Number 3 on the list is the IBM/Cisco Mobile Concierge. This was a concept demonstration of how the in-store shopping experience could be differentiated by leveraging the customers own mobile device.
One thing I learned was that Cisco wireless routers could determine the customers in-store location down to the meter. This can enable shelf or “micro-location” based services. Using customer location and other data (e.g., loyalty, purchase history), the retailer can make offers available that are highly relevant at that moment and at that shelf.
Items scanned by the customer could provide additional information. There are plenty of services that do this today, but if the retailer is offering this through their own app, there is a greater ability to deliver desired messaging along with reviews and other information. If an item is not in stock, or the customer simply wants it delivered to their home, this can be seamlessly done from their phone.
Retailers could give customers the ability to find items in-store and, using the in-store location capability, virtually walk the customer to the product. Additionally, rather than finding the nearest customer service phone, the customer could simply press a button on their in-store app and get help immediately.
Finally, with current smartphone scanning technology (like RedLaser), there is no need for the price-checker. You can put it in the hands of the customer.
I’m sure there are any number of new services that will be added in the future. I think the key is for retailers to start thinking about how to leverage the customers own device to provide services which differentiate the in-store experience.
Photo by nedrichards
Joe Skorupa, Editor-in-Chief, RIS News recently wrote a blog post entitled “
This is part two of a 
Last month, I wrote a 
LinkedIn
facebook
twitter