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Highlights

  • AI-powered Caper Carts to debut at Morrisons store in early 2026
  • Integration with Morrisons loyalty program enables personalized deals and real-time spend tracking
  • Instacart’s first UK retail partnership signals potential wider adoption across supermarket chains

Instacart (NASDAQ: CART) has announced its first UK retail partnership, teaming up with Morrisons, one of the country’s largest supermarket operators, to introduce AI-powered Caper Carts. The smart shopping trolleys are scheduled for an early 2026 rollout at one Morrisons store, marking a significant international expansion for Instacart’s retail technology solutions.

Caper Carts are equipped with built-in scales, computer vision sensors, and interactive digital screens. Shoppers can scan items as they shop, weigh produce, track their spending in real time, and complete checkout directly from the cart—bypassing traditional checkout lanes. The technology will also integrate with the Morrisons More Card loyalty program, providing personalized deals and promotions directly on the cart screen.

“Our mission is to make grocery shopping smarter, easier, and more connected,” said a Morrisons spokesperson. “Bringing Caper Carts to our customers is a way to test how this technology can improve the in-store experience.”

Currently, Instacart’s Caper Carts operate in nearly 100 cities across 15 U.S. states, serving major retailers such as Kroger, Schnucks, Wakefern, and Coles. The UK launch represents an important market entry for Instacart, which has been steadily expanding its retail technology offerings beyond its core delivery business.

The initial deployment is limited to one Morrisons location, meaning adoption and scalability will depend on customer response and technical performance. However, analysts note that the partnership opens opportunities for Instacart to monetize in-store retail media through the carts’ digital screens, offering brands a new channel for targeted advertising at the point of purchase.