JOHANNESBURG, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Shoppers at Checkers

supermarkets in South Africa could soon be cruising the aisles

with "smart" trolleys that let them know how much money they are

spending and include in-built payment terminals, the chain's

owner Shoprite said.

Similar high-tech shopping trolleys have been rolled out or

piloted in other countries including Chile via Walmart ( WMT ),

and the U.S. and Australia through Coles, but this is

the first time they are being trialled in South Africa.

The pilot comes as Shoprite's upscale Checkers chain ramps

up its challenge to Woolworths for South Africa's

mid-to-affluent consumers in the lucrative upmarket retail

space.

The two retailers have been investing heavily in sleek store

designs, cutting-edge retail technology and premium product

lines.

Following initial testing by office employees at a Checkers

supermarket in Cape Town from mid-August, 20 of the new trolleys

will be made available to customers at two of the chain's

stores, Shoprite said in a statement on Wednesday, without

saying how much it had invested.

Called the Xpress Trolley, the shopping cart lets shoppers

scan items as they go, track a running total on a digital screen

and pay directly on the trolley without needing to queue at a

check-out. The screen also assists with in-store navigation.

Shoprite said the trial was part of its strategy "to become

South Africa's most profitable and seamless omnichannel

retailer".