Innovation in Retail Accessibility: Smart Carts as Catalysts for Change in Supermarkets

In a traditional retail environment, navigation and communication are significant challenges faced by both retailers and customers. This paper aims to understand the problems permeating supermarket environments and create an innovative, futuristic solution to solve said issues. The limitations of people with different abilities and backgrounds are also examined, and possible interventions to improve accessibility are considered. Through habitat studies, interviews, and an extensive literature review, the current scenario is gauged, and solutions to each issue are formed. By using advanced technology such as sensors, AI, and interactive displays, smart carts offer a myriad of features such as self-navigation, an interactive shopping companion, an expedited checkout system, and the like can be implemented. These features aim to personalise and streamline shopping experiences such that they can cater to a diverse customer base’s needs and preferences. The paper further discusses implications for future research and industry implications of employing similar technologies in an increasingly digitised retail environment.