AI Carts Know What You Almost Bought

AI Carts Know What You Almost Bought

AI Carts Know What You Almost Bought

https://www.pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/ai-carts-know-what-you-almost-bought/

Publish Date: 2026-07-10 13:05:00

Source Domain: www.pymnts.com

  • Instacart’s Caper Carts aim to bridge the gap in retail data by tracking what customers almost buy, including items they pick up, compare, or reject.
  • These AI-powered carts, now deployed in select Weis Markets locations, offer real-time basket tracking, personalized coupons, loyalty management, and on-cart advertising.
  • Equipped with advanced technology like cameras and scales, Caper Carts provide in-store behavioral data equivalent to online clickstream data, enhancing retailers’ understanding of shopper intent.
  • Instacart has expanded its Caper Cart usage across over 100 cities, collaborating with multiple retailers to provide actionable insights.
  • The systems represent a shift toward leveraging in-aisle behavioral data as a valuable advertising asset, with examples like Amazon’s Store Analytics and Walmart Chile’s smart cart deployments.
  • As more online shoppers increasingly rely on AI tools, capturing in-store behavioral data becomes crucial for maintaining a retail data advantage.