IBM Mobile Shopper personalises retail

IBM has introduced retail technology that allows consumers to scan items into their mobile phones while shopping and then check themselves out at an IBM self-checkout station, Retail Customer Experience writes.

Designed to help retailers provide a more customised in-store shopping experience for smartphone shoppers, the IBM Mobile Shopper application incorporates Honeywell mobile scanning technology capable of scanning virtually any bar code, no matter what background it is printed on, the direction it faces or the packaging covering it, according to a company press release.

According to FinChannel, the solution currently runs on the Google Android and Apple iOS operating systems.

A recent IBM Institute of Business Value study found that self-checkout is the preferred way to shop for most consumers today, and they are very specific about the way they want to use mobile technology while shopping.

The new mobile phone application is powered by IBM ACE software, Store Integrator software, and the newest release of IBM Self-Checkout software, which provides shoppers the same access to digital coupons, loyalty programmes and special promotions at self-checkout stations that is traditionally available at fully-staffed point-of-sale checkout lanes, Apparel notes.

"Retailers can now deliver a more personalised shopping experience that is less of a chore and more of a convenience for consumers," says John Gaydac, VP, IBM Retail Store Solutions.