Retail shopping is being transformed by Beacons, which are wireless transmitters that use Bluetooth communication technology to send push notifications to nearby smartphones or internet enabled devices. The precise nature of Beacons enables services that can help customers find a specific item or information. The transmitter works by sending an ID number to the smart device or internet enabled device. The information is sent to a server that assesses what action is assigned to the specific ID number and responds accordingly. Beacons can be used to deliver information and speed up the checkout process for contactless mobile payments and to reduce queues. Retailers can use the customer data collected by Beacons to analyse shopping preferences and trends. The technology can also help keep track of the whereabouts of staff and help deploy the workforce to the right areas.
