Full Breakdown
AI-Powered Smart Carts Boost Grocery Spending
9/9/2026, 12:10:41 AM
Core Findings from European Study
A March 2025 study at a major German supermarket chain examined 12,418 shopping sessions, of which 9,422 used a smart-cart with a tablet-style screen. Published in the *Journal of Business Research*, it found shoppers using the smart cart spent 32 % more and bought 25 % more items, staying 23 % longer in the store. The spending gap widened in afternoons and weekends, with the longest visits in the evening.
Deployment in the United States
Instacart reports its AI-powered Caper Carts operate in thousands of locations across more than 100 cities and 15 states, serving retailers such as Kroger, Schnucks, ShopRite, Fairway Market, and Weis Markets. Amazon’s Dash Cart, which shows prices, a running total, and personalized deals, is slated to expand to dozens of Whole Foods stores by the end of 2026.
Data and Statistics
- 32 % higher average spend per smart-cart shopper.
- 25 % increase in items purchased.
- 23 % longer in-store duration.
- “Superusers” interacting with the screen more than 20 times bought more items and lingered longer, but did not spend more overall; beyond that threshold, basket size and spend declined.
Why Retailers Are Interested
The study’s lead author says the findings suggest retailers could achieve significant revenue gains by deploying smart carts, which can deliver special offers and new-product recommendations directly while shoppers decide.
Instacart states its Caper Cart uses basket-facing cameras, built-in scales, and location-tracking to detect products and shopper movement. The company claims prompts reminding shoppers of forgotten items have increased average basket size in internal testing, with recommendations triggered by basket contents and cart location.
Amazon notes the newest Dash Cart can bypass traditional checkout lines, offering convenience for time-pressed consumers while still presenting targeted promotions.
Privacy and Consumer Guidance
Both Instacart and Amazon acknowledge that smart carts collect visual data, weight measurements, and movement patterns, linking these inputs to purchase histories. Consumers should review privacy settings of loyalty programs, treat on-cart suggestions as advertising, monitor the running total displayed, and compare receipts after each trip.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The German study shows an association between smart-cart use and higher spending but does not prove causation. Shoppers who choose a smart cart may already intend to purchase more, or have longer lists that make the technology appealing. No longitudinal data assess whether the spending increase persists over multiple visits.
Impact on the Shopping Experience
Smart carts can streamline checkout, provide real-time cost visibility, and offer personalized assistance such as locating items or suggesting alternatives. However, the screen can also expose shoppers to additional promotions at moments when they are most receptive, potentially inflating the total bill.
What’s Next
Amazon plans to roll out its Dash Cart to a broader network of Whole Foods locations by the end of 2026, while Instacart continues to expand Caper Cart deployments and refine recommendation algorithms. Retailers and consumers will need to balance AI-driven convenience with the risk of increased spending.
