Getting data about a shopping behaviours can be extremely helpful in providing improved efficiencies in product logistics.

This project had several objectives:

- Gather data from each shopper and try and gauge their behaviour
- Gain the type of data that can inform scalable systems and provide a clear understanding of demands, intentions and decisions.
- Make the shopping process faster and easier with less waste
- Aid shoppers so that they can find what they want quickly.

 

We designed an app that took data such as:

 

- light level at the face of the phone to determine how it was being held and if it was in active use. I.e. a phone held down by your side will register darker than a phone held at face height when considering overhead lights.

- Location in store to track speed and progression through a supermarket

- Pace to understand how much time is spent lingering and buying ad hoc rather than planned directed purchases

 

In order to make the app appealing it was designed to be used as a 'mobile checkout' where you 'tap into' the store much like the tube system used by Transport For London. You walk around the store with directional prompts for good deals and offers, or frequently sought out products and scan goods as you choose them. On exit, you 'tap out' and charge the amount to your bank account. This system was designed to be appealing, easy to use, and fast. It also keeps costs low by reducing the number of checkout staff needed and keeps the checkouts moving, especially in busy periods.

 

Further features meant that you can choose meals and the app will automatically add the ingredients to your shopping list and help you find them in store. When you dispose of packets you can scan the barcode and the product will be added to your shopping list so you don't forget regular items when you run out.

 

Additionally, nutritional data can be added to help suggest meal plans for the week and ensure that you are getting a good overall balance of nutrients over a week or month. 

 

Below is a mock up of the app.