Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Smart Shopping Cart Delivers Targeted Ads
Come on, admit it, you've been frustrated many times by not being able to quickly find items in the supermarket or at a megastore. I've wondered many times why their weren't a few kiosks to show you where to find things (like where the heck are bread crumbs -- with the condiments or near the cooking oil?) since finding an employee to answer questions can be nearly impossible. Enter the MediaCart, a shopping cart with a video screen that uses controls on the handle to help you locate the items you need. In partnership with Microsoft, ShopRite is rolling out the smart cart that generates special offers and targeted ads based on the data from your customer loyalty programs.
This is a useful integration of technology that should not draw objections for privacy concerns. Loyalty programs are opt-in, and consumers choose to have their cards scan so that the carts know who they are.
The benefits -- showing you where items are, info about store specials and targeted coupons -- are worth the small amount of privacy you give up. If you don't want to participate, you don't have to.
I can't wait for this technology to arrive at the Home Depot and Lowe's, where finding hardware requires a sherpa and packing a lunch.
Via Search Engine Journal.
Posted By John Gartner at 09:24 AM
Permanent Link: Smart Shopping Cart Delivers Targeted Ads
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