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Tesco launches wireless grocery shopping
Tuesday, August 06 2002
by Andrew McLindon


British shoppers are now able to buy their groceries via handheld computers in
what is claimed to be a world's first. 

Tesco launched its "Pocket Shopper" service on Monday that enables customers
of its on-line store, Tesco.com, to make purchases from a menu of around 20,000
grocery products using handheld computers that run on Microsoft's Pocket PC
operating system. Users will also be able to access relevant updates on prices
and stock using Pocket PC-enabled handheld devices. 



 

According to Tesco, the new system means that shoppers need not be on-line with
desktop or laptop to buy goods. Customers can select the products they want via
their handheld computer and then complete the order by synchronising with an
Internet-enabled PC or by using a wireless connection to the Internet.

 



Tesco said that the service is aimed at working mothers and commuters. "We
expect the first 'pocket shoppers' to be busy career mums who spend their working
lives finding efficiency savings in the office and want to apply the same smart
thinking to free up more time for family life," said Carolyn Bradley, chief
operating officer of Tesco.com. "Being able to shop anywhere on the tube,
train, bus or even plane is an advantage many commuters would also love to
have."

 





Tesco.com, which had a turnover last year of STG300 million, said that it did not
have any targets for customer take-up, but had introduced the service due to
customer demand. 



 

As well as being compatible with any Pocket PC-enabled handset, Pocket Shopper
can also be used by owners of the new XDA from O2, which combines a PDA with a
mobile and runs on the same Microsoft operating system. The Pocket Shopper
software, which was written by the DAT Group in conjunction with Tesco.com, is
free and can be download from the Tesco Web site.

 



A spokesperson for Tesco Ireland told ElectricNews.Net that the company had no
immediate plans to offer the service to users of its e-tailing service, Tesco.ie.
However, the spokesperson said the retailer would monitor customer interest in
such a service.

 



Meanwhile, another British supermarket chain is testing a system that could spell
the end for written shopping lists. Sainsbury's is currently testing an
egg-shaped pocket scanner that scans the barcodes on products. Once the user has
scanned the products, they bring the device to an in-store computer, which
produces an electronic shopping list. 

 



"People can carry the scanner with them all the time," said a spokesperson for
the company. "They might be at a dinner party and having enjoyed a particular
bottle of wine they could then add it to their shopping list using the scanner."
 The Sunday Telegraph reported that the supermarket had yet to decide whether
it will charge for the service.