[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: American Ingenuity

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
American Ingenuity
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1200670304.shtml


   The grocery business is highly competitive. Remember the Lund's store
   that had to close in Eden Prairie, whose residents preferred lower
   prices at Cub? But there are niche and upscale market segments out
   there, served by Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Simon Delivers, for
   example. Byerly's and Lunds now offer online/pickup shopping, and even
   some traditional stores like Rainbow (Roundy's) still bag your
   groceries.
   No matter where I shop, though, I find it's still an effort I endure
   more than enjoy. But there's hope thanks to new technology now being
   piloted at Shop-Rite, [1]CRM Smartcarts. Shop-Rite operates about 200
   stores in the New York area.
   The idea is that you can pre-shop on line, then via a customer loyalty
   card identify yourself to your shopping cart, equipped with a mobile
   computer that will import your shopping list. Further, it maps out the
   store, showing you where to find the items, perhaps helping you pick
   specific brands or highlighting appropriate specials or quantity
   discounts.
   It manages electronic coupons, too, and presumably expedites checkout.
   Presumably, your online account could then be posted with your "as
   bought" results and track your annual expenses.
   Whoever implements this first here will very likely get my business,
   even if it costs a little more.

References

   1. http://storefrontbacktalk.com/story/011808shoprite