Mobile Shopping System for In-Store Item Scanning and Purchase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customers often leave retail stores without purchasing items due to size, color, or availability issues, as existing systems do not facilitate easy purchase or inventory checks during browsing.
Innovation Solution
A shopping system that allows customers to scan retail items using devices like smartphones or kiosks to access electronic product pages, enabling purchase directly from the store or online, with features like inventory checks, ensemble recommendations, and alerts for store associates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If customers browse retail items in-store without access to purchase options, then customers can physically examine items, but customers cannot purchase items immediately if size, color, or availability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile computing device serves as an intermediary between the customer and the retail item. The device displays an electronic product page that provides purchase options, inventory information, and product details, enabling customers to complete transactions or check availability without leaving the store or relying on traditional point-of-sale systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions the purchase interaction from the physical dimension (point-of-sale counters) to the digital dimension (mobile device screens). By projecting the product information and purchase interface onto the mobile device, customers gain access to inventory and purchasing capabilities across multiple dimensions simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional point-of-sale systems are used, then purchases can be completed at designated locations, but customers cannot access product information or make purchases while browsing throughout the store
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computing device performs multiple functions: displaying product information, checking inventory availability across locations, providing purchase options, and offering product recommendations. This universal interface replaces multiple specialized systems (product catalogs, inventory databases, point-of-sale terminals) with a single multi-functional device.
3Loss of information
If customers need to check inventory availability for different sizes and colors, then customers can make informed purchasing decisions, but customers must visit multiple store locations or wait for stock checks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading inventory information, product details, and availability status into the mobile device before the customer needs to make a purchasing decision. The electronic product page is prepared in advance with all relevant information, eliminating the need for real-time database queries or customer trips to check stock.
4Productivity
If in-store purchasing options are limited, then store operations remain simple, but conversion rates decrease when customers cannot find desired item variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback loops where the mobile device continuously updates the customer with inventory availability, product recommendations, and purchasing options based on real-time data. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of purchasing decisions and provides customers with actionable information to complete transactions.
Data Source
AI summary
In a computer-implemented method for displaying an electronic product page responsive to scanning a retail item a retail item is scanned via a scanning device at a location, wherein the scanning device comprises a display screen, and wherein the location is not a point-of-sale at a retail store. In response to scanning the retail item, an electronic product page of said retail item is automatically displayed on the display screen. A user of the scanning device is enabled to purchase the retail item via the electronic product page displayed on the display screen.