A POPULAR grocery store is rolling out a major change that has shoppers fearing an increase in prices.
Wegmans will begin using its smart shopping cart technology at stores in Central New York later this month, but shoppers have already noticed the fleet lined up at some locations.
GettyWegmans is rolling out its new technology to make shopping a breeze[/caption] YouTubeThe company has released smart shopping carts with touch screens[/caption]The new carts have a touch screen that faces the handlebar, giving shoppers instructions on how to scan a product’s barcode.
The directions have green lights and a beep, signalling when an item can be put inside the shopper’s bag within the cart.
Wegmans called the carts “an early-stage technology that we believe could be offered to our customers as an alternative way to shop in our stores in the future,” in a statement.
A spokesperson added that a Wegmans in DeWitt, New York — about four hours north of New York City — was chosen as one of four stores in the state to be part of the company’s “Smart Cart Test & Learn Pilots.”
The other locations are in Perinton and Pittsford in Rochester, and Alberta Drive in Buffalo.
Employee testing has already begun in DeWitt, with select customers having the chance to try the new tech before it opens to the public on June 27.
The company is only allowing four locations to gather customer feedback and add any last-minute improvements.
“Our goal is to determine if Smart Cart Technology is a fit for the unique shopping assortment offered in our stores and if it meets the shopping needs of our customers,” Evelyn Ingraham, a spokesperson for Wegmans, told local ABC affiliate WSYR-TV.
However, some customers aren’t so excited about the change and worry that the new tech might cause prices to spike.
Many shoppers shared their reactions on Facebook, with one person calling it a “terrible idea.”
“Can I just have customer service at a register where I get to talk to someone and be greeted nicely for spending my money and have my bags filled?” asked another person.
A third person called it an “unnecessary waste of money,” writing, “What is necessary is affordable, healthy food. People want lower prices not ‘smart’ carts.”
Another person was worried about the beeping from the carts, writing that they’ll be forced to hear it throughout the aisles as people shop.
“If this happens, I may lose my mind,” they wrote.
Another shopper questioned if the change would lead to lower costs before writing, “Probably not.”
“They won’t need as many cashiers in the future,” they wrote.
This isn’t the first time that Wegmans has turned to technology in its stores.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the company launched the SCAN app, allowing customers to scan each item with their phones.
However, the app was shut down in 2022, with the company citing theft as the reason.
“Unfortunately, the losses we are experiencing from this program prevent us from continuing to make it available in its current state,” the company said at the time.
“We’ve learned a lot, and we will continue to introduce new digital solutions to streamline your shopping experience for the future.”
GettyThe carts can scan items, making shopping faster[/caption] GettyHowever, some shoppers aren’t excited about the change[/caption] Read More Details
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