How a Grocery Store is offering Smart Carts & Slow Lanes, Plus Much More…
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How grocery stores are leveraging AI while also offering a human touch for those who still prefer it.
Do you view grocery shopping as a waste of time, a productivity killer? Sobeys got you. You can use their Smart Cart to crush your shopping in no time. On the other hand, do you feel that the world has changed significantly, becoming increasingly isolated due to excessive technology and a lack of human contact? Sobeys has a Slow Lane for customers to enjoy a chat with the cashier.
Sobeys is a chain of grocery stores in Edmonton, Canada. Sobeys has introduced an “intelligent” shopping cart, known as Sobeys Smart Cart, a technology-enhanced shopping cart designed to improve in-store checkout lineups. The carts 
feature multiple cameras, a scanner, a scale, and an integrated payment system. A touchscreen display shows on-board items, in-store promotions, and a running tally of purchases, allowing customers to pay on the spot. Equipped with AI and machine learning technology, the cart will also make product suggestions to complement a recipe based on what a shopper has already added to their cart. Check the Smart Cart out in this video.
Benefits of the Smart Cart
- It is described as giving “teammates more time to interact with customers and answer questions,” which implies a benefit in terms of throughput or resource reallocation.
- They reduce checkout friction — shoppers can add items to their cart as they shop and skip traditional checkout lines.
- They provide real-time spending feedback (helpful for budget-conscious shoppers).
- They offer retailers data and marketing opportunities, including the insertion of targeted promotions, integration with loyalty systems, and tracking shopping behavior.
Sobeys is not the only grocery chain to introduce smart carts. ShopRite has locations in the Philadelphia region. Wegmans is testing smart carts in its Upstate New York locations.
Social Slow Lane at the Grocery Store
“The checkout line is about checking in on others.”
In addition to “Smart Carts”, Sobeys has also implemented a “Slow Social Lane” (also known as a slow checkout lane) 
for individuals who prefer to chat with the cashier and take more time, rather than rushing through the checkout process.
In a world that seems to prioritize speed and efficiency for those who move quickly, the slow lane offers customers the chance to take a breath and enjoy a conversation. “The checkout line is about checking in on others,” says Jason Rutledge, a cashier at Sobeys.
The lane is described in an article: “Conversations in the Sobeys slow social lane in Edmonton can range from seconds to sometimes up to 15 minutes.” The slow lane gives grocery shoppers more than time at the checkout… designed for shoppers who like to take their time, maybe chat a while. It’s part of a broader trend: enabling connection and human interaction in a world moving toward faster, digital checkout experiences. Check out this short video of Sobeys’ “Slow Lane” in action.
Are you meeting your customers where they want to be met? Are you offering technology that helps reduce unnecessary steps for both your customers and team members, while providing a meaningful human component that meets the expertise and emotional connection our customers and team members want and need today?
By combining AI and human expertise, businesses can create more meaningful, engaging interactions that resonate with customers. Brands must strike a balance between automation and the right amount of human expertise. The DiJulius Group can help. Let’s set up a call.
