Geissler's Supermarkets to deploy Instacart's Caper Carts

Geissler’s Supermarkets is bringing Instacart’s AI-powered “Caper Carts” to its seven locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts, the San Francisco-based tech company announced Thursday.  

Shoppers at the IGA retailer will also be able to use their Geissler’s loyalty accounts with the smart-cart technology, which will enable them access personalized promotions and in-store deals while they make their way through the store. 

The carts, which use computer vision to identify items, enable shoppers to bypass the checkout aisle and pay for their groceries directly from the cart.  

“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,” said Bob Rybick, president and CEO of Geissler’s Supermarkets and IGA Retailer Advisory Board chairman, in a statement. “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 and general manager of Connected Stores at Instacart, said in a statement that the omnichannel experience will make grocery shopping more engaging and convenient for Geissler’s customers.  

“Grocers know their communities best, and as their partner, we build technologies that fit their unique brand, help digitize and connect their stores and support their overall growth,” McIntosh said.

The carts are just part of Instacart’s strategy of bringing its presence into brick-and-mortar locations. McIntosh announced the launch of Instacart’s “Connected Stores” approach in September of 2022, which aims to create a seamless experience for online and in-store shoppers.  

“At the heart of the Connected Stores experience is the idea that we won’t just help retailers build their websites and apps, we’ll also connect all of our e-commerce solutions – like Storefront Pro – with new in-store technologies, offering consumers the best of both worlds,” McIntosh wrote last year in a blog post.  

Other tools from Instacart under the umbrella of Connected Stores tech include Carrot Tags, which are electronic shelf labels for in-store locations that enable shoppers to scan and get more information about the product, and FoodStorm, the company’s catering and meals software available at kiosks within the store.  

Geissler’s adoption of the AI-powered shopping carts will put it at the forefront of the smart-cart tech game, due to Instacart’s recent release of its newest model.  

In September, the tech company released the newest model of its Caper Cart tech, which features more basket space, superior computer-vision technology and the ability to charge multiple carts at a time.