RETAIL STRATEGY

African supermarket giant trials checkout-free grocery shopping

By our News Team | 2021

Shoprite Group unveils its first automated and cashless ‘no queues, no checkout, no waiting’ concept store.

Pan-African supermarket group Shoprite has begun trialling a cashless and checkout-free concept store called Checkers Rush.

The store, which is operating in Cape Town and only available to employees at this stage, may be launched in other African locations if the trial proves a success.

According to Shoprite, Checkers Rush is an automated, cashless ‘no queues, no checkout, no waiting’ concept where staff can grab products and walk out.

And in case you think this sounds like an open invitation to the dishonest, the store uses advanced artificial intelligence (AI) camera technology to identify the products being taken off the shelves. It then debits the user’s nominated credit card or bank account upon exit from the store.

Checkout-free shopping is becoming more common around the world. Amazon, for example, uses it for many of its Amazon Fresh outlets in the United States and elsewhere.

According to retail industry research, current machine-learning algorithms can already assign goods to shoppers as accurately as the average cashier, making checkout-free shopping both practical and economically viable.

Data-driven marketers can gain robust analytics

From a data perspective, retailers’ marketing teams can gain robust analytics on product movements, buying trends and customers’ purchasing behaviour.

The unveiling of the Checkers Rush concept is part of the launch of the Shoprite Group’s new digital business unit, dubbed Shoprite^x.

Incubated over the past year, the Shoprite^x unit is combining data science and technology to create more personalised shopping experiences for customers. It has already delivered two innovations – the fast-growing Xtra Savings rewards programme, and Checkers’ popular ‘Sixty60’ on-demand grocery delivery service that promises home delivery within 60 minutes.

The new division’s 250-strong staff complement includes data science, e-commerce and personalisation experts. They work with Shoprite’s IT team to form a combined group of over 1,000 people working to create and implement new innovations.

“We are serious about being Africa’s most customer-centric retailer, and the launch of Shoprite^x represents our investment in fit-for-the-future precision retail, which is increasingly digital and data-led,” said Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of the Shoprite Group.

Watch a video about Shoprite^x here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15aSCJ9pBaI

We know AI influencers aren’t real – so why do we trust them?

Researchers describe AI influencers as having a ‘dual identity’. Consumers evaluate both ‘person’ and ‘technology’ identities at once.

Hotel receptionist assisting a guest at the check in counter with a gray suitcase nearby behind the desk

Why trust has become a critical asset for hotel industry marketers

Reputation and trust, once modest influences on hotel choice, have become some of the strongest predictors of patronage, study finds.

Three people in formal attire pose for a photo at an awards event a woman in a pink dress holds a trophy while two men in suits stand beside her against a gold confetti backdrop

FNB bank’s eBucks programme dominates the 2026 SA loyalty awards

South African brands are increasingly setting the global benchmark for customer loyalty strategies, organisers say.

Portrait of a man with short black hair and a beard wearing a black button down shirt against a light gray background

Zambia’s strongest creative ideas are emerging from local truths

Global influences among younger consumers are still present, but they are being filtered through a distinctly Zambian lens.

Yellow humanoid robot at a bakery counter inspecting a display of donuts on display in front of glass cases

Consumers have doubts about products when they’re designed by AI

Researchers find that lack of perceived ‘genuine care’ is the mechanism connecting AI involvement to lower trust ratings.

Top african marketing voices confirmed for amc

Top African marketing voices confirmed for AMC 2026

Explore the 2026 AMC Conference speaker line-up. Top African marketing voices gather in Zambia to tackle AI, AfCFTA, and brand power. Register today.

Person holding two smartphones with app icons visible on their screens a large tv screen in the background shows colorful app icons

Broadcast Research Council confirms launch of total video measurement

New industry currency will bring South African television and online video audiences together in a single measurement system.

Dj performing on a brightly lit stage as colorful lights shine over a dancing crowd

Sense of belonging and atmosphere are key to attracting event-goers

Making people feel that an event space reflects their values leads to long-term loyalty and spending. FOMO also plays its part.

Smiling woman with curly hair in a yellow and white striped shirt holds a red can and points to the text 'what makes some ai ads creepy '

Researchers examine why some AI ads fail while others succeed

Norms may change, but right now it’s better to err on the side of caution when using AI in advertisements, study finds.

Woman in a denim jacket looks at her phone while standing with a shopping cart in a grocery store aisle holding a boxed item

Study examines drivers of FMCG purchases in three African markets

GeoPoll insights report from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa finds that quality remains the key purchase driver in FMCG.

E-commerce retailer aims to speak to the hearts of South Africans

As the country celebrates Heritage Month, Takealot embarks on a campaign to speak to consumers in all 12 official languages.