Carrefour and Dutch technology giant Philips have joined forces in order to test a system by which e-coupons can be sent to grocery shoppers' phones as they browse aisles, according to Reuters.
The system uses LED lights to allow an individual's movement to be tracked, so that when they are, for example, in the fresh-produce section, coupons are transmitted (or 'beamed') to their phones, allowing for discounts on individual products.
For this, a smartphone's camera is utilised, though the light pulses are not visible to human eyes. The technology is only activated on a phone when it has downloaded Carrefour's mobile software application.
The system is at present being tested in a Carrefour outlet in Lille. There is potential for a roll-out upon a successful trial.
The fiscal details of the Carrefour-Philips arrangement have not been disclosed.
© 2015 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article written by Peter Donnelly.
