- Title: UNITED STATES: NEW COMPUTERISED AND LASER BEAM CHECKOUTS FOR SUPERMARKETS.
- Date: 5th May 1975
- Summary: 1. GV EXTERIOR Supermarket 0.03 2. LV INTERIOR Store with checkout in FG 0.06 3. CU Packets pass over laser scanning window (2 shots) 0.15 4. CU Code on article 0.17 5. SV AND CU Checkout girl and price on scanner (2 shots) 0.21 6. CU Bill itemised (3 shots) 0.29 7. CU Push button operating computerised scales (2 shots) 0.42 8. SV AND CU Cashier using scanner (3 shots) 0.50 9. SC AND CU Girl punches out computer codes, codes stuck onto items (3 shots) 1.04 10. Official speaking 1.30 11. CU AND SV Cashier operating auto checkout (3 shots) 1.39 12. CU Customers at checkout 1.49 TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 10: "When we went into the test we thought that there were significant savings in being able to remove the prices from the grocery items which are about a third of our time in checking. And we still believe that it's true. However, we're sensitive to the customer's concern that she be able to look at the prices for the items and identify with the prices and compare them to others. We decided that we would not remove prices until we're satisfied that the customers are satisfied." ANDY MCMILLAN: "The ruby red laser beam is concealed inside a window in the checkout counter. The clerk pulls each item past the window and the laser spots one of those mysterious patches of squiggles and digits about the size of a postage stamp printed on most labels nowadays." "It's a code that tells not only the price but description. In a twinkling, as each item is packed, the price is flashed to the consumer and credited at the same time -- a complete grocery list typed out by a machine. There are several systems being tested at the nation's leading supermarket chains." "This one, at the Path Mark store in South Plainfield, New Jersey, is also linked to an automatic scale. Groceries are weighed, priced by computer and packed all in one motion. The system is fast, accurate, labour-saving, in several important ways. In short it seems like the answer to the groceryman's dream. But there are a couple of problems. The computers are expensive and to make the greatest use of codes and laser beams, retailers should eliminate the costly and time-consuming step of putting a price sticker on each item. Some consumer groups have been wary of that." "There are about fifteen stores now testing the electronic checkout. They aren't generating savings for the customers yet ... but coded groceries are here to stay. This is Andy McMillan." Initials CL/1630 CL/1652 TELERECORDING This film is serviced with an English commentary by TVN's Andy McMillan -- and an interview with a supermarket executive: Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 19th May 1975 13:00
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- Location: NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA4G6R7SL76U428X490R6OB847F
- Story Text:
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS - SOURCE TO BE VERIFIED
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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