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Pocket scanner could
signal end of lost shopping lists
A supermarket is testing a pocket scanner which it says could signal the
end of scribbled shopping lists.
The Sainsbury's 'Pocket Shopper' is designed to be taken home by
customers so they can scan barcodes as products run out.
Customers can link the egg-shaped device to an in-store computer so
staff can pick out the items on their electronic shopping list.
Spokesman Greg Dawson, said: "People can carry the scanner with
them all the time. They might be at a dinner party and enjoy a
particular bottle of wine, then add it to their shopping list."
The Sunday Telegraph
reports the supermarket has yet to decide whether it will charge people
to use the battery-powered device.
Diana Hunter, Sainsbury's future stores senior manager, said: "This
new gadget means customers should never leave anything off their
shopping list again. There will be no need to carry around pieces of
paper which are easy to lose."
A pilot project involving 200 people is being carried out at the
company's Hazel Grove store in Manchester. Rival supermarkets say they
are monitoring the success of the trial.
Consumer psychologists says the device will probably appeal more to
women, as they tend to stay loyal to brands rather than buy on impulse.
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