put any employees’ jobs at risk.
The Xpress Trolley, developed by the ShopriteX innovation team, enables customers to scan items as they shop, track a running total and pay directly via the cart without having to queue at a till. The retailer said the trolleys are being tested at two Western Cape stores, Checkers Hyper Brackenfell and Checkers Constantia.
Shoprite says the project is about enhancing convenience, not cutting staff.
“No employees or positions are adversely impacted by this pilot,” the group said, emphasising the innovation might instead create new roles such as concierge assistants, checkout support staff, age-verification employees, additional security personnel and central tech and data specialists.
“Smart trolleys have the potential to significantly improve the speed and accuracy with which Sixty60 pickers complete orders, which in turn enables us to serve customers even better,” it said.
“This is just one of many digital innovations the group is experimenting with as part of our broader strategy to become SA’s most seamless and profitable omnichannel retailer. Insights gained from this pilot will help us continue shaping the future of retail in the country.”
Industry analysts said the innovation highlights the group’s competitive edge.
“It shows why Shoprite is such a formidable competitor, constantly innovating and not resting on their laurels,” said Opportune Investment CIO Chris Logan.
MP9 Asset Management CIO Aheesh Singh said the trolleys could be a game changer, but flagged risks.
“The Xpress Trolley is an exciting innovation that could make shopping a lot smoother for customers. For Shoprite, it’s not just about convenience, it also means better data on shopper behaviour, more effective promotions, and greater efficiency in stores,” he said.
“That said, there are trade-offs. The trolleys are expensive to roll out and maintain, not everyone will be comfortable using them straight away, and there are risks with fraud or technical glitches.
“It also raises a bigger conversation: as more of this kind of technology comes in, supermarkets may need fewer staff at the tills, which could affect jobs over time. If it works, it has the potential to change how South Africans shop, but it will need to balance innovation with the realities of cost, adoption, and employment.”
Shoprite said: “While smart trolleys have been rolled out in some international supermarkets, this is the first time they’re being trialled locally — and the group will use insights from this pilot to continue shaping the future of retail in SA.”
Still, the retailer is facing mounting scrutiny over its remuneration of staff. Shareholder activism group Just Share recently published a report which found the retailer is the lowest paying among 15 of 39 eligible JSE top 40 companies who disclosed their internal minimum wage.
The report shows Shoprite’s internal minimum wage is R71,674 a year, or about R5,972 a month before deductions. That is barely above the national minimum wage and less than half of the R12,000-R15,000 monthly benchmark proposed by the Living Wage SA Network in 2022.
Shoprite said its entry-level staff were, on average, paid 11% above the national regulated minimum wage. The retailer added it was striving to balance “the drive to pay a ‘living wage’” with providing secure jobs and long-term growth opportunities.
That includes the creation of 6,490 jobs; more than 15,000 internal promotions; investment in training; and the Shoprite Employee Trust, which has paid more than R500m to eligible employees in two years, it said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.