How does this system stop customers who do not pay? There are supermarkets that do not have checkout staff and customers have to scan the items on their own. It has been found that some customers do not scan all items in their shopping basket. As a result, they are paying less than what they actually take out of the supermarket.

A vending machine without a door..

very clinical toxic products...not for basic needs....supermarkets will go by way of 7/11 and a new generation "trully" local stores are sprouting....YEAY

“But in the same respect, we are taking the shopper back to a time when shopping was simple. The customer walked into a store, was greeted by name, told about the specials, paid without hassle and left."

It still is if you actually shopped at your local small business where the owner is the person behind the counter and if they run it right can offer you all that plus more.

So much for the big chains promoting new opportunities for employment like they keep sprouting about whenever they want to justify destroying a small town by dumping in a big supermarket.

Im with Bazza, up there with if it sounds too good be true, more than likely, it is.
I imagine there will be a lot of headaches, and frustration by customers. Will give a whole new meaning to "supermarket rage".
Jennifer.

What if I want to take my purchase back? will ShellX be kind enough to lend an ear on why it is being returned? How about the latest hitech fraudsters using stolen/fake credit cards...will ShellX be able to provide a verbal and signed statement for the police???...how about the security provided by cashiers...hmmm doubt ShellX will be able to beat the human interaction that is required here..jsut shop on line and lets continue having cashiers...to me thsi ShellX is a thin layer for Profit Margin increase rather than a real shopping experience

Bazza

good idea but it will lack of cheerful staffs' smile at the checkout counter.The shopping environment will become like a big box machine instead of having relax and cozy shopping moment.

Taiwan has been developing this technology about 3 years ago. Got a friend who work on an IR company before who market this thing. Nothing new...

Yep, I made the mistake of going to MASTERS - the Woolies competition to Bunnings - where there are no checkout staff. After trying to scan a plant and dropping soil all over the counter top, I gave up and walked out, never to return.

Memo to retailers: You want customers, provide service!

Yep I reckon only a bloke would think this is good.Go in pick it up, leave. I agree with the mayhem scenarios as above plus how strong would the LCD need to be? And if I want to pay cash (as I frequently do) who will give me change?

Woolies and Coles will love this, they've been trying to sack all their own staff for years. If you shop there, take a long, hard look at yourself.

Interesting article, and thoughtful exchange. Plus I thought that comment about "if you build an idiot-proof system, some fool builds a better idiot" was one of the funniest things I have read for a long time. And so true!!

how would a system like that deal with products such as fruit and vegies where the weight of the item determines the price and not the quantity?

This concept if tested in real store life situations and demonstrates it can function in the manner designed would if introduced compete more fairly with "On Line Buying" as prices will be reduced in line with savings in the disappearnce of check out staff, no waiting for the product to delivered on a date or time when you need to be there to collect along with a recorded history of the customer so extra discounts can be offered

well the Company will have more Profit the do not care so long there is more Money for them

If I had to buy a product just to pick it up off the shelf or if I was on the fence about buying a product, I would leave it there and never buy it. It's bad for retailers so I don't think that many will adopt the ShelfX technology. Stores will eventually shift to digital pricing, but I don't see the ShelfX being the ideal solution for this need. It would obviously designed by a man for a male shopper.

Have these geniuses ever seen people shop? Customers will find a way to screw it up -- customers, not thieves intending to work the system. If they make it so if you change your mind and put something back on the wrong shelf (which is going to be the most common problem) the system still handles it correctly, somebody eventually will leave an item somewhere that the system doesn't pick up (maybe on top of the whole shelf thing, or on top of another item or... if all else works... the floor)! Sure, it's the rare crazy customer's loss in that case, but it's still a good example of why in general you need a human keeping tabs on a computer: if you build an idiot-proof system, some fool builds a better idiot. That's not to criticize humanity; it's just part of the human genius (in the old sense, that of spirit) that we don't fit into systems terribly well, much as we also happen to like them.

Technology that is money orientated is bound to be people crushing. Money itself is o.k. 'BUT' the love of it will always take casualities.

How would that work with fresh produce that varies in weight? How much would a system like that cost to implement? How many jobs would be lost?

Wow, can't wait. It is interesting to see the line "retailers can optimise staff levels" I can imagine the majors now thinking about cutting the staff to virtually none and adding the numbers to the bottom line. But what will be more interesting is when little Johnny comes along and starts knocking over stock and changing location and breaking things. This is all well and good as a concept but being greeted by name just like the good ole days by a computer generated voice - how comforting. The concept is definitely smart but hey with QR codes and picture walls in train stations lets just get rid of the supermarkets all together and go to warehouse direct delivery. Staff can have a well earned retirement on a beach somewhere ordering their drinking via touch screen because we don't need waiter either. That's the life.