Regional grocer Geissler's Supermarkets deploys Instacart smart carts

A New England grocery chain is rolling out artificial intelligence (AI)-equipped shopping carts from Instacart.

Geissler's Supermarkets, a seven-store Independent Grocers Association (IGA) retailer with locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts, is deploying the Instacart Caper Cart solution at all locations. Caper Cart, which Instacart acquired in October 2021, is equipped with scales, sensors, touchscreens, and computer vision technology.

The carts, which were upgraded in September 2023, use computer vision and AI to automatically identify items as they're placed in the cart, Geissler's will deploy them to allow customers to bag as they shop and pay from wherever they are in the store. Customers will be able to use their loyalty account on the carts, giving them access to personalized promotions and savings as they shop. 

Geissler’s will replace a majority of its traditional shopping carts with Caper Carts over the coming months.

"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 personalized," said Bob Rybick, president and CEO of Geissler's Supermarkets and IGA retailer advisory board chairman. "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."

"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," said David McIntosh, VP and GM of connected stores at Instacart. "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."

Geissler's Supermarkets has seven locations, including six in Connecticut: Bloomfield, Somers, Granby, Windsor, South Windsor and East Windsor; and one in Agawam, Mass. 

Headquartered in San Francisco, Instacart partners with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 80,000 stores across North America on the Instacart Marketplace.