Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer, has launched an in-store range of virtual technologies for customers to trial which includes an 80 inch touch screen, a virtual changing room and a 'scan as you shop' device.
Tesco’s virtual mirror, launched in three of its stores, is an interactive fitting room. It overlays augmented reality on a real mirror, allowing customers to try on clothes on without wearing them. “You see your reflection and then you can try on digital products and mix and match which trousers go with which shirt with the swipe of a hand,” Tesco’s chief information officer Mike McNamara explained. The latest innovations coincide with Tesco’s new scan as you shop system, based on Motorola’s MC17 handheld devices, using software from Dutch specialist Re-vision. This self-scanning system is complimented by self-service payment terminals from NCR and will be rolled out nationwide following successful trials. “You’ll use scan as you go when you get to the checkout. It’ll be ‘bye bye paper receipts’, we’ll email you your receipt, meaning quicker checkouts and no more queues,”McNamara said.
The retailer is also testing the ‘Endless Aisle’ concept in its toy aisles. Endless aisles are giant touch screens where customers can enter their age, gender and desired price range and filter over 11,000 products. The ‘endless aisle’ provides 3D images and detailed descriptions of the products in a bid to make shopping as convenient as possible.
Tesco’s new virtual merchandising will also save on shelf space. It can now build a 3D representation of its stores and experiment with stock display with the flick of a switch.
McNamara said these technologies will transform retail in the coming years.“In the future your smartphone will be your clubcard, your shopping basket, your wallet and even your own personal till,” he relayed. (4 Dec)
© 2012 - ESM: European Supermarket Magazine
