According to a press release on Bizcommunity, Checkers, a brand of the Shoprite Group, will open a new Checkers Midstream store in Centurion that will be the first in Gauteng to feature its Xpress Trolley smart shopping cart.
The Xpress Trolley is a battery-powered cart equipped with a barcode scanner, a small screen and a payment module. Customers can scan each product as they place it in the trolley, see a running total of their spend and complete payment directly on the device, eliminating the need to queue at a traditional checkout. The cart also displays product information, personalised promotions and can guide shoppers to items within the store.
The new Checkers FX Midstream store offers a full grocery and general merchandise range, including a Meat Market, Hot & Cold Foods Deli, Bakery, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, a Sushi and Smoothie Bar, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and a Money Market counter for financial services. The format is complemented by a Uniq Clothing by Checkers outlet, the retailer’s fashion brand that recently hit 50 stores nationwide, and a Petshop Science unit that supplies pet food, treats and vet-approved brands.
The store is managed by Bongani Chabalala, who joined the Shoprite Group in 2013 and became branch manager in November 2024. “Our team is looking forward to welcoming shoppers and delivering the customer-first service and world-class shopping experience they have come to expect from Checkers,” Chabalala said.
The Gauteng rollout follows trials of the Xpress Trolley at two Checkers stores in the Western Cape. The retailer says the technology is part of a broader effort to reduce friction in the physical shopping environment and to meet growing consumer expectations for speed and convenience.
For local retailers and suppliers, the introduction of smart carts may raise the bar for in-store experience, prompting competitors to consider similar digital upgrades or to adjust product offerings to meet shoppers who can now see promotions and product details instantly. The development also creates new jobs in the Midstream Estate, adding to the retail mix in the area.
Read more about similar retail innovations in our SME & Entrepreneurship coverage.
Checkers FX Midstream occupies a spot in the new Shopping on Eastway retail centre on the outskirts of the secure Midstream Estate in Centurion, Gauteng, and will welcome shoppers daily from 8am to 8pm. The opening adds a fresh layer of retail technology to the area, with the Xpress Trolley slated to appear in the coming weeks. By placing the smart carts in a store that already blends grocery, deli and financial services, the retailer aims to showcase how digital tools can coexist with traditional formats, giving customers a seamless experience from entry to exit without the need for a conventional checkout lane.
Branch manager Bongani Chabalala began his Shoprite Group journey in 2013 as a perishables general assistant, later moving through roles such as stock counting clerk and trainee manager before attaining the branch manager position in November 2024. He reflected on the progression, noting that each step deepened his understanding of store operations and customer expectations. This background informs his confidence that the new smart-cart offering will complement the store’s broad merchandise mix and reinforce the team’s commitment to a customer-first approach.
The Uniq Clothing by Checkers outlet within the Midstream store marks another milestone in the brand’s national expansion, having recently reached a total of 50 stores across South Africa. Uniq positions itself around quality fabrics, contemporary style and accessible pricing, supported by a modern store environment and quick self-service checkout. By integrating the fashion format alongside grocery and pet-care, Checkers aims to draw a wider demographic, encouraging shoppers to browse clothing while they shop for everyday essentials.
Petshop Science completes the retail mix at the development, supplying pet food, treats, toys and a selection of vet-approved local and international brands. The inclusion of this specialised pet-care concept not only broadens the product offering for families but also creates additional employment opportunities within the Midstream Estate. Staff are trained to advise customers on nutrition and product suitability, reinforcing the retailer’s emphasis on knowledgeable service across all three formats.
The Xpress Trolley is engineered to combine shopping, checkout and digital assistance in a single device. Shoppers scan each item as they move through the aisles, the cart records a running total and displays product information and personalised promotions on its screen. When the customer is ready, the payment module processes the transaction directly on the trolley, eliminating the need to approach a traditional checkout. In-store navigation cues also guide shoppers to specific locations, helping them locate items quickly and efficiently.
Following the Centurion launch, Checkers plans to extend the smart-cart rollout to additional Gauteng outlets later in the year, with the technology expected to be operational in the new stores within weeks of each opening. The retailer will monitor usage data and customer feedback to fine-tune the system before considering broader national deployment. Ongoing assessments will focus on transaction speed, cart reliability and the impact on queue lengths, ensuring the rollout aligns with the group’s broader ambition to reduce friction in the physical shopping environment.
