News

More retail technology on the way, and soon

April 10, 2008

Arizona Daily Star: More new technologies are likely on the way for retail stores, speakers said Thursday at this year's Global Retailing Conference, held by the University of Arizona's Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing. On the horizon for major retailers, according to the speakers, are technologies that allow transactions to be made using cell phones or by sliding a palm over a scanner; shopping carts that can add up totals for items and send that information to a cash register; and "smart tags" that allow consumers to find detailed information by scanning the tags with a cell phone or other hand-held devices.

"The pace of change is very, very fast," Jan de Jong, worldwide industry solutions manager for Microsoft Corp., said about technological innovations in retail. "Consumers are used to technology and will expect it from retailers."