A study from Bayes Business School at City St. George's, University of London, finds that shoppers using AI-powered smart shopping carts spent 32% more at a German supermarket chain compared to those using regular trolleys, highlighting how technology changes buying habits.
- AI smart carts increased average spending by 32%
- Shoppers bought 25% more items and spent 23% more time in-store
- Heavy users interacted more with the AI but didn’t consistently spend more
What happened
Researchers at Bayes Business School studied over 12,000 shopping sessions at a major German supermarket in March 2025, comparing behavior between users of traditional carts and AI-powered smart carts equipped with tablets. These smart carts offered features like digitized shopping lists, personalized product recommendations, in-store navigation, and checkout without queues.
Data showed that customers using the AI carts spent an average 32% more, bought roughly 25% more items, and spent about 23% longer in the store. Spending was particularly elevated during weekend and afternoon shopping, while longer, more relaxed visits were common in the evenings.
Why it feels good
The AI smart cart experience reduces friction throughout the shopping trip. By organizing lists and guiding users directly to desired products, it creates a smoother and potentially more enjoyable journey through the aisles. This digital assistance can feel like a helpful shopping companion, making decisions and navigation easier.
For retailers, this means a valuable opportunity to engage consumers more deeply. The smart cart’s screen also functions as an advertising platform, allowing stores to highlight deals and new products in real time, which can boost both customer satisfaction and business revenue.
What to enjoy or watch next
Interestingly, shoppers identified as “superusers” — those who interacted with the smart cart screen more than 20 times per trip — did not show a rise in overall spending despite buying more items and spending more time in-store. This suggests that heavy engagement with the AI might encourage more deliberate, value-conscious buying rather than just impulse spending.
Future research could explore how this technology influences shopping psychology and spending patterns, and how to optimize AI tools for both consumer benefit and retailer profitability. Expect more stores to adopt similar innovations as digitalization becomes a key part of in-person shopping.