“Simply shopping faster.” This is the slogan of the Pasabini advertisement. Coop launched the system with handheld scanners and self-propelled tools in Swiss supermarkets in 2005. Sixteen years later, self-scanning has become indispensable. “Pasabini is very popular with our customers,” says Coop’s spokesman Andrea Roberti.
The Passabene system is now renewed. “We are currently offering the latest generation of handheld scanners in all Coop supermarkets,” declared Ruberti. It promises a “perfect shopping experience”.
Do consumers experience their blue miracle?
Blick readers are currently expected to test one of these in Canton Schwyz. The new handheld scanners are already available at the Coop Seewen-Markt supermarket. But instead of trying out shopping, some people experience their blue miracle.
New hardware has everything. A new camera and microphone are integrated into it. Coop doesn’t want to reveal what a wholesaler can do with the new jobs. “We are delighted to refer you to the manufacturer of the brand Zebra,” says spokesperson Ruberti when asked about Blick.
The truth is, supermarket operators are leaving no opportunity to make their records ring hard. To understand the psychology of shopping behavior, dig deeper into your portfolio of scams. You have to crouch down to grab the cheap line, premium products are conveniently placed on the shelf at eye level. The red undertone in the light above the meat screen should increase the appetite for fresh food. Well-ordered fruits and vegetables arrive right at the entrance to put consumers in the mood to buy.
“Full customer monitoring?”
And now the camera and microphone, “to fully monitor customers?” Seewen Reader Reporters write to the editorial team. Blick wants to know more about this and asks manufacturer Zebra’s European headquarters in France. Theoretically, the camera and microphone can be used to track customers in the store.
Zebra spokeswoman Valerie Perevin denies, “The microphone and camera are not used to track customers in the store.”
The microphone can enable voice commands and quick answers to customers’ questions. It provides voice assistance so that customers can quickly reach a store employee should they need assistance. “The camera can be used to collect data about goods and articles, and to collect data on products while shopping.”
Berrivin: The solution provided by Zebra complies with and respects the GDPR in all respects.
What it doesn’t say, but it’s also technically feasible: The camera could theoretically be used to record walking paths in the supermarket. Where does the customer communicate, how long does the customer stay in the campaigns or how much time does the customer spend in the store in general?
Do not use Coop functions
Of course, it’s up to Coop whether the retailer activates this bundle of new jobs, according to Zebra.
What is a Coop up to? Are the jobs already active? Not at this time, says a Robertie spokesperson. There are currently no plans to use these functions. Coop doesn’t currently track customers in store, and the wholesaler doesn’t hear conversations while shopping, they say.
Clients must agree
Good to know. Also: If Coop intends to use cameras and microphones, data protection guidelines must be amended and Passabene user approval obtained.
A spokesman for Coop Ruberti assured that “since the new generation of Passabene devices does not make any changes in terms of data use, modifications to the terms and conditions are not necessary”.
It is best for users of portable scanners to pay close attention in the future when an information message from Passapini comes home again.
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