IntelligentCart: Architecture of an Innovative System for the Acquisition of Products in Grocery Stores

Large grocery stores are nowadays used by millions of people for the acquisition of an enlarging number of products. Product acquisition represents a complex process that comprises time spent in corridors, product location and checkout queues. On the other hand, it is becoming increasingly difficult for retailers to keep their clients loyal and to predict their needs due to the influence of competition and the lack of tools that discriminate consumption patterns. In this article it is presented the proposal of an architecture and solution of an innovative system for the acquisition of products in grocery stores (IntelligentCart). The IntelligentCart explores emerging mobile technologies and automatic identification technologies (such as RFID) as a way to improve the quality of services provided by retailers and to augment the consumer value thus allowing to save time and money.