Retail

New Checkers with smart trolleys launches in top South African security estate

Kirsten Minnaar • 1 October 2026

A new upmarket Checkers store at Shopping on Eastway in Midstream Estate is introducing Xpress smart trolleys as the retailer expands its technology offering to South African shoppers.

Shopping on Eastway opened on 1 October 2026, and is positioned towards Midstream’s higher-income market, with a dedicated sushi bar, wine section and wellness area.

One of the most exciting features of the new store is its Xpress smart trolleys, which are expected to be rolled out within the next few days.

The Xpress Trolley was developed by the ShopriteX innovation team and allows customers to scan and pack products while shopping, track their spending and pay without visiting a traditional till.

The technology was first tested with Shoprite employees at Checkers Hyper Brackenfell from mid-August.

Ten trolleys are now being made available at that store, with another 10 at Checkers Constantia. The Shopping on Eastway store will be the first in Gauteng to feature the technology.

The Xpress Trolley features a screen that guides customers through the shopping experience.

Shoppers start by scanning their Xtra Savings card below the screen. They then place the supplied shopping bags in the trolley and scan each product before putting it inside.

The screen displays a running total, product information and personalised promotions. It can also show shoppers where products are located inside the store, which means they don’t have to search through different sections.

Once shopping is complete, customers move to a dedicated checkout lane and pay directly from the trolley using the bank card linked to their Checkers Sixty60 profile.

They then collect a printed till slip and leave through the checkout gate without visiting a conventional till point. A concierge is available to assist where required.

Neil Schreuder, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at the Shoprite Group, said the technology is intended to give customers greater control over the shopping process.

“This pilot allows us to reimagine the in-store journey using technology for a more frictionless shopping experience.”

He added that the technology could also benefit Checkers Sixty60 by helping in-store shoppers complete orders more quickly and accurately.

“The Xpress Trolley enhances convenience, improves speed, and keeps customers in control from the moment they enter the store to the moment they leave.”

The trolleys are part of Shoprite’s broader strategy to connect its physical stores with its digital services.

At Shopping on Eastway, Midstream residents will also have access to Checkers Sixty60 deliveries from a store located within the estate, which could reduce delivery times.

Shopping on Eastway

The new Shopping on Eastway development is the third and largest shopping centre in Midstream Estate.

It was built by Bondev, the company behind Midstream Estate, and adds retail, restaurants, healthcare and office space to the estate.

Alongside the Checkers store, the centre also includes Woolworths Food and Woolworths Cellar. This means local residents will now have access to two of the country’s most popular grocers.

Other stores include Freedom of Movement, Pick n Pay Clothing, Uniq Clothing by Checkers, Fine Linen, Plumblink and Pool Warehouse.

Beauty and personal-care businesses include Conditioned Hairdressing, Polished the Experience and Waxit.

The centre also includes gift and speciality stores such as Handelshuis, Midstream Flowers & Gift Co, The Crazy Store, Trendy Toy Shop, PNA, Trendy Gadgets and Tyreworx.

Restaurants include Bossa Goodtimes, Calisto’s, Doppio Zero, Kauai, Starbucks, Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream and Woolworths Café.

A large children’s play area is located between the restaurant outlets, with features such as climbing walls, water features, and a trampoline.

Shopping on Eastway also has a healthcare component. The medical precinct brings together general practitioners, dentists, physiotherapists, psychologists, dietitians, pathologists, and other healthcare services.

The Local Choice Pharmacy Midstream forms part of the healthcare offering. Practitioner-supervised hydration and wellness services are also available. A seven-storey office block is also located next to the retail centre.

The development forms part of Midstream Estate’s wider retail network, which also includes Square@Midstream and Shopping on Ridgeway.

Bondev said the three centres are intended to give residents more options for shopping, dining, and accessing services within the estate.