Smart Grocery Carts
Posted by Sandy Berger on January 21st, 2008
Just posted a link to a story about smart grocery carts. Microsoft has developed the technology and, later this year will be testing the smart carts.
This is actually something that I’ve been looking forward to. Shoppers will be able to create a grocery list of needed items at home. then they can bring up their list at the store, have the items checked off as they put them in the cart, and keep a running total of their costs. All of this would be tied to the grocery store’ customer loyalty cards, which may be the first of many possible uses of these cards.
Evidently there is also a way to scan and pay for the items without waiting in checkout lines. This is not explained, but would be fantastic if true… a precursor to what we will be able to do with RFID tags.
This will be one of the first real tests of targeted digital marketing right in the grocery store. If done properly, it could be great for the consumer. I would be happy to get a coupon for money-off a new cookie as I enter the cookie aisle and would be happy to receive a reminder to buy chips to go with my salsa, as long as it is tastefully done and not jammed down my throat. Wait and watch!
January 28th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Oh sucker don’t you just love “big brother” what else are you wanting to give to them???? Your independent thought process?? Oh Perhaps you already have.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:00 am
The grocery loyalty cards that millions of people use everyday already gives the retailers complete lists of everything we buy. People gladly supply that information to them in return for a few cents off the products they purchase.
There is no doubt that we will sacrifice some of our privacy for the high tech services that we will see in the future.Everyone should be aware of this.