“Is This Stealing Jobs?”: South Africans Conflicted As Checkers Launches Smart Trolleys

• Checkers has launched its Xpress Trolleys — trolleys that allow customers to skip the queues and have an easy shopping experience
• Shoprite Holdings shared that 20 trolleys were made available at two Checkers stores in the Western Cape
• News of the Xpress Trolleys didn't sit well with some South African shoppers, while others welcomed the innovation

On 20 August, 2025, Shoprite Holdings announced that Checkers launched South Africa's first smart trolley, dubbed the Xpress Trolley, which allows customers to skip the queues. However, news of the technology-led in-store experience failed to impress a few locals.

The trolleys, built by the ShopriteX innovation team, were first tested with the Home Office at Checkers Hyper in Brackenfell, Western Cape, from mid-August. After testing, 10 trolleys were sent to the store and another 10 to Checkers Constantia, an affluent suburb also in the Western Cape.

According to Shoprite Holdings' website, the Xpress Trolley was designed to allow shoppers to scan and bag their items as they navigate the aisles, track a live running total on a user-friendly screen, and pay on the trolley. The screen also impressively helps customers with a layout of the store and where to find the items they need.

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Shoprite Group's Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Neil Schreuder, noted that the test run allowed the company to revisualise the in-store experience by utilising technology for effortless shopping.

"We are also excited about the potential it holds for Sixty60 in-store pickers, specifically the additional speed and accuracy with which the in-store picking process can be completed."

How to use the Xpress Trolley

Shoprite Holdings provided six simple steps on how to use the Xpress Trolley:

1. Scan your Xtra Savings card below the screen on the trolley to start shopping.
2. Put the provided shopping bags in the trolley.
3. Scan the items' barcode before placing them in the trolley.
4. Track the live basket total, check product information, and activate personalised promotions.
5. Go to the dedicated checkout lane and pay directly from the trolley by using the bank card saved on your Sixty60 profile.
6. Exit via the checkout gate with your printed till slip. A concierge will be available if needed.

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Checkers smart trolley sparks mixed reactions

After hearing about what Checkers was offering its customers, South African social media users were both for and against the Xpress Trolley.

Kayler Anderson stated with a laugh:

"Imagine trusting a South African to scan every item."

Dman Da Goat wrote in the comment section:

"Is this stealing jobs? Or will the employees be full-time shelf packers and not cashiers anymore? That will be a relief."

Lyndon Vollenhoven, who was not for the new trolleys, stated:

"So grocery prices will increase further to fund something unnecessary."

Phutis Victoria Mpheroane made social media users laugh when they said:

"Better make sure wheel alignment is done regularly. What's the point of a smart trolley that goes to toiletries when you want to go to the deli?"

Michelle Carstens suggested in the comments:

"The only thing required on the trolleys is a self-scanner for those missing prices, a place to put your shopping list and tick it off, and a calculator for those of us working according to a budget."

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Danie Nel jokingly told the online community:

"Will they call that trolley... Pick n Pay?"

Take a look at Checkers' YouTube video showing the Xpress Trolley below:

3 Other stories about Checkers trolleys

• In another article, Briefly News reported that a woman living in a Cape Town suburb showed how a Checkers Sixty60 driver was escorting an empty trolley back to the store.
• In 2023, a woman shared her disbelief over the price of a Checkers trolley for kids. South African social media users were not having it and told the supermarket that the price was a robbery.
• Last year, a woman hilariously offered to trade her rare Checkers mini trolley for a two-bedroom house. The mini trolley was all the rage among South Africans who collected the mini item.

Source: Briefly News