Free Idea for Big Box Retailers

Update to this post – I see Tesco now has an iPhone app which does this, and more on top. It helps you find the nearest store, and stuff in in it. Smart – huh? They never told me it was anything to do with this post, but it’s certainly would be nice to think they got the idea here

Here’s a gift to supermarket and other big box retailers. Of course if you guys like it tell me and I’ll let you have my PayPal address, but there’s no need.

This idea will cost virtually nothing but will dramatically improve your business:

More effective capacity in the store
More “selling time” with customers
Lower staff costs
Much happier customers

Who could turn that down?

The idea comes in two parts

a) at the end of each aisle fix a Netbook with access to a Search engine on a local server which can find shelf locations for items. A search for “almonds” would show Aisle 17, cabinet 7, shelf 4. The busy shopper could go straight to it, not having to wait ten minutes to find an associate and be led to the location.

b) install free WiFi that can access the same Search engine, so anybody with an iPhone or similar device can do the same on the move.

Personally I’m not the best shopper. When my wife asks me to pick something up from the store I’ll always end up calling to ask which aisle and then calling back to make sure I’ve found the right item.

Give me local search and I’ll drive by five other stores to be able to use it.

And by the way, my wife really likes the idea too. She doesn’t have an iPhone but she can use Google.