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1247 points mangoman | 6 comments | 05 Dec 16 14:57 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
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elicash ◴[05 Dec 16 15:31 UTC] No.13105963[source]▶
I worked at a grocery store for several years, and one thing I recall is customers CONSTANTLY putting items back in a random aisle, rather than where they found it.

I wonder how this tech deals with that? Maybe they figured that out, too. But I was amused in the video when I saw the customer putting it back where it belonged, because that's not how I remember that going...

All that said, this is fantastic and exciting.

Edit: I also hope they're already thinking about EBT cards and WIC.

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Cthulhu_ ◴[05 Dec 16 15:38 UTC] No.13106046[source]▶
I really wouldn't trust 'picked up off the shelf' detection, not without the whole thing looking like a giant vending machine. RFID tags on products probably works better.
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stevenmays ◴[05 Dec 16 16:08 UTC] No.13106339[source]▶
I think RFID tags are too expensive to put on every product. I may be wrong on this.
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1. cobookman ◴[05 Dec 16 16:35 UTC] No.13106606[source]▶
RAIN Rfid tag is < 10cents.
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2. Someone ◴[05 Dec 16 16:49 UTC] No.13106749[source]▶
1% is a decent average margin in a grocery store (http://smallbusiness.chron.com/industry-standard-gross-margi...).

So, it would require a $10 item to break even on a €0.10 tag.

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3. tgb ◴[05 Dec 16 17:13 UTC] No.13106987[source]▶
I don't think you can make that conclusion. Presumably this store will be saving money on cashiers by instead using RFIDs.
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4. Someone ◴[05 Dec 16 17:23 UTC] No.13107126{3}[source]▶
The article I quoted claims 1% is the _gross_ margin, in which case my argument is valid. I now think that is incorrect, as other high-ranking Google results claim it is the _net_ margin.
5. cobookman ◴[05 Dec 16 17:36 UTC] No.13107300[source]▶
But if using RFID saves them more than the cost of the technology its a win.

Basically if Savings from reducing sales persons > Cost of New Technology, you'll add the new tech.

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6. Someone ◴[05 Dec 16 22:17 UTC] No.13110260{3}[source]▶
It doesn't have to be strictly cheaper, as it also adds convenience. Not having to wait at the checkout will be worth something to customers, possibly quite a lot in the case of a shop targeting richer customers.