Smart Shopping Cart Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented by Technology (Barcodes, RFID, and Zigbee), By Application (Supermarket, Shopping Malls, and Others), By Mode of Sales (Direct, Distributor), By Region, Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.94 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	29.33%
Fastest Growing Segment	RFID
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 9.08 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Smart Shopping Cart Market will grow from USD 1.94 Billion in 2025 to USD 9.08 Billion by 2031 at a 29.33% CAGR. Smart shopping carts are retail trolleys integrated with embedded hardware and software, such as barcode scanners, weighing scales, and payment terminals, designed to facilitate self-checkout and real-time budget tracking. The Global Smart Shopping Cart Market is primarily driven by the imperative for retailers to mitigate labor shortages and optimize operational efficiency by reducing checkout wait times. This growth is further supported by the increasing necessity for data-driven inventory management and the reduction of friction in the customer journey. According to FMI – The Food Industry Association, in 2024, 81% of retailers reported experimenting with in-store technologies to enhance the shopping experience, reflecting the sector's commitment to these digital advancements.

Despite the positive growth trajectory, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the substantial capital expenditure required for deployment and fleet maintenance. Retailers often struggle to justify the return on investment for these high-cost assets compared to traditional units, particularly when facing low profit margins. Furthermore, the risk of inventory shrinkage and the technical complexity of integrating these autonomous units with legacy point-of-sale systems can deter widespread adoption, effectively slowing the scalability of smart cart solutions across the broader retail landscape.

Key Market Drivers

Growing demand for frictionless and cashier-less checkout experiences is compelling retailers to fundamentally restructure their in-store operations. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing speed and convenience, often viewing traditional checkout lines as a significant friction point that diminishes overall satisfaction. Smart shopping carts address this by enabling a "scan-and-go" model where payment is integrated directly into the aisle traversal, effectively eliminating the need for queuing. This shift is not merely a preference but a competitive differentiator; according to Avery Dennison, January 2024, in a research report regarding consumer shopping behaviors, 37% of shoppers polled across the U.S. and UK indicated they would switch to a retailer offering full check-out free stores. Consequently, retailers are adopting these intelligent units to retain digitally savvy customers and prevent churn to e-commerce competitors.

Simultaneously, the market is propelled by a strategic focus on reducing labor costs and increasing operational efficiency. In an environment of tight profit margins and persistent labor shortages, smart carts serve as autonomous point-of-sale terminals, allowing retailers to reallocate staff from cashier duties to high-value tasks like customer service or restocking. Furthermore, these units generate immediate ROI by streamlining throughput during peak hours. According to Retail Dive, May 2024, citing an Instacart shareholder letter, data from Schnucks Markets revealed that Caper Carts handled more than 10% of sales on busy days in select locations, proving their capacity to manage significant transaction volume. This operational value is driving broader sector commitment; according to Progressive Grocer, July 2024, in the '2024 Grocery Tech Trends Report', 66% of grocers stated they plan to invest in technology this year, with smart carts identified as a top area of interest for enhancing efficiency.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial capital expenditure required for deployment and ongoing fleet maintenance serves as a primary restraint on the growth of the Global Smart Shopping Cart Market. Retailers encounter significant financial hurdles when attempting to replace traditional trolleys with these digitally integrated units, as the initial hardware acquisition costs are exponentially higher than standard models. This financial burden extends beyond the purchase price to include complex repairs and software updates, creating a high total cost of ownership that is difficult to justify for store operators managing strict budgets.

These budgetary constraints directly limit the ability of retailers to scale pilot programs into full-chain deployments. According to the Food Industry Association (FMI), in 2024, the average net profit margin for food retailers was reported at 1.6 percent, leaving minimal liquidity for high-risk infrastructure investments. Consequently, decision-makers are forced to scrutinize the return on investment rigorously, often delaying adoption to preserve capital. This financial pressure effectively creates a bottleneck in market expansion, preventing the widespread integration of smart cart solutions despite their potential to enhance operational efficiency.

Key Market Trends

Smart shopping carts are evolving into dynamic Retail Media Networks, allowing grocers to monetize in-store traffic through real-time advertising. These units leverage location data to display hyper-personalized promotions at the point of decision, effectively converging digital loyalty programs with the physical aisle. This capability transforms the cart from an operational expense into a revenue-generating asset, driving high engagement rates for CPG brands while offsetting hardware costs. According to Stock Titan, October 2025, in the article 'Instacart Powers In-Store and Online Technology for Independent Grocers Nationwide', one retailer utilizing Caper Carts reported that 40% of customers redeemed discounts presented directly on the smart cart screen, validating the efficacy of this media channel.

Simultaneously, the sector is shifting towards modular, clip-on devices designed to retrofit existing fleets. This trend addresses high barriers to entry by enabling retailers to upgrade legacy infrastructure with computer vision and payment capabilities at a scalable pace. These detachable units offer flexibility for maintenance and mass deployment, particularly in regions sensitive to upfront capital outlays. Highlighting this demand for scalable solutions, according to Investing.com, June 2025, in the article 'A2Z Smart Technologies stock surges after securing $25 million smart cart order', the company secured a strategic order for 3,000 next-generation Cust2Mate 3.0 units, which utilize detachable panels, for deployment across Latin America.

Segmental Insights

The Radio Frequency Identification segment is currently projected to experience the fastest growth within the Global Smart Shopping Cart Market. This expansion is primarily attributed to the operational superiority of RFID technology, which allows for the simultaneous detection of multiple items without requiring a direct line of sight. Unlike traditional barcode scanners, this capability enables seamless, automated checkout processes and ensures real-time inventory accuracy for retailers. Consequently, the increasing demand for efficient store operations and reduced labor costs is driving the rapid integration of RFID components into modern retail infrastructure.

Regional Insights

North America maintains the leading position in the global smart shopping cart market due to the extensive adoption of automated retail technologies in the United States. Major supermarket chains are actively deploying smart carts to reduce labor expenses and optimize checkout efficiency. The region benefits from high consumer acceptance of contactless payments and a dense network of organized retail stores. Furthermore, substantial capital allocation by retailers toward store digitization supports market expansion. This strategic focus on reducing friction in physical shopping environments drives the dominance of the North American region.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, A2Z Smart Technologies Corp. secured a significant purchase order for its Cust2Mate smart shopping carts from Super Sapir, a prominent supermarket chain in Israel. The agreement, valued at approximately $30 million, involved the deployment of 3,000 smart carts across the retailer's locations. The deal was structured with a monthly fee model covering hardware, software, maintenance, and support over a 60-month period. This collaboration also granted the technology provider exclusive rights to commercialize digital services and advertising on the carts' screens, establishing a recurring revenue stream while modernizing the retailer's in-store operations.
• In January 2025, Instacart entered into strategic partnerships with point-of-sale technology providers Dumac Business Systems and Truno Retail Technology Solutions. This collaboration aimed to accelerate the adoption of Caper Carts among independent grocery stores and convenience chains. Under the agreement, the partners agreed to handle the implementation, maintenance, and technical support of the smart carts for a broader range of retailers. The initiative was part of the company's effort to streamline the deployment process for smaller grocers, enabling them to offer friction-free checkout experiences and digital features previously limited to larger supermarket chains.
• In October 2024, Instacart launched a suite of new interactive features for its AI-powered Caper Carts to enhance the in-store shopping experience. The update introduced gamified quests, location-based coupons, and aisle-aware advertising capabilities to the smart carts' digital screens. These features were designed to engage customers with personalized rewards and mini-games while they navigated store aisles. The new capabilities were deployed in partnership with major retailers such as Schnucks and Wakefern Food Corp., allowing brands to deliver targeted promotions based on a shopper's real-time location within the supermarket.
• In April 2024, Amazon expanded the availability of its Dash Cart smart shopping technology to third-party grocery retailers. This strategic move marked the first time the company offered its intelligent carts beyond its own Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market locations. Regional grocers, including Price Chopper and McKeever’s Market, began testing the carts at select stores in Kansas and Missouri. The technology utilizes computer vision to identify items, allowing shoppers to skip the checkout line. This development coincided with Amazon's decision to remove its Just Walk Out cashierless technology from its large-format Amazon Fresh stores in the United States.

Key Market Players

• Veeve Inc.
• IMAGR Limited
• Caper Inc.
• Tracxpoint, Inc.
• Amazon.com, Inc.
• Cust2mate Ltd.
• V-Mark Enterprise Limited
• SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
• Retail AI, Inc.
• Smart Cart (Pty) Ltd

By Application	By Mode of Sales	By Region
Supermarket Shopping Malls Others	Direct Distributor	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Smart Shopping Cart Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Smart Shopping Cart Market, By Application:

• Supermarket
• Shopping Malls
• Others

• Smart Shopping Cart Market, By Mode of Sales:

• Direct
• Distributor

• Smart Shopping Cart Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE