iPads come to Sainsbury's shopping trolleys: It's a supermarket sweep for Apple

Kensington store showcases shopping trolleys with iPad dock built-in

There are plenty of iPad accessories available to customise your Apple tablet, but a shopping trolley with a built-in iPad dock is certainly among the more unusual.

The trolleys, being piloted at a west London Sainsbury's store, come complete with tilting iPad holder and speakers so customers can shop while listening to music or catching up on their favourite shows through the BBC iPlayer app.

The iPad trolleys come fitted with tilting iPad holder and speakersPhoto: Sky/Jack Barnes

To prevent a pile-up on aisle number four, the trolleys have also been fitted with a front bumper equipped with sensors to alert engrossed shoppers of their proximity to other trolleys, shoppers and obstacles.

A solar-powered battery on the trolley powers the sensors and keeps the iPad charged so shoppers don't have to worry about having their entertainment interrupted.

The trolleys are being trialled at the Sainsbury's store on Cromwell Road in Kensington, but there are no current plans to roll them out nationwide.

The trolleys have been bought into Sainsbury's West London store by broadcaster Sky to promote Sky Go service which allows Sky subscribers to watch Sky Sports, ESPN and Sky News on multiple devices including iPads.

Unfortunately, shoppers hoping to use the tablet-friendly trolleys will have to provide their own iPads.