Holding the line:

IT budgets are getting tighter, but grocers continue to invest in projects that will boost customer service and store efficiency

From Grocery Headquarters, July 1, 2009

While some larger projects may be put on the back burner and few if any grocers are overhauling their basic technology infrastructureS, CIOs are still making room in their budgets for the things that matter—systems that will improve efficiency and enhance customer service.

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Grocers continue to invest in systems that impact customer service and that is the case at Ahold USA, which recently reaffirmed its commitment to handheld self-scanning technology with its recent expansion of the devices across its Giant Food banner.

The chain’s Scan It! system has moved beyond pilot mode and has been phased into approximately 60 of Giant’s 180 stores. Scan It! is comprised of MC17 wireless handheld scanners from Holtsville, N.Y.-based Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions, which run software provided by Quincy, Mass.-based Modiv Media. A dedicated display, located near each store’s customer service counter, houses the units. Shoppers swipe their loyalty card over a dedicated scanner on the fixture to retrieve a scanner.

As shoppers pick merchandise from store shelves, they use the device to scan item barcodes and place products into their shopping cart. During the visit, the scanners also deliver electronic coupons and promotions to various customer segments. All orders are electronically totaled and transactions can be tendered at a dedicated stationary self-checkout lane.

Read the Full Article: Grocery Headquarters