Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by t_von_doom 1934 days ago
Here in the UK some stores offer a handheld wireless scanner at the entrance to the store (and some chains offer an app so you can use your phone too)

You then scan items as you pick them off the shelf - if you're really prepared you put the item directly into a bag you brought with you.

Payment is then a case of walking up to the till - human or machine - and scanning one final barcode. Your order is presented to you for a final review then you tap your card and leave.

Arriving at the till and paying instantly means my entire queuing experience is over within 5-10 seconds

(Unless you get subjected to an infrequent random poll of your items but these are worth the occasional hassle)

Hopefully you get something similar implemented!

2 comments

QFC tried this in the Seattle area. I actually never tried because it feels more cumbersome than just scanning everything at once.

Also, scales to price veggies and fruits are at checkouts in the states. If they had them in the veggie area, like in much of Europe, things might be really different.

Do the scales potentially have to be there by weights and measures laws?
No idea. In Europe you put weigh them in the veggie section, type the code in, put the sticker on your bag. In China, the same thing happens, except there is an attendant to do it for you.

The USA, this is always done at checkout. If it was a law making that happen, it would have to be at the state level.

This does exist in many bigger stores in Sweden too, and it's bliss.