Sales management device, sales management method, and program

Abstract

The present invention enables a guest who requests priority sales for a product to preferentially purchase the corresponding product, and a guest who does not request priority sales to also purchase the corresponding product. A POS device 110B includes a transmission unit 117. When a guest purchasing a product entity displayed as a product of priority sales in a store is not a guest who requests the priority sales, the transmission unit 117 transmits, to a salesperson's terminal, an instruction for displaying another entity of the corresponding product.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sales management device, a sales management method, and a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a system that allows customers at retail stores (convenience stores, supermarkets, etc.) to reserve and purchase products. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, customers reserve products by reading information from the RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​tag of the product using a mobile terminal or the like and transmitting the information to a server device. The number of reserved products is managed by subtracting it from the number available for sale, so the products are not sold to anyone other than the customer who made the reservation, and are instead kept in the store.

[0003] As a related technique, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which product samples are displayed in an unmanned store and the actual products are delivered to destinations from a delivery center. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-018385 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-024921 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, even if a store has a product in stock, if the number of products available for sale is zero, the product will not be sold to anyone other than customers who have made a reservation. Therefore, customers who visit the store without making a reservation for the product will not be able to purchase the product, even if the product is in stock.

[0006] One of the purposes of the present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a sales management device, a sales management method, and a recording medium that allow customers who have applied for priority sales of a product to purchase the product on a priority basis, and also allow customers who have not applied for priority sales to purchase the product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the sales management device includes a transmission means for transmitting display instructions for other units of a product displayed as a priority sale item in a store to a store clerk's terminal when the purchaser of the product is other than the customer eligible for priority sale.

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a sales management method transmits instructions to a store clerk's terminal to display other items of a product when the purchaser of the product displayed in a store as a priority item is other than the customer who is the priority item.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable recording medium stores a program that causes a computer to execute a process in which, when a purchaser of an individual product displayed in a store as a priority sales item is other than the customer who is the priority sales item, an instruction to display other individual products of the product is sent to a store clerk's terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The effect of the present disclosure is that customers who have applied for priority sales of a product can purchase the product preferentially, and customers who have not applied for priority sales can also purchase the product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a sales management system 10 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a POS device 110A according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a POS device 110B in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of priority data in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of priority information in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a store server 130 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a priority sales reception process in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a priority sales request screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display waiting notification screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display instruction screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display completion notification screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a preferential sales process in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing the preferential sales process (continuation of FIG. 12) in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a priority notification screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display waiting notification screen (re-display waiting notification screen) in the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display instruction screen (re-display instruction screen) in the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display completion notification screen (re-display completion notification screen) in the first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing detailed configurations of a store server 130B and a POS device 110B in a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a POS device 110B according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of schedule information in the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of priority information in the second embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display waiting notification screen in the second embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display waiting notification screen (re-display waiting notification screen) in the second embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of priority information in the third embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a priority sales request screen in the third embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a priority sales response screen (reception not permitted) in the third embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a priority sales response screen (acceptable) in the third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a POS device 110B according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a sales denial notification screen in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a POS device 110B in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 900. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing and each embodiment described in the specification, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0013] (First embodiment) A first embodiment will be described.

[0014] First, in the first embodiment, an identifier (hereinafter also referred to as ID (IDentifier)) assigned to a product will be described. A product ID and an individual ID are assigned to each individual product. The product ID is an ID for identifying the product name (product name), item, and type of the product, for example. The individual ID is an ID for identifying an individual product with the same product ID. The individual ID is, for example, a serial number assigned to the product when it is produced.

[0015] An RFID tag with the product ID and individual ID of the product is attached to each product. Note that each product may be affixed with not only an RFID tag but also a barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a sticker, or the like indicating the product ID and individual ID of the product.

[0016] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the sales management system 10 in the first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the sales management system 10 in the first embodiment.

[0017] 1, a sales management system 10 of the first embodiment includes store systems 100A and 100B (hereinafter collectively referred to as store systems 100), a headquarters system 200, and customer terminals 300a, 300b, ... (hereinafter collectively referred to as customer terminals 300). The store system 100, headquarters system 200, and customer terminals 300 are connected by a communication network 400.

[0018] The store systems 100A and 100B are installed in a store 1A and a store 1B (hereinafter collectively referred to as store 1), respectively. The store 1A and the store 1B are stores such as convenience stores and supermarket chains in the retail industry.

[0019] Of these, store 1A is, for example, the mother store of store 1B and manages store 1B. Store 1B is a child store of store 1A.

[0020] Furthermore, store 1A is, for example, a regular store in the chain described above, and store 1B is a labor-saving store or an unmanned store. Labor-saving stores and unmanned stores are small stores that use a computer system to reduce the number of staff members on-site compared to regular stores, or even to zero, in order to improve business efficiency and expand into small commercial areas, by reducing the number of staff members required for tasks such as registering purchased items, settling accounts, customer service support, in-store monitoring, inventory management, and equipment management. Products to be sold at store 1B are ordered from store 1A or store 1B to headquarters 2, and are delivered to store 1A from distribution center 7 along with products from store 1A based on delivery instructions from headquarters 2. Products from store 1B are further delivered from store 1A to store 1B by, for example, a staff member of store 1A, and displayed (put out) on shelves or the like in store 1B.

[0021] Both store 1A and store 1B may be regular stores, or both store 1A and store 1B may be staff-saving stores or unstaffed stores. Also, products sold at store 1B may be delivered directly from distribution center 7 to store 1B.

[0022] Store 1B also offers priority sales of products. In priority sales, individual products of the product are sold to customers who have applied for priority sales of the product, with priority over customers who have not applied. Hereinafter, the products, individual products, and customers subject to priority sales will also be referred to as priority products, priority individual products, and priority customers, respectively.

[0023] In store 1B, the priority individuals are displayed by a store clerk so that customers can identify them as being subject to priority sales. For example, the priority individuals are displayed on a priority display shelf 11 in store 1B, and individuals other than the priority individuals are displayed on a regular display shelf 12 that is different from the priority display shelf 11. In this case, the priority display shelf 11 may be provided with an openable door that is opened when the priority individual is removed. Furthermore, the priority individuals and individuals other than the priority individuals may be displayed on the same display shelf, and a sticker or the like indicating that the priority individual is subject to priority sales may be affixed to the priority individual.

[0024] Furthermore, the priority individual may be displayed so that the customer ID of the priority customer of the priority individual can be identified by customers in store 1B. The customer ID is an identifier for identifying a customer. For example, the priority individual may be displayed on a priority display shelf 11 prepared for each priority customer in store 1B. Also, a sticker or the like showing the customer ID of the priority customer may be affixed to the priority individual.

[0025] A priority item may be purchased by a customer other than the priority customer. When a priority item is purchased by a customer other than the priority customer, another item of the same product as the priority item is displayed (re-displayed) by the store clerk as a new priority item so that the customer can identify it as being the subject of priority sales.

[0026] The store system 100A includes a POS (Point Of Sale) device 110A, a store server 130A, and a store terminal 180A. The store system 100B includes a POS device 110B, a store server 130B, and a store terminal 180B. Hereinafter, the POS devices 110A and 110B will also be collectively referred to as the POS device 110. The store servers 130A and 130B will also be collectively referred to as the store server 130. The store terminals 180A and 180B will also be collectively referred to as the store terminal 180.

[0027] In each store system 100, the POS device 110, store server 130, and store terminal 180 are connected by, for example, an in-store network.

[0028] The POS device 110 may also be connected to a card reader / writer 140, a barcode reader 150, a camera 160, and a tag reader / writer 170. The card reader / writer 140, the barcode reader 150, the camera 160, and the tag reader / writer 170 are installed, for example, near the POS device 110. The card reader / writer 140 is a device that reads and writes information from and to a magnetic card or a contactless IC card. The barcode reader 150 is a device that reads barcodes. The camera 160 is an imaging device that captures images of products, customers, etc. The tag reader / writer 170 is a device that reads and writes information from and to an RFID tag.

[0029] 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of POS device 110A in the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, POS device 110A includes a customer identification unit 111, a registration unit 112, a settlement unit 113, and a purchase data generation unit 114.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of POS device 110B in the first embodiment. Referring to Fig. 3, POS device 110B includes a customer identification unit 111, a registration unit 112, a settlement unit 113, and a purchase data generation unit 114 similar to those of POS device 110A, as well as a priority sales reception unit 115, a priority information storage unit 116, a transmission unit 117, a display notification unit 118, a display reception unit 119, a determination unit 120, and a priority notification unit 121.

[0031] The POS device 110B, the priority sales reception unit 115, the priority information storage unit 116, the transmission unit 117, the display notification unit 118, the judgment unit 120, and the priority notification unit 121 are, respectively, embodiments of the sales management device, reception means, storage means, transmission means, second notification means, judgment means, and first notification means of the present disclosure.

[0032] The customer identification unit 111 acquires (identifies) the customer ID of a customer who intends to purchase a product using the card reader / writer 140, the barcode reader 150, and the camera 160. The customer ID may be, for example, a chain member ID. In this case, the customer identification unit 111 acquires, from the card reader / writer 140, the member ID read from a magnetic card or a contactless IC card-type member card presented by the customer. The customer identification unit 111 may also acquire, from the barcode reader 150 or the camera 160, information on a barcode or two-dimensional barcode indicating the member ID read from the member card. The customer identification unit 111 may also acquire a facial image of the customer from the camera 160 and identify the customer ID through facial image authentication. Similarly, the customer identification unit 111 may use another sensor connected to the POS device 110 to identify the customer ID through biometric authentication methods other than facial image authentication, such as iris authentication, fingerprint authentication, or vein authentication.

[0033] The customer identification unit 111 outputs the acquired customer ID to the purchase data generation unit 114.

[0034] The registration unit 112 acquires (specifies) and registers the product that the customer intends to purchase using the tag reader / writer 170. Here, the registration unit 112 acquires, for example, from the tag reader / writer 170, a set of the product ID and individual ID read from the RFID tag of the product.

[0035] Furthermore, the registration unit 112 may identify the product that the customer intends to purchase using the barcode reader 150 or the camera 160. In this case, the registration unit 112 may acquire, from the barcode reader 150 or the camera 160, information on the product ID read from the product and the barcode or two-dimensional barcode indicating the individual ID.

[0036] The registration unit 112 outputs the acquired product ID and individual ID of the product that the customer is trying to purchase to the payment unit 113.

[0037] The settlement unit 113 settles (settles) the payment for the products purchased by the customer (products with product IDs and individual IDs acquired by the registration unit 112). The settlement unit 113 acquires information necessary for settlement (settlement) using the card reader / writer 140, barcode reader 150, and camera 160, and then settles (settles) the payment. For example, the settlement unit 113 acquires, from the card reader / writer 140, information necessary for settlement read from a magnetic or contactless IC card type credit card or electronic money card presented by the customer. The settlement unit 113 also acquires, from the barcode reader 150 and camera 160, information on a payment barcode or two-dimensional barcode read by a payment application running on the customer's terminal. The settlement unit 113 may also acquire a facial image of the customer from the camera 160, identify the customer ID through facial image authentication, and acquire information on the credit card, electronic money, bank account, etc. that has been pre-registered in association with the customer ID. Similarly, the settlement unit 113 may use other sensors to identify the customer ID by other biometric authentication means other than facial image authentication, such as iris authentication, fingerprint authentication, or vein authentication. Furthermore, the settlement unit 113 may perform settlement by having a store clerk hand over cash or by having an automatic change machine (not shown) connected to the POS device 110 hand over cash.

[0038] The registration of products and the settlement of payments may be performed, for example, by an operation of a store clerk at store 1, or by an operation of a customer. Also, the registration of products may be performed by an operation of a store clerk at store 1, and the settlement may be performed by an operation of a customer.

[0039] When the payment is completed by the payment unit 113, the customer's purchase of the product is completed.

[0040] The payment unit 113 outputs to the purchase data generation unit 114 the product ID, individual ID, and time when the payment was completed (purchase time) of the product for which payment was completed (product purchased by the customer).

[0041] The purchase data generation unit 114 generates purchase data using the customer ID input from the registration unit 112 and the product ID, individual ID, and purchase time input from the checkout unit 113, and transmits the generated purchase data to the store server 130 of the store 1. The purchase data includes, for example, the purchase time of the product, the product ID and individual ID of the individual product purchased, and the customer ID of the customer who purchased the product (hereinafter also referred to as the purchasing customer), all set in association with each other.

[0042] The priority sale receiving unit 115 receives a request for priority sale of a product from a customer (receives a priority sale request from the customer terminal 300). The priority sale receiving unit 115 generates priority data for the received priority sale. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of priority data in the first embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the priority data is set with a priority sale ID, a priority product ID, a priority individual ID, and a priority customer ID associated with each other. The priority sale ID is an identifier for identifying the priority sale. The priority product ID indicates the product ID of the priority product in the priority sale. The priority individual ID indicates the individual ID of the priority individual in the priority sale. The priority customer ID indicates the customer ID of the priority customer in the priority sale. The priority individual ID is set with the individual ID of the priority individual displayed as the target of the priority sale. At the time the priority sale is received (initial state), a priority individual has not been determined, so the individual ID is set to an initial value (for example, "null"), as shown in FIG. 4. The priority sales reception unit 115 registers the generated priority data in the priority information of the priority information storage unit 116.

[0043] The priority information storage unit 116 stores priority information. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of priority information in the first embodiment. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, priority data for each priority sale is registered in the priority information.

[0044] When a request for priority sale is received from a customer (when a priority sale request is received from the customer terminal 300), the transmission unit 117 transmits a display instruction for the priority individual to the store terminal 180A or 180B. A display instruction for a priority individual is an instruction to display a certain individual of a priority product in the store 1B as a priority individual so that the customer can identify that the individual is the subject of the priority sale. Furthermore, when the customer who purchased the priority individual is not a priority customer, the transmission unit 117 transmits a display instruction for a new priority individual (another individual of the priority product) to the store terminal 180A or 180B.

[0045] When a display instruction is sent, the display notification unit 118 notifies the priority customer that the priority product is waiting to be displayed (sends a display waiting notification to the customer terminal 300). Furthermore, when the priority individual is displayed, the display notification unit 118 notifies the priority customer that the priority product has been displayed (sends a display completion notification to the customer terminal 300).

[0046] The display reception unit 119 receives a display completion report of the priority individual from the store terminal 180A or the store terminal 180B. When the display reception unit 119 receives a display completion report of the priority individual, it updates the priority information in the priority information storage unit 116.

[0047] The determination unit 120 determines whether the individual items of a product that a customer is attempting to purchase include a priority individual. If a priority individual is included, the determination unit 120 determines whether the customer attempting to purchase the priority individual is a priority customer of the priority individual, and outputs the determination result to the priority notification unit 121. The determination unit 120 also determines whether the individual items of a product that a customer has purchased include a priority individual. If a priority individual is included, the determination unit 120 determines whether the customer (purchaser) who purchased the priority individual is a priority customer of the priority individual, and updates the priority information in the priority information storage unit 116 based on the determination result.

[0048] Based on the judgment result obtained from the judgment unit 120, if the customer attempting to purchase the priority individual is not a priority customer, the priority notification unit 121 notifies the customer attempting to purchase the priority individual that the priority individual is a target for priority sale to other customers (outputs (displays) a priority notification screen).

[0049] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the store server 130 (130A, 130B) in the first embodiment.

[0050] The store server 130 includes a purchase history storage unit 131 and a purchase history update unit 132.

[0051] The purchase history storage unit 131 stores the purchase history. The purchase history indicates the purchase history of products by customers at the store 1. In the purchase history, purchase data received from the POS device 110 is set in order of purchase time.

[0052] The purchase history update unit 132 updates the purchase history stored in the purchase history storage unit 131 with the purchase data received from the POS device 110 .

[0053] The store terminals 180A and 180B are terminals used by the store clerks of the store 1A and the store 1B, respectively. The store terminals 180A and 180B output (display) the display instructions for the priority items received from the POS device 110B to the store clerk. The store terminals 180A and 180B also accept input from the store clerk that the display of the priority items has been completed, and transmit a display completion report to the POS device 110B.

[0054] The headquarters system 200 is installed in the headquarters 2 of the chain or the like. The headquarters 2 is a department that manages the stores 1 of the chain. The headquarters system 200 includes a headquarters server 210.

[0055] In response to an order request received from the store system 100, the head office server 210 instructs the distribution center 7 to deliver the product to the store 1.

[0056] The customer terminal 300 is a terminal device used by a customer, such as a mobile phone or a smartphone. The customer terminal 300 accepts input of an application for priority sale of a product from the customer and transmits a priority sale request to the POS device 110. The customer terminal 300 also outputs (displays) to the customer a display waiting notice or a display completion notice received from the POS device 110.

[0057] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

[0058] First, the priority sales acceptance process will be described.

[0059] 7 is a flowchart showing the priority sale acceptance process in the first embodiment. The priority sale acceptance process is executed when a customer inputs a request for priority sale of a product into the customer terminal 300, for example.

[0060] Here, an example will be described in which a customer with customer ID "M001" using customer terminal 300a requests preferential sales from store 1B with store ID "S01B."

[0061] The customer terminal 300 receives an input of a request for priority sale from a customer (step S101). Here, the customer terminal 300 receives input of the store ID of the store 1B requesting priority sale, the product ID of the product, and the customer ID of the customer.

[0062] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a priority sales request screen in the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the priority sales request screen has input fields for the store ID of the store 1B where the priority sales is desired, the product ID of the product, and the customer ID of the customer.

[0063] For example, the customer terminal 300a displays the priority sales request screen of FIG. 8 and accepts input of the store ID "S01B", the product ID "X101", and the customer ID "M001".

[0064] The customer terminal 300 transmits a priority sale request to the POS device 110B of the store 1B having the input store ID (step S102). The priority sale request includes the product ID and the customer ID.

[0065] For example, the customer terminal 300a transmits a priority sale request including the product ID "X101" and the customer ID "M001" to the POS device 110B in the store 1B with the store ID "S01B."

[0066] The priority sales reception unit 115 of the POS device 110B receives the priority sales request from the customer terminal 300 (step S103). The priority sales reception unit 115 determines the product ID and customer ID included in the priority sales request as the product ID of the priority product and the customer ID of the priority customer, respectively.

[0067] The priority sale receiving unit 115 generates priority data for the received priority sale request (step S104).

[0068] The priority sales reception unit 115 registers the priority data in the priority information of the priority information storage unit 116 (step S105).

[0069] For example, the priority sales reception unit 115 generates priority data including the priority sales ID "P001", product ID "X101", and customer ID "M001" as shown in Figure 4, and registers it in the priority information as shown in state (a) of Figure 5.

[0070] The transmission unit 117 transmits a display instruction for the priority individual to the store terminal 180A or 180B (step S106). The display instruction includes the store ID of the store 1B itself, a priority sales ID, a priority product ID, and a priority customer ID.

[0071] For example, the transmission unit 117 transmits a display instruction including the store ID "S01B", the priority sales ID "P001", the priority product ID "X101", and the priority customer ID "M001" to the store terminal 180A.

[0072] The display notification unit 118 transmits (notifies) a display waiting notification of the priority product to the customer terminal 300 of the priority customer (step S107). The display waiting notification includes the store ID, the priority sales ID, the priority product ID, and the priority customer ID.

[0073] For example, the display notification unit 118 transmits a display waiting notification including the store ID "S01B", the priority sales ID "P001", the priority product ID "X101", and the priority customer ID "M001" to the customer terminal 300a.

[0074] The customer terminal 300 receives the display waiting notification from the POS device 110B (step S108).

[0075] The customer terminal 300 displays the received display waiting notice to the priority customer (step S109).

[0076] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display waiting notification screen in the first embodiment. The display waiting notification screen in Fig. 9 shows a store ID, a priority sales ID, a priority product ID, and a priority customer ID. For example, the customer terminal 300a displays the display waiting notification screen shown in Fig. 9 to a priority customer.

[0077] The store terminal 180A or 180B receives the display instruction from the POS device 110B (step S110).

[0078] The store terminal 180A or 180B displays the received display instructions to the store clerk (step S111).

[0079] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display instruction screen in the first embodiment. The display instruction screen in Fig. 10 shows input fields for a store ID, a priority sales ID, a priority product ID, a priority customer ID, and a priority individual ID. For example, the store terminal 180A displays a display instruction screen like that shown in Fig. 10 to a store clerk.

[0080] The store clerk determines which items of the product IDs displayed on the display instruction screen are to be displayed as priority items, and displays them in store 1B so that customers can identify them as items eligible for priority sales.

[0081] For example, a clerk at store 1A extracts an individual item with individual ID "Y101" from the product with product ID "X101" shown on the display instruction screen of FIG. 10 from store 1A's inventory (inventory for store 1A and store 1B) and delivers it to store 1B. The clerk then displays this individual item as a priority individual on the priority display shelf 11 of store 1B. Note that instead of the clerk at store 1A extracting, delivering, and displaying the individual item from store 1A's inventory, the clerk at store 1A or store 1B may extract and display the individual item from store 1B's inventory.

[0082] The store terminal 180A or 180B receives input from the store clerk indicating that display has been completed (step S112). Here, the store terminal 180A or 180B receives input of the individual ID of the priority individual that has been displayed. The store terminal 180A or 180B may read the individual ID of the priority individual using a barcode reader, camera, or tag reader / writer (not shown) connected to the terminal.

[0083] The store terminal 180A or 180B transmits a display completion report to the POS device 110B (step S113). The display completion report includes the priority sales ID, the priority product ID, and the priority individual ID.

[0084] For example, store terminals 180A and 180B accept input of the priority individual ID "Y101" on the display instruction screen of Figure 10 and send a display completion report including the priority sales ID "P001", product ID "X101", and priority individual ID "Y101".

[0085] The display reception unit 119 of the POS device 110B receives a display completion report of the priority items from the store terminal 180A or the store terminal 180B (step S114).

[0086] The display reception unit 119 updates the priority data in the priority information storage unit 116 for the priority sale for which the display completion report has been received (step S115). Here, the display reception unit 119 registers the priority individual ID included in the display completion report in the priority data.

[0087] For example, the display reception unit 119 registers "Y101" as the priority individual ID of the priority data of the priority sales ID "P001" in the priority information, as in the state (b) of FIG.

[0088] The display notification unit 118 transmits (notifies) a display completion notification of the priority product to the customer terminal 300 of the priority customer (step S116). The display completion notification includes the store ID, the priority sales ID, the priority product ID, the priority individual ID, and the priority customer ID.

[0089] For example, the display notification unit 118 sends a display completion notification including the store ID "S01B", the priority sales ID "P001", the priority product ID "X101", the priority individual ID "Y101", and the priority customer ID "M001" to the customer terminal 300a.

[0090] The customer terminal 300 receives the display completion notification from the POS device 110B (step S117).

[0091] The customer terminal 300 displays the received display completion notice to the priority customer (step S118).

[0092] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display completion notification screen in the first embodiment. The display completion notification screen in Fig. 11 shows a store ID, a priority sales ID, a priority product ID, a priority individual ID, and a priority customer ID. For example, the customer terminal 300 displays the display completion notification screen shown in Fig. 11 to a priority customer.

[0093] Next, the priority sales process will be described.

[0094] 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the preferential sales process in the first embodiment. The preferential sales process is executed, for example, when a customer attempts to purchase a product (register a product) at the POS device 110B in the store 1B.

[0095] 5(b) is registered in the priority information storage unit 116 of the POS device 110B. Also, suppose that a customer with customer ID "M002" is trying to purchase a product displayed on the priority display shelf 11 (an individual having product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y101") and a product displayed on the display shelf 12 (an individual having product ID "X102" and individual ID "Y201").

[0096] The customer identification unit 111 of the POS device 110B identifies the customer ID of the customer who is about to purchase a product (step S201).

[0097] For example, the customer identification unit 111 uses the card reader / writer 140 to acquire the customer ID "M002" from the customer's membership card.

[0098] The registration unit 112 identifies the individual product that the customer is going to purchase (step S202).

[0099] For example, the registration unit 112 uses the tag reader / writer 170 to obtain a pair of product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y101", and a pair of product ID "X102" and individual ID "Y201" from the RFID tag of the product that the customer wishes to purchase, which is placed at the reading position of the tag reader / writer 170.

[0100] The determination unit 120 determines whether the individual items of the product that the customer is about to purchase include a priority individual item (step S203). Here, the determination unit 120 refers to the priority information in the priority information storage unit 116, and if the priority information contains priority data of a pair of a priority product ID and a priority individual ID that matches the pair of the product ID and individual ID of the individual item acquired in step S202, the determination unit 120 determines that the individual item is a priority individual item.

[0101] If no priority individual is included (step S203 / NO), the process proceeds to step S209.

[0102] If a priority individual is included (step S203 / YES), the determination unit 120 determines whether the customer attempting to purchase the priority individual is a priority customer of the priority individual (step S204). Here, the determination unit 120 refers to the priority information in the priority information storage unit 116, and if the customer ID of the customer identified in step S201 matches the priority customer ID in the priority data of the priority individual, determines that the customer is a priority customer of the priority individual.

[0103] If the customer is a priority customer (step S204 / YES), the process proceeds to step S209.

[0104] If the customer is not a priority customer (step S204 / NO), the priority notification unit 121 notifies the customer attempting to purchase the priority item that the priority item is being sold on a priority basis to other customers (step S205). Here, the priority notification unit 121 displays a priority notification screen on an output device (not shown), such as a display of the POS device 110B, for example.

[0105] For example, in the priority information of state (b) in FIG. 5, there is priority data (priority sales ID "P001") having a pair of priority product ID and priority individual ID that matches the pair of product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y101." Furthermore, customer ID "M002" does not match the priority customer ID "M001" in the priority data. Therefore, the determination unit 120 determines that the individual with product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y101" that the customer with customer ID "M002" is attempting to purchase is a priority individual. Furthermore, the determination unit 120 determines that the customer with customer ID "M002" attempting to purchase the priority individual is not a priority customer of the priority individual.

[0106] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a priority notification screen in the first embodiment. The priority notification screen in Fig. 14 displays the priority product ID and priority individual ID of the priority individual, and a button for instructing whether or not to cancel the registration.

[0107] For example, the priority notification unit 121 displays a priority notification screen as shown in FIG.

[0108] In addition, the priority notification unit 121 may notify that the priority individual is a target for priority sale to other customers by a method other than displaying the priority notification screen, such as sounding a specified alarm or turning on a lamp or LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0109] The registration unit 112 receives an input from the customer as to whether or not to cancel the registration of the priority individual (step S206). Here, the priority notification unit 121 receives the input as to whether or not to cancel, for example, on a priority notification screen. The customer determines whether or not to cancel the registration and purchase of the priority individual, taking into consideration, for example, the urgency of the purchase of the priority product. If the registration is canceled, the priority individual is returned to its original priority display shelf 11 by, for example, the customer. Alternatively, the priority individual may be returned to its original priority display shelf 11 by a store clerk.

[0110] When an input to cancel the registration of the priority individual is received (step S207 / YES), the registration unit 112 registers the individuals identified in step S202, excluding the priority individual, as products to be purchased by the customer (step S208).

[0111] When receiving an input indicating that the registration of the priority individual is not to be stopped (step S207 / NO), the registration unit 112 registers the individual identified in step S202 as an item to be purchased by the customer (step S209).

[0112] The settlement unit 113 settles the payment for the (registered) products purchased by the customer (step S210). Here, the settlement unit 113 uses the card reader / writer 140 to settle the payment using an electronic money card, for example.

[0113] For example, if the customer with customer ID "M002" does not cancel the registration of the priority individual, the registration unit 112 registers the pair of product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y101", and the pair of product ID "X102" and individual ID "Y201". The settlement unit 113 then settles the payment for these products. This completes the purchase of these products by the customer with customer ID "M002".

[0114] The purchase data generation unit 114 generates purchase data and transmits it to the store server 130 (step S211). The purchase history update unit 132 of the store server 130 updates the purchase history in the purchase history storage unit 131 with the received purchase data.

[0115] Next, the determination unit 120 of the POS device 110B determines whether the individual items purchased by the customer (for which payment has been completed) include a priority individual item (step S212). Here, similar to step S203, if the priority information contains priority data of a pair of a priority item ID and a priority individual ID that matches the pair of the item ID and individual ID of the item purchased by the customer, the determination unit 120 determines that the item is a priority individual item.

[0116] If no priority individual is included (step S212 / NO), the process ends.

[0117] If a priority individual is included (step S212 / YES), the determination unit 120 determines whether the customer who purchased the priority individual is a priority customer of the priority individual (step S213). Here, as in step S204, if the customer ID of the customer identified in step S201 matches the priority customer ID in the priority data of the priority individual, the determination unit 120 determines that the customer is a priority customer of the priority individual.

[0118] If the individual is a priority customer of the priority individual (step S213 / YES), the determination unit 120 deletes the priority data relating to the priority individual in the priority information from the priority information in the priority information storage unit 116 (step S214), and ends the process.

[0119] If the individual is not a priority customer of the priority individual (step S213 / NO), the determination unit 120 initializes the individual ID of the priority data related to the priority individual in the priority information (step S215).

[0120] For example, the determination unit 120 refers to the priority information in state (b) of Figure 5 and determines that the individual with product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y101" purchased by a customer with customer ID "M002" is a priority individual. The determination unit 120 also determines that the customer with customer ID "M002" who purchased the priority individual is not a priority customer of the priority individual. The determination unit 120 sets "null" to the priority individual ID of the priority data for priority sales ID "P001" in the priority information, as in state (c) of Figure 5.

[0121] The transmission unit 117 transmits a display instruction (re-display instruction) for the new priority individual (another individual of the priority product) to the store terminal 180A or 180B (step S216). The display instruction (re-display instruction) in this case also includes the store ID of the store, the priority sales ID, the priority product ID, and the priority customer ID, similar to the display instruction in step S106.

[0122] For example, the transmission unit 117 transmits a display instruction (re-display instruction) including the store ID "1B", the priority sales ID "P001", the priority product ID "X101", and the customer ID "M001" to the store terminal 180A.

[0123] The display notification unit 118 transmits (notifies) a display waiting notification (re-display waiting notification) of the priority product to the customer terminal 300 of the priority customer (step S217). In this case, the display waiting notification also includes the store ID, the priority sales ID, the priority product ID, and the priority customer ID, similar to the display waiting notification in step S107.

[0124] For example, the display notification unit 118 transmits a display waiting notification (re-display waiting notification) including the store ID "1B", the priority sales ID "P001", the priority product ID "X101", and the priority customer ID "M001" to the customer terminal 300a.

[0125] The customer terminal 300 receives the display waiting notice (re-display waiting notice) from the POS device 110B (step S218).

[0126] The customer terminal 300 displays the received display waiting notice (re-display waiting notice) to the priority customer (step S219).

[0127] 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display waiting notification screen (re-display waiting notification screen) in the first embodiment. For example, the customer terminal 300 displays a display waiting notification screen (re-display waiting notification screen) as shown in FIG. 15, which is similar to FIG. 9, to a priority customer.

[0128] The store terminal 180A or 180B receives the display instruction (re-display instruction) from the POS device 110B (step S220).

[0129] The store terminal 180A or 180B displays the received display instruction (re-display instruction) to the store clerk (step S221).

[0130] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display instruction screen (re-display instruction screen) in the first embodiment. For example, the store terminal 180A displays a display instruction screen (re-display instruction screen) like Fig. 16, which is similar to Fig. 10, to the store clerk.

[0131] The store clerk determines new items to be displayed as priority items from among the items with the item IDs displayed on the display instruction screen, and displays the items so that customers can identify them as items eligible for priority sales in store 1B.

[0132] For example, a salesperson at store 1A extracts an individual item with individual ID "Y102" from among the items with product ID "X101" and delivers it to store 1B. The salesperson then displays this individual item as a priority individual item on the priority display shelf 11 of store 1B.

[0133] The store terminal 180A or 180B receives input from the store clerk indicating that display has been completed (step S222). Here, the store terminal 180A or 180B receives input of the individual ID of the priority individual that has been displayed, similar to step S112.

[0134] The store terminal 180A or 180B transmits a display completion report to the POS device 110B (step S223). The display completion report includes the priority sales ID, the priority product ID, and the priority individual ID, similar to step S113.

[0135] For example, store terminals 180A and 180B accept input of the priority individual ID "Y102" on the display instruction screen of Figure 16 and send a display completion report including the priority sales ID "P001", product ID "X101", and priority individual ID "Y102".

[0136] The display reception unit 119 of the POS device 110B receives a display completion report of the priority items from the store terminal 180A or the store terminal 180B (step S224).

[0137] The display reception unit 119 updates the priority data in the priority information storage unit 116 for the priority sale for which the display completion report has been received (step S225). Here, the display reception unit 119 registers the priority individual ID included in the display completion report in the priority data.

[0138] For example, the display reception unit 119 registers "Y102" as the priority individual ID of the priority data of the priority sales ID "P001" in the priority information, as in state (d) of FIG.

[0139] The display notification unit 118 transmits (notifies) a display completion notification (re-display completion notification) of the priority product to the customer terminal 300 of the priority customer (step S226). The display completion notification includes the store ID, the priority sales ID, the priority product ID, the priority individual ID, and the priority customer ID, similar to step S116.

[0140] For example, the display notification unit 118 sends a display waiting notification including the store ID "S01B", the priority sales ID "P001", the priority product ID "X101", the priority individual ID "Y102", and the priority customer ID "M001" to the customer terminal 300a.

[0141] The customer terminal 300 receives the display completion notification from the POS device 110B (step S227).

[0142] The customer terminal 300 displays the received display completion notice (re-display completion notice) to the priority customer (step S228).

[0143] 17 is a diagram showing an example of a display completion notification screen (re-display completion notification screen) in the first embodiment. For example, the customer terminal 300 displays a display completion notification screen (re-display completion notification screen) as shown in FIG. 17, which is similar to FIG. 11, to a priority customer.

[0144] Thereafter, every time the customer attempts to purchase a product, the process from step S201 is repeatedly executed.

[0145] For example, continuing from the above, assume that a customer with customer ID "M001" is attempting to purchase a product displayed on priority shelf 11 (an individual with product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y102") and a product displayed on shelf 12 (an individual with product ID "X103" and individual ID "Y301").

[0146] The customer identification unit 111 uses the card reader / writer 140 to acquire the customer ID "M001" from the customer's membership card.

[0147] The registration unit 112 uses the tag reader / writer 170 to acquire a pair of the product ID "X101" and the individual ID "Y102", and a pair of the product ID "X103" and the individual ID "Y301".

[0148] For example, in the priority information of state (d) in Figure 5, there is priority data (priority sales ID "P001") having a pair of priority product ID and priority individual ID that matches the pair of product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y102". Furthermore, customer ID "M001" matches the priority customer ID "M001" in the priority data. Therefore, the determination unit 120 determines that the individual with product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y102" is a priority individual. Furthermore, the determination unit 120 determines that the customer with customer ID "M001" who is trying to purchase the priority individual is a priority customer of the priority individual.

[0149] The registration unit 112 registers the pair of product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y102", and the pair of product ID "X103" and individual ID "Y301". The settlement unit 113 then settles the payment for these products. This completes the purchase of these products by the customer with customer ID "M001".

[0150] The determination unit 120 refers to the priority information in state (d) of Figure 5 and determines that the customer with customer ID "M001" who purchased the priority individual is a priority customer for the priority individual with product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y102".

[0151] The determining unit 120 deletes the priority data of the priority sales ID "P001" from the priority information, as shown in state (e) of FIG.

[0152] This completes the operation of the first embodiment.

[0153] In the first embodiment, a chain member ID is used as the customer ID, but this is not limiting, and other IDs such as a credit card ID or electronic money ID may be used as the customer ID as long as they can identify customers who are about to purchase a product or who have purchased a product.

[0154] In the first embodiment, the priority sales reception unit 115 of the POS device 110B receives a priority sales request from the customer terminal 300 to accept a request for priority sales of a product. However, this is not limiting. The priority sales reception unit 115 may receive a priority sales request from other terminal devices (not shown), such as the POS device 110A or the store terminal 180A of the store 1A, the store terminal 180B of the store 1B, or the digital signage devices of the stores 1A and 1B, and accept the request for priority sales of a product via these devices. Similarly, the priority sales reception unit 115 may accept a request for priority sales of a product via an input device of the POS device 110B. In these cases, the request for priority sales may be input by a customer or a store clerk.

[0155] In the first embodiment, the determination unit 120 of the POS device 110B determines whether a customer attempting to purchase a priority item is a priority customer when the customer attempts to register the item in the POS device 110B. However, this is not limiting, and the determination unit 120 may determine whether a customer attempting to purchase a priority item is a priority customer when the customer removes the priority item from the display shelf.

[0156] In the first embodiment, the display notification unit 118 of the POS device 110B notifies the priority customer that a priority product is waiting to be put on display or that it has been put on display by transmitting a display waiting notification or a display completion notification to the customer terminal 300. However, this is not limited to this. The display notification unit 118 may notify the priority customer that a priority product is waiting to be put on display or that it has been put on display via the POS device 110A in the store 1A or another terminal device (not shown), such as a digital signage device in the stores 1A or 1B, by transmitting a display waiting notification or a display completion notification to these devices. Similarly, the display notification unit 118 may notify the priority customer that a priority product is waiting to be put on display or that it has been put on display via an output device of the POS device 110B.

[0157] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described.

[0158] According to the first embodiment, customers who have applied for priority sales of a product can purchase the product preferentially, and customers who have not applied for priority sales can also purchase the product. This is because the transmission unit 117 of the POS device 110B transmits an instruction to the store clerk's terminal to display other units of the product when a customer other than the customer eligible for priority sales purchases an individual unit of the product displayed as a priority sale. This allows the store clerk to display (replenish) other units of the product, thereby minimizing the situation where the product applied for priority sales is not on display when a customer who has applied for priority sales visits the store.

[0159] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent customers other than those who have applied for the priority sale from purchasing the product that is the subject of the priority sale as much as possible. This is because, when a customer who attempts to purchase an individual product that is the subject of the priority sale is not a customer eligible for the priority sale, the priority notification unit 121 notifies the customer who attempts to purchase the individual product that the individual product is the subject of the priority sale to another customer.

[0160] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, a customer who has applied for priority sales of a product can determine the timing when the product is likely to be on display. This is because the display notification unit 118 notifies the priority sales target customer that the product is waiting to be on display when the above-mentioned display instruction is transmitted. Also, the display notification unit 118 notifies the priority sales target customer that the product has been on display when the product is on display in response to the above-mentioned display instruction. This allows a customer who has applied for priority sales to determine the timing from the notification that the priority sales target product has been on display to the notification that the product is waiting to be on display as the timing when the product is likely to be on display.

[0161] (Modification of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, the POS device 110B includes the priority sales reception unit 115, the priority information storage unit 116, the transmission unit 117, the display notification unit 118, the display reception unit 119, the determination unit 120, and the priority notification unit 121. However, this is not limiting, and the store server 130B may include at least some of the priority sales reception unit 115, the priority information storage unit 116, the transmission unit 117, the display notification unit 118, the display reception unit 119, the determination unit 120, and the priority notification unit 121 instead of the POS device 110B.

[0162] Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a store server 130B and a POS device 110B in a modification of the first embodiment. Referring to Fig. 18, the store server 130B includes a purchase history storage unit 131, a purchase history update unit 132, as well as a priority sales reception unit 115, a priority information storage unit 116, a transmission unit 117, a display notification unit 118, a display reception unit 119, a determination unit 120, and a priority notification unit 121. Like the POS device 110A, the POS device 110B includes a customer identification unit 111, a registration unit 112, a settlement unit 113, and a purchase data generation unit 114.

[0163] The store server 130B acquires from the POS device 110B the customer ID of the customer who attempted to purchase a product, the product ID and individual ID of the product the customer attempted to purchase. The store server 130B also acquires from the POS device 110B the customer ID of the customer who purchased the product, the product ID and individual ID of the product purchased by the customer, as purchase data. Based on this information, the priority sales reception unit 115, priority information storage unit 116, transmission unit 117, display notification unit 118, display reception unit 119, determination unit 120, and priority notification unit 121 of the store server 130B perform the same processing as in the first embodiment.

[0164] According to the modification of the first embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, customers who have applied for priority sales of a product can purchase the product preferentially, and customers who have not applied for priority sales can also purchase the product. This is because the transmission unit 117 of the store server 130B transmits an instruction to display other units of the product to the terminal of the store clerk when a purchaser of an individual product displayed as a priority sale target in the store is a customer other than the customer who is the priority sale target.

[0165] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described.

[0166] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the POS device 110B notifies the priority customer that an item is waiting to be put on display, as well as the scheduled time for the item to be put on display.

[0167] First, the configuration of the second embodiment will be described.

[0168] Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the POS device 110B in the second embodiment. Referring to Fig. 19, the POS device 110B in the second embodiment includes a schedule information storage unit 122 in addition to the components of the POS device 110 in the first embodiment (Fig. 3).

[0169] The schedule information storage unit 122 stores schedule information, which indicates a schedule of visits to the store 1B by a salesperson at the store 1A, which is the mother store of the store 1B.

[0170] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of schedule information in the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 20, a stay time period is set in the schedule information. The stay time period indicates a time period (stay start time, stay end time) during which a salesperson at store 1A stays at store 1B to perform tasks such as delivering merchandise from store 1A to store 1B and displaying merchandise in store 1B.

[0171] When a request for priority sales is received from a customer or when the customer who purchased the priority item is not a priority customer, and a display instruction for the priority item is sent to the store terminal 180A or 180B, the display notification unit 118 calculates the scheduled display time for the priority item or a new priority item. Here, the display notification unit 118 references the schedule information in the schedule information storage unit 122 and determines the scheduled display time for the priority item. For example, if the priority item is in stock at store 1A (stock for store 1A or store 1B) or in stock at store 1B, it is considered possible for a salesperson at store 1A to display the priority item within the next visit time slot after the display instruction is sent. The display notification unit 118 determines a time within the next visit time slot (for example, the start time of the visit) as the scheduled display time. The display notification unit 118 notifies the priority customer of the determined scheduled display time, along with the fact that the item is waiting to be displayed (a display waiting notification including the scheduled display time is sent to the customer terminal 300).

[0172] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of priority information in the second embodiment. In the priority information in the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 21, a scheduled display time is further set in the priority data for each priority sale.

[0173] Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

[0174] First, the priority sales acceptance process will be described.

[0175] Here, it is assumed that the schedule information shown in FIG.

[0176] In the above-mentioned step S107, the display notification unit 118 refers to the schedule information and determines the scheduled display time of the priority individual.

[0177] For example, if a priority sales request including the above-mentioned product ID "X101" and customer ID "M001" is received at the time "2019 / 03 / 01 9:00" and a display instruction is sent, the display notification unit 118 determines the scheduled display time to be "2019 / 03 / 01 11:00" based on the schedule information in Figure 20.

[0178] Then, the display notification unit 118 transmits (notifies) a display waiting notification including the scheduled display time to the customer terminal 300 of the priority customer.

[0179] For example, the display notification unit 118 sends a display waiting notification to the customer terminal 300a, which includes the store ID "1B", the priority sales ID "P001", the priority product ID "X101", the priority customer ID "M001", and the scheduled display time "2019 / 03 / 01 11:00".

[0180] Furthermore, the display notification unit 118 updates the priority information in the priority information storage unit 116 for the priority sale for which the display waiting notification has been sent.

[0181] For example, as shown in state (a) of FIG. 21, the display notification unit 118 registers "2019 / 03 / 01 11:00" as the scheduled display time of the priority data of the priority sales ID "P001" in the priority information.

[0182] In addition, in the above-mentioned step S109, the customer terminal 300 displays the received display waiting notice including the scheduled display time to the priority customer.

[0183] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a display waiting notification screen in the second embodiment. The display waiting notification screen in Fig. 22 shows the store ID, priority sales ID, priority product ID, priority customer ID, and scheduled display time. For example, the customer terminal 300a displays the display waiting notification screen shown in Fig. 22 to the priority customer.

[0184] Next, the priority sales process will be described.

[0185] In the above-mentioned step S217 as well, the display notification unit 118 refers to the schedule information and determines the scheduled display time of the new priority item (another item of the priority product).

[0186] For example, if the priority item with the above-mentioned product ID "X101" and item ID "Y101" is purchased by a customer other than the priority customer at the time "2019 / 03 / 01 13:00" and a display instruction (re-display instruction) is sent, the display notification unit 118 will determine the scheduled display time to be "2019 / 03 / 01 14:00" based on the schedule information in Figure 20.

[0187] Then, the display notification unit 118 transmits (notifies) a display waiting notification (re-display waiting notification) including the scheduled display time to the customer terminal 300 of the priority customer.

[0188] For example, the display notification unit 118 sends a display waiting notification (re-display waiting notification) to the customer terminal 300a, which includes the store ID "1B", the priority sales ID "P001", the priority product ID "X101", the priority customer ID "M001", and the scheduled display time "2019 / 03 / 01 14:00".

[0189] Furthermore, the display notification unit 118 updates the priority information in the priority information storage unit 116 for the priority sale for which the display waiting notification has been sent.

[0190] For example, as shown in state (c) of FIG. 21, the display notification unit 118 registers "2019 / 03 / 01 14:00" as the planned display time of the priority data of the priority sales ID "P001" in the priority information.

[0191] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned step S219, the customer terminal 300 displays a display waiting notice (re-display waiting notice) including the received scheduled display time to the priority customer.

[0192] 23 is a diagram showing an example of a display waiting notification screen (re-display waiting notification screen) in the second embodiment. For example, the customer terminal 300a displays a display waiting notification screen (re-display waiting notification screen) such as that shown in FIG. 23 to a priority customer.

[0193] This completes the operation of the second embodiment.

[0194] In the second embodiment, the display notification unit 118 calculates the planned display time based on the schedule of when the salesperson at store 1A visits store 1B. However, this is not limiting, and as long as it is possible to calculate the display time of a priority item or a new priority item, the display notification unit 118 may calculate the planned display time based on the inventory status of the priority item at store 1A or store 1B or the delivery schedule of the priority item from the delivery center 7 to store 1A or store 1B.

[0195] According to the second embodiment, a customer who has applied for priority sales of a product can determine the time when the product is likely to be on display before the product is put on display. This is because the display notification unit 118 notifies the priority customer that the product is waiting to be put on display and the scheduled time when the product will be put on display. This allows the customer who has applied for priority sales to determine the time after the scheduled time when the product is likely to be on display.

[0196] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described.

[0197] The third embodiment differs from the first or second embodiment in that the POS device 110B accepts a priority sale if the product can be put on display by the desired time of purchase.

[0198] First, the configuration of the third embodiment will be described.

[0199] The POS device 110B of the third embodiment includes a schedule information storage unit 122, similar to the POS device 110B of the second embodiment (FIG. 19).

[0200] The priority sales reception unit 115 receives a request for priority sales of a product from a customer along with a desired time for purchasing the product (a priority sales request including the desired time for purchase is received from the customer terminal 300). If the product can be put on display by the desired time for purchase, the priority sales reception unit 115 accepts the priority sales of the product.

[0201] Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of priority information in the third embodiment. In the priority information in the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 24, the desired purchase time is further set in the priority data for each priority sale.

[0202] Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.

[0203] First, the priority sales acceptance process will be described.

[0204] Here, it is assumed that the schedule information shown in FIG.

[0205] In the above-mentioned step S101, the customer terminal 300 receives an input of a desired purchase time together with a request for priority sale from the customer.

[0206] Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a priority sales request screen in the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 25, the priority sales request screen has an input field for the desired purchase time in addition to the product ID and customer ID for which priority sales are desired.

[0207] For example, the customer terminal 300a displays the priority sales request screen of FIG. 25 and accepts input of product ID "X101", customer ID "M001", and desired purchase time "2019 / 03 / 01 10:00" at the time "2019 / 03 / 01 9:00".

[0208] In the above-mentioned step S102, the customer terminal 300 transmits a priority sale request to the POS device 110 B. The priority sale request includes the product ID, the customer ID of the customer, and the desired time of purchase.

[0209] For example, the customer terminal 300a transmits a priority sale request including the product ID "X101", the customer ID "M001", and the desired purchase time "2019 / 03 / 01 10:00".

[0210] In the above-mentioned step S103, the priority sales reception unit 115 of the POS device 110B determines whether the individual product with the product ID included in the priority sales request received from the customer terminal 300 can be put on display by the desired purchase time. Here, the priority sales reception unit 115, like the display notification unit 118 of the second embodiment, refers to the schedule information and determines the scheduled display time of the individual product.

[0211] If the product cannot be put on display by the desired purchase time, the priority sale acceptance unit 115 transmits a priority sale response indicating that the priority sale cannot be accepted (the product cannot be put on display until the scheduled display time) to the customer terminal 300, and ends the process.

[0212] For example, the priority sales reception unit 115 determines the scheduled display time to be "2019 / 03 / 01 11:00" based on the schedule information in Fig. 20. In this case, since the scheduled display time "2019 / 03 / 01 11:00" is after the desired purchase time "2019 / 03 / 01 10:00", the priority sales reception unit 115 transmits a priority sales response indicating that the priority sales cannot be accepted (the product cannot be displayed until the scheduled display time) to the customer terminal 300a.

[0213] The customer terminal 300 displays to the customer a priority sale response screen indicating that the priority sale cannot be accepted (the product cannot be put on display until the scheduled display time).

[0214] 26 is a diagram showing an example of a priority sales response screen (reception not permitted) in the third embodiment. For example, the customer terminal 300a displays a priority sales response screen (reception not permitted) as shown in FIG.

[0215] On the other hand, if the product can be put on display by the desired purchase time, the priority sale acceptance unit 115 transmits a priority sale response to the customer terminal 300 indicating that the priority sale is acceptable.

[0216] For example, if the desired purchase time is "2019 / 03 / 01 16:00," the scheduled display time "2019 / 03 / 01 11:00" is before the desired purchase time "2019 / 03 / 01 16:00," so the priority sales acceptance unit 115 sends a priority sales response indicating that the priority sales request can be accepted to the customer terminal 300a.

[0217] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned steps S104 and S105, the priority sales reception unit 115 generates priority data including the desired purchase time and the scheduled display time, and registers it in the priority information. After that, the process is executed from step S106.

[0218] For example, as shown in state (a) of Figure 24, the priority sales reception unit 115 generates priority data for the priority sales ID "P001" including the desired purchase time "2019 / 03 / 01 16:00" and the planned display time "2019 / 03 / 01 11:00" and registers it in the priority information.

[0219] The customer terminal 300 displays a priority sale response screen to the customer, indicating that the priority sale is accepted.

[0220] 27 is a diagram showing an example of a priority sales response screen (acceptance possible) in the third embodiment. For example, the customer terminal 300a displays the priority sales response screen (acceptance possible) as shown in FIG.

[0221] This completes the operation of the third embodiment.

[0222] In the third embodiment, the priority sales reception unit 115 calculates the planned display time based on the schedule of when the salesperson at store 1A visits store 1B. However, this is not limiting, and as long as it is possible to calculate the display time of a priority item or a new priority item, the priority sales reception unit 115 may calculate the planned display time based on the inventory status of the priority item at store 1A or store 1B or the delivery schedule of the priority item from the delivery center 7 to store 1A or store 1B.

[0223] According to the third embodiment, in the case of priority sale of a product, a customer who has applied for priority sale can specify the time when the priority sale starts as the desired purchase time. The reason for this is that the priority sale acceptance unit 115 accepts the desired purchase time of the product along with the request for priority sale of the product from the customer, and accepts the priority sale of the product if the product can be put on display by the desired purchase time.

[0224] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.

[0225] The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that the POS device 110B sells priority items to customers other than priority customers if the items can be displayed by the desired time of purchase.

[0226] First, the configuration of the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0227] Fig. 28 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of POS device 110B in the fourth embodiment. Referring to Fig. 28, POS device 110B in the fourth embodiment includes a sales permission unit 123 in addition to the components of POS device 110 in the third embodiment (Fig. 19). Sales permission unit 123 is one embodiment of the sales permission means of the present disclosure.

[0228] When a customer who is trying to purchase a priority item is other than a priority customer, the sales permission unit 123 permits the sale of the priority item to the customer who is trying to purchase the priority item if a new priority item (another item of the priority product) can be put on display by the desired purchase time.

[0229] Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0230] Here, it is assumed that a scheduled display time of "2019 / 03 / 01 11:00" is calculated for a priority sales request received at time "2019 / 03 / 01 9:00" that includes product ID "X101," customer ID "M001," and desired purchase time "2019 / 03 / 01 16:00." Then, at the scheduled display time of "2019 / 03 / 01 11:00," a priority individual with product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y101" is displayed on the priority display shelf 11 of store 1B, and priority data for priority sales ID "P001" is registered in the priority information, as shown in state (b) of Figure 24.

[0231] In step S204 described above, if the customer attempting to purchase the priority item is not a priority customer of that priority item (step S204 / NO), the sales permission unit 123 determines whether a new priority item (another item of the priority product) can be put on display by the desired purchase time. Here, the sales permission unit 123, like the display notification unit 118 of the second embodiment, refers to the schedule information and calculates the planned display time of the new priority item.

[0232] If the priority item cannot be put on display by the desired purchase time, the sales permission unit 123 does not permit the sale of the priority item to the customer attempting to purchase it. In this case, the sales permission unit 123 instructs the registration unit 112 to exclude the priority item from the items identified in step S202. Furthermore, the sales permission unit 123 notifies the customer attempting to purchase the priority item that the priority item cannot be sold (sale not permitted). Thereafter, the processing from step S208 onwards is executed.

[0233] Fig. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a sales denial notification screen in the fourth embodiment. The sales denial notification screen in Fig. 29 shows the priority product ID and priority individual ID of the priority individual.

[0234] For example, if a customer other than the priority customer attempts to purchase the priority individual with the above-mentioned product ID "X101" and individual ID "Y101" at time "2019 / 03 / 01 15:00," the sales permission unit 123 calculates the scheduled display time of the new priority individual as "2019 / 03 / 01 17:00" based on the schedule information in FIG. 20. Since the scheduled display time "2019 / 03 / 01 17:00" is later than the desired purchase time "2019 / 03 / 01 16:00" of the priority data with priority sales ID "P001" in the priority information in state (b) of FIG. 24, the sale of the priority individual is not permitted. The priority sales reception unit 115 displays a sales denial notification screen as shown in FIG. 29.

[0235] On the other hand, if the priority individual can be put on display by the desired purchase time, the sales permission unit 123 permits the sale of the priority individual to the customer who wishes to purchase it. In this case, the processes of steps S205 to S213 described above are executed. Then, in step S215, the determination unit 120 adds the planned display time of the new priority individual to the priority data for that priority individual in the priority information. Thereafter, the processes of step S216 and subsequent steps are executed.

[0236] For example, if a customer other than the priority customer attempts to purchase the priority item with the above-mentioned product ID "X101" and item ID "Y101" at time "2019 / 03 / 01 13:00," the sales permission unit 123 calculates the new scheduled display time of the priority item as "2019 / 03 / 01 14:00" based on the schedule information in FIG. 20. Since the scheduled display time "2019 / 03 / 01 14:00" is before the desired purchase time "2019 / 03 / 01 16:00," the sale of the priority item is permitted. If the priority item is purchased by a customer other than the priority customer, the determination unit 120 registers "2019 / 03 / 01 14:00" as the scheduled display time in the priority data for the priority sales ID "P001" in the priority information, as shown in state (c) in FIG. 24.

[0237] This completes the operation of the fourth embodiment.

[0238] In the fourth embodiment, the sales permission unit 123 calculates the planned display time based on the schedule of when the sales staff of store 1A visits store 1B. However, this is not limiting, and as long as it is possible to calculate the display time of a priority item or a new priority item, the sales permission unit 123 may calculate the planned display time based on the inventory status of the priority item in store 1A or store 1B or the delivery schedule of the priority item from distribution center 7 to store 1A or store 1B.

[0239] According to the fourth embodiment, in a priority sale of a product, a customer who has applied for the priority sale can reliably purchase the product at the desired purchase time, and customers who have not applied for the priority sale can also purchase the product as long as it is before the desired purchase time. This is because, when a customer who is trying to purchase a priority item is not a priority customer, the sales permission unit 123 permits the sale of the priority item to the customer who is trying to purchase the priority item, provided that a new priority item (another item of the priority item) can be displayed by the desired purchase time.

[0240] (Fifth embodiment) A fifth embodiment will be described.

[0241] FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a POS device 110B in the fifth embodiment.

[0242] 30, POS device 110B includes a transmission unit 117. POS device 110B and transmission unit 117 are embodiments of the sales management device and transmission means, respectively, of the present disclosure.

[0243] When a customer who purchases an individual product displayed as a priority sale item in a store is not a customer who is the priority sale item, the transmission unit 117 transmits an instruction to display another individual product of the product to the terminal of a store clerk.

[0244] According to the fifth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, customers who have applied for priority sales of a product can purchase the product preferentially, and customers who have not applied for priority sales can also purchase the product. The reason for this is that when a customer other than the priority sales customer purchases an individual product displayed in a store as a priority sale item, the transmission unit 117 of the POS device 110B transmits an instruction to the store clerk's terminal to display another individual product of the product.

[0245] (Hardware configuration) In each of the above-described embodiments, each component of each device (such as the POS device 110, the store server 130, the store terminal 180, and the headquarters server 210) represents a functional block. Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by any combination of a computer 900 and a program.

[0246] Fig. 31 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 900. Referring to Fig. 31, the computer 900 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, a program 904, a storage device 905, a drive device 907, a communication interface 908, an input device 909, an output device 910, an input / output interface 911, and a bus 912.

[0247] The program 904 includes instructions for realizing each function of each device. The program 904 is stored in advance in the RAM 903 or the storage device 905. The CPU 901 executes the instructions included in the program 904 to realize each function. The drive device 907 reads and writes data from and to the recording medium 906. The communication interface 908 provides an interface with the communication network 400. The input device 909 is, for example, a mouse or a keyboard, and accepts information input from an administrator or the like. The output device 910 is, for example, a display, and outputs (displays) information to an administrator or the like. The input / output interface 911 provides an interface with peripheral devices. In the case of the POS device 110, the peripheral devices are the card reader / writer 140, barcode reader 150, camera 160, and tag reader / writer 170 described above. The bus 912 connects each hardware component. The program 904 may be supplied to the CPU 901 via the communication network 400 , or may be stored in advance on the recording medium 906 , read by the drive device 907 , and supplied to the CPU 901 .

[0248] It should be noted that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 31 is an example, and other components may be added, or some components may not be included.

[0249] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device may be realized by any combination of a different computer and a program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components of each device may be realized by any combination of a single computer and a program.

[0250] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by general-purpose or dedicated circuits including a processor, etc., or a combination of these. These circuits may be configured by a single chip, or may be configured by multiple chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits, etc., and a program.

[0251] Furthermore, when some or all of the components of each device are realized by a plurality of computers, circuits, etc., the plurality of computers, circuits, etc. may be centrally located or distributed.

[0252] The store server 130 may be located in the store 1, or may be located in a location different from the store 1 and connected to the POS device 110 and the store terminal 180 via a communication network 400. In other words, the store server 130 may be realized by a cloud computing system. Similarly, the headquarters server 210 may also be realized by a cloud computing system.

[0253] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the configurations in the respective embodiments can be combined with each other without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0254] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) The sales management device is provided with a transmission means for transmitting an instruction to display other individual items of the product to a terminal of a store clerk when a customer who purchases the product displayed as a priority sale item in a store is not a customer who is the priority sale item. (Appendix 2) Furthermore, a first notification means is provided for, when a customer who is trying to purchase an individual product displayed as a priority sale product is other than the customer who is the priority sale product, notifying the customer who is trying to purchase the individual product that the individual product is a priority sale product for another customer. 10. The sales management device of claim 1. (Appendix 3) Further, a second notification means is provided for notifying the customer who is the priority sales target that the product is waiting to be put on display when the display instruction is transmitted. 3. The sales management device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) When the individual product is displayed in response to the display instruction, the second notification means notifies the customer who is the priority sales target that the product has been displayed. 3. A sales management device as described in Appendix 3. (Appendix 5) the second notification means notifies the customer that the product is waiting to be put on display and the scheduled time for the individual product to be put on display; 5. The sales management device according to claim 3 or 4. (Appendix 6) The second notification means calculates a scheduled display time for the individual product based on a schedule of when a salesperson from another store will visit the store. 6. The sales management device according to claim 5. (Appendix 7) Further, a receiving means is provided for receiving a request for priority sale of the product from a customer, When the transmission means receives the request for the priority sale, it transmits a display instruction for the individual product to the terminal of the store clerk. 7. A sales management device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) the reception means receives a desired time to purchase the product from the customer, and if the individual product can be displayed by the desired purchase time, the reception means receives a priority sale of the product. 7. The sales management device according to claim 7. (Appendix 9) The reception means determines whether the individual product can be displayed by the desired purchase time based on a schedule of when a salesperson from another store will visit the store. 10. The sales management device according to claim 8. (Appendix 10) Furthermore, when a customer who wishes to purchase an individual product displayed as a priority sale item is other than the customer who is the priority sale item, a sales permission means is provided for permitting the sale of another individual product to the customer who wishes to purchase that product if another individual product of the product can be displayed by the desired purchase time. 10. The sales management device according to claim 8 or 9. (Appendix 11) the sales permission means determines whether other units of the product can be displayed by the desired purchase time based on a schedule of visits by sales staff of other stores to the store; 11. The sales management device of claim 10. (Appendix 12) The system further comprises a storage means for storing the identifiers of the individual products displayed as the priority sales items and the identifiers of the customers who are the priority sales items in association with each other. 12. A sales management device according to any one of appendices 1 to 11. (Appendix 13) Further, the store comprises a determination means for determining whether a customer who purchases an individual product displayed as a priority sale item is a customer of the priority sale item. 13. A sales management device according to any one of appendices 1 to 12. (Appendix 14) When a customer who purchases an individual product displayed as a product to be sold preferentially in a store is not a customer who is a customer to whom the product is to be sold preferentially, an instruction to display another individual product of the product is sent to a terminal of a store clerk. Sales management methods. (Appendix 15) On the computer, When a customer who purchases an individual product displayed as a product to be sold preferentially in a store is not a customer who is a customer to whom the product is to be sold preferentially, an instruction to display another individual product of the product is sent to a terminal of a store clerk. A program that executes a process.

[0255] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-055989, filed on March 25, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0256] 10 Sales Management System 1A, 1B stores 11 Priority display shelf 12 Display shelf 100A, 100B store system 110A, 110B POS device 111 Customer identification department 112 Registration Department 113 Settlement Department 114 Purchase Data Generation Unit 115 Priority Sales Reception 116 Priority information storage section 117 Transmitter 118 Display Notification Department 119 Display and Reception 120 Judgment section 121 Priority Notification Department 122 Schedule information storage unit 123 Sales Permit Department 130A, 130B Store Server 131 Purchase history memory section 132 Purchase History Update Section 140 Card reader / writer 150 Barcode Reader 160 Camera 170 Tag reader / writer 180A, 180B store terminal 2. Headquarters 200 Headquarters System 210 Headquarters Server 300 customer terminals 400 Communication Network 7 Distribution Center 900 Computers 901 CPU 902 ROM 903 RAM 904 Program 905 Storage device 906 Recording Media 907 Drive unit 908 Communication Interface 909 Input Device 910 Output Device 911 Input / Output Interface 912 Bus

Claims

1. A sales management device for an unmanned store that displays priority items, which are items eligible for priority sales and are applied for priority sales by customers, in a manner that allows the items to be identified as priority items and can be purchased by both priority sales customers who have applied for priority sales and customers other than the priority sales customers, a determination means for determining whether a customer is a priority customer based on whether the customer ID of the customer matches the ID of the priority customer of the priority product when the priority product is included in the product purchased by the customer; The sales management device is provided with a transmission means for transmitting, when a customer who purchases a priority item in the unmanned store is other than a customer who is the subject of the priority sale, a display instruction for other items of the same product as the priority item to a terminal of a clerk in another store where a clerk is on duty.

2. Furthermore, a first notification means is provided for, when a customer who is trying to purchase an individual product of the displayed product that is the priority sale product is other than the customer who is the priority sale product, notifying the customer who is trying to purchase the individual product that the individual product is the priority sale product for another customer. The sales management device according to claim 1 .

3. The display device further includes a second notification means for notifying the customer who is the priority sales target that the product is waiting to be displayed when the display instruction is transmitted. The sales management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the second notification means notifies the customer of the priority sale that the priority sale item has been put on display when the individual item of the priority sale item has been put on display in response to the display instruction; The sales management device according to claim 3.

5. the second notification means notifies the customer that the priority sale item is waiting to be put on display and of the scheduled time when the priority sale item will be put on display; 5. The sales management device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. the second notification means calculates a scheduled display time of the individual product that is the priority sales target based on a schedule of when a salesperson from another store visits the unmanned store; The sales management device according to claim 5.

7. Further, a receiving means is provided for receiving a request for priority sale of the product from a customer, When the transmission means receives the request for the priority sale, it transmits a display instruction for the individual product to the terminal of the store clerk. The sales management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the reception means receives a desired purchase time of the product from the customer, and if the individual product can be displayed by the desired purchase time, accepts a priority sale of the product. The sales management device according to claim 7.

9. A sales management method for an unmanned store that displays priority items, which are items for which priority sales have been applied for by customers, in a manner that allows the items to be identified as priority items and that allows purchases by both priority sales customers who have applied for priority sales and customers other than the priority sales customers, comprising: The sales management device If the individual items purchased by the customer include a priority item, determine whether the customer is a priority customer based on whether the customer ID of the customer matches the ID of the priority customer of the priority item; When a customer who purchases an item that is a priority item for sale in the unmanned store is other than the customer who is a priority item for sale, an instruction to display other items of the same product as the priority item is sent to a terminal of a clerk at another store where a clerk is present. Sales management methods.

10. A computer associated with an unmanned store that displays priority items that are priority sale eligible items, which are items for which priority sale has been applied for by customers, in a manner that allows the items to be identified as priority items and that allows purchases by both priority sale eligible customers who have applied for priority sale and customers other than the priority sale eligible customers, If the individual items purchased by the customer include a priority item, determine whether the customer is a priority customer based on whether the customer ID of the customer matches the ID of the priority customer of the priority item; When a customer who purchases an item that is a priority item for sale in the unmanned store is other than the customer who is a priority item for sale, an instruction to display other items of the same product as the priority item is sent to a terminal of a clerk at another store where a clerk is present. A program that executes a process.

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