UK Retail Company Develops Item-Scanning App

Category: Technology/Innovations

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. relieve / rɪˈliv / (v) – to free someone/something from difficulty
    Example:

    The new smartphone app intends to relieve users of loud noises.


  2. hassle / ˈhæs əl / (n) – an inconvenience
    Example:

    Learning how the new app works is a hassle.


  3. queue / kyu / (n) – a line
    Example:

    I expect long queues in stores during the holiday sale.


  4. enhance / ɛnˈhæns, -ˈhɑns / (v) – to improve the quality of something
    Example:

    The new app enhances photos.


  5. handheld / ˈhændˌhɛld / (adj) – small enough to be carried and used by the hand
    Example:

    I like the new handheld device because I can take it with me anywhere.


Article

Read the text below.

A retail company in the United Kingdom is testing a new service that allows shoppers to purchase products using their smartphones.


Retailer Co-op is conducting a trial on a “scan and go” app in its support center in Manchester. This new app lets customers scan and pay for grocery items through their phones without the need to line up at counters. Although the company has not opened the doors of the testing site to the public, it plans to make the service widely available this coming summer.


The project, which is in collaboration with leading financial service company Mastercard, intends to relieve customers of the hassle that comes with long queues. According to Co-op’s director of retail support, Matthew Speight, the company aims to utilize technology that can enhance its customers’ shopping experience.


Using the smartphone app, customers can scan the items of their choice in the store. Once the items have been scanned, customers can pay for them using Masterpass— Mastercard’s online credit card payment app. The “scan and go” app then updates both the store and the customers on the purchases made.


The Co-op is not the first retail company in the United Kingdom to use this technology. In 2011, British multinational retailer Tesco launched a similar service called “Scan as you Shop” in some of its branches. The service requires the use of an exclusive handheld scanning device provided by the store, but an app version has also been developed. However, the app version is available only in selected Tesco branches.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Would you like this app to be widely available in your country? Why or why not?
• What other kinds of stores (e.g. department stores, convenience stores) do you think can benefit from this app? Explain.

Discussion B

• In your opinion, can technology use lead to more hassle than convenience? Explain.
• How do you think companies can ensure that they are investing in technology that provides more convenience than hassle?