Bifurcated Retail Transaction System for Perishable Item Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internet-based grocery shopping systems face challenges such as customers' inability to evaluate perishable items, uncertainty in quantities, and high delivery costs, while traditional store shopping is time-consuming due to long check-out lines and aisle location changes.
Innovation Solution
A system that bifurcates shopping for perishable and non-perishable items, where non-perishable items are ordered online and picked up at a brick-and-mortar store, while perishable items are selected and purchased in-store, optimizing store layout for efficient non-perishable delivery and checkout processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If customers shop for perishable items in brick-and-mortar stores, then they can evaluate quality attributes (weight, ripeness, bruising, size, smell), but shopping time increases due to finding items and long check-out lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shopping process into two distinct parts: (1) online ordering of non-perishable items with quantity specification, and (2) in-store selection of perishable items. This segmentation allows customers to avoid time-consuming activities for non-perishables while preserving quality evaluation capability for perishables.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having customers place online orders for non-perishable items before visiting the store. The items are prepared and ready for pickup, eliminating the time needed to search for and checkout these items during the store visit.
2Loss of time
If customers shop online for groceries, then shopping time is reduced, but they cannot evaluate perishable items and may receive unexpected quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the product catalog into perishable and non-perishable categories, applying different fulfillment methods to each. Perishable items require in-store evaluation while non-perishables can be ordered online with specified quantities, combining the benefits of both channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different service qualities to different product types: online ordering with quantity specification for non-perishables, and in-store quality evaluation for perishables. This local quality approach optimizes the shopping experience for each category according to its specific requirements.
3Ease of operation
If stores use traditional checkout processes for all items, then transaction completion is straightforward, but check-out lines become long and frustrating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the checkout process by separating pre-ordered non-perishable items from in-store perishable selections. Non-perishables are processed through a streamlined pickup process while perishables use traditional checkout, reducing overall wait time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary ordering and payment for non-perishable items online before the customer arrives at the store. This preliminary action eliminates the need for these items to go through the traditional checkout process during the store visit.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, one or more computing devices process a bifurcated transaction for items available at a store. The bifurcated transaction is initiated when a consumer orders a set of first item(s) electronically, e.g., using an app, website etc. At the store, the consumer picks up the order of the set of first item(s) and then peruses and adds a set of second item(s) to a shopping cart. In one embodiment, a label (e.g., a single unique machine-readable label or barcode) identifies the set of first item(s). At checkout, the transaction may be completed by scanning respective machine-readable labels on the set of second item(s) and the label that identifies the set of first item(s).