GB2143661A - Sales arrangements - Google Patents

Abstract

The specification discloses a retail outlet at which one or more items for customer selection are displayed, the outlet being provided with a key or like operated mechanism, wherein, the customer is provided with key means or the like for selecting items and any such selection is stored in a memory device. The retail outlet may further comprise means for the customer to indicate that selection is completed, means for displaying the cost of an item, and, means for providing a hard copy of some or all of the contents of the memory device.

Description

SPECIFICATION Sales arrangements This invention relates to sales arrangements, and particularly to an improved arrangement of goods for customer selection.

Much shopping is currently carried out in supermarkets and hypermarkets where a customer moves around a display area and selects goods from display and transfers them to a trolley or basket.

Upon completion of selection, the customer goes to a check out and when the goods are once more moved by hand while the prices are ascertained and fed into a cash register. The displays of goods have to be replenished as goods as sold, and this requires the use of staff to be moving goods from store to display, and these staff may also inhibit customer access to goods on display. Further, and this is of great economic significance, goods on display are readily accessible to shoplifters as well as customers and the loss from shoplifting is one of the major costs in self service retailing.

In accordance with the present invention, a retail outlet is provided in which items are displayed for customer selection by key or like operated mechanism, and each customers selection are accumulated in a memory device until the customer signifies that selection is complete, the memory device is arranged so that it then lists the goods for the selections to be withdrawn from store for collection and delivery and also totals the cost for settlement.

In a preferred arrangement in accordance with the invention a display space or area is to be sufficient to display, on several levels, e.g. 5 or 6, all items for sale. One sample tin or pack being shown behind glass or by an illustration. Below each such item will be the day's price, which is changeable by remote operation, and a key-insertion position which can be "shuttered" remotely (and automaticall.y if desired) when the stock of that item runs out.

A master memory unit will hold the following information: 1. A description of each item - e.g. 12 oz tin of baked beans; with the option of further details such as: maker's name, store's own code, and so forth; 2. The item price, this can be altered as required by manual intervention, but normally only after, a security procedure, e.g. the insertion of a special master key; and 3. Stock position details (with print-out if required).

Provision may be made for an automatic warning of low stock positions, and for manual intervention to emphasise any item as special week's offer or otherwise draw attention.

Upon entering the super or hyper market, the customer collects just a key, bearing a number in clear. This key also incorporates, unseen, a magnetic/electronic number identification which feeds into the master memory. The key may also have normal stores type of theft alarm which actuates an alarm device if the key to be taken outside the store. Before starting his shopping, the customer, if he wishes to collect his goods at the end of his shopping tour must actuate, with his key a "Goods wanted now" switch. If he wishes to use the more normal method i.e. delivery to his address, he does not have to do anything further. He then walks around the store viewing the displays, and at each display where he wishes to purchase, he inserts his key, and turns for each one of that item he wants. If he wants two of that item he turns the key twice.

Each insertion and turn is instantaneously stored remotely in the master memory and is then printed out on a list either as it happens or on completion.

The list will normally include a time of key issue and the description code and price of each item selected.

This is repeated for every item he chooses.

At the end, and hefore going to the cash till, the customer inserts the key, and turns it and withdraws it, at a "FINISHED SHOPPING" key slot. He then proceeds to the cash till, and gives the key to the cashier The cashier then inserts it in her own key slot, together with the customer's address card; she then immediately gets the total of money required and while this is being paid by the customer the full detailed list is delivered in duplicate if required, and marked PAID. This together with his change is given to the customer, the cashier keeping the second copy.

The goods are then subsequently delivered to the customer's address, unless he had selected the "Goods wanted now" in which case he must go to a special collection point. A special fee for this instant service is charged.

In a storage and packing area, all goods can mechanically (by belt, etc), or even part mechanically, part manually delivered to packets, and placed in delivery boxes.

Delivery would be by small vans, e.g. electric, and a small charge could be made for this, particularly if outside a given radius.

In each box delivered would be the third copy of the list.

The master copy and control machine could at any time give the manager the day's total, items sold, low stock situation, and other information, and it would also control stock records, etc.

By using a lay out in accordance with the invention, the area of the store may be much reduced as only one of every item sold is displayed. Also, the stock area can also be smaller than normal as goods can be stored to ceiling level.

No trolleys at all are needed, and the space they occupy is thus also saved. The high-lighting of "Special Offers" can be very eye-catching, and can be changed art a moment's notice, only by the manager, remotely. There can be no shop-lifting.

The store can be made attractive with coffee bars, seating areas, gardens, water fountains and so forth.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

1. A retail outlet at which one or more items for customer selection are displayed, provided with a key or like operated mechanism, wherein, the customer is provided with key means orthe like for

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Sales arrangements This invention relates to sales arrangements, and particularly to an improved arrangement of goods for customer selection. Much shopping is currently carried out in supermarkets and hypermarkets where a customer moves around a display area and selects goods from display and transfers them to a trolley or basket. Upon completion of selection, the customer goes to a check out and when the goods are once more moved by hand while the prices are ascertained and fed into a cash register. The displays of goods have to be replenished as goods as sold, and this requires the use of staff to be moving goods from store to display, and these staff may also inhibit customer access to goods on display. Further, and this is of great economic significance, goods on display are readily accessible to shoplifters as well as customers and the loss from shoplifting is one of the major costs in self service retailing. In accordance with the present invention, a retail outlet is provided in which items are displayed for customer selection by key or like operated mechanism, and each customers selection are accumulated in a memory device until the customer signifies that selection is complete, the memory device is arranged so that it then lists the goods for the selections to be withdrawn from store for collection and delivery and also totals the cost for settlement. In a preferred arrangement in accordance with the invention a display space or area is to be sufficient to display, on several levels, e.g. 5 or 6, all items for sale. One sample tin or pack being shown behind glass or by an illustration. Below each such item will be the day's price, which is changeable by remote operation, and a key-insertion position which can be "shuttered" remotely (and automaticall.y if desired) when the stock of that item runs out. A master memory unit will hold the following information: 1. A description of each item - e.g. 12 oz tin of baked beans; with the option of further details such as: maker's name, store's own code, and so forth; 2. The item price, this can be altered as required by manual intervention, but normally only after, a security procedure, e.g. the insertion of a special master key; and 3. Stock position details (with print-out if required). Provision may be made for an automatic warning of low stock positions, and for manual intervention to emphasise any item as special week's offer or otherwise draw attention. Upon entering the super or hyper market, the customer collects just a key, bearing a number in clear. This key also incorporates, unseen, a magnetic/electronic number identification which feeds into the master memory. The key may also have normal stores type of theft alarm which actuates an alarm device if the key to be taken outside the store. Before starting his shopping, the customer, if he wishes to collect his goods at the end of his shopping tour must actuate, with his key a "Goods wanted now" switch. If he wishes to use the more normal method i.e. delivery to his address, he does not have to do anything further. He then walks around the store viewing the displays, and at each display where he wishes to purchase, he inserts his key, and turns for each one of that item he wants. If he wants two of that item he turns the key twice. Each insertion and turn is instantaneously stored remotely in the master memory and is then printed out on a list either as it happens or on completion. The list will normally include a time of key issue and the description code and price of each item selected. This is repeated for every item he chooses. At the end, and hefore going to the cash till, the customer inserts the key, and turns it and withdraws it, at a "FINISHED SHOPPING" key slot. He then proceeds to the cash till, and gives the key to the cashier The cashier then inserts it in her own key slot, together with the customer's address card; she then immediately gets the total of money required and while this is being paid by the customer the full detailed list is delivered in duplicate if required, and marked PAID. This together with his change is given to the customer, the cashier keeping the second copy. The goods are then subsequently delivered to the customer's address, unless he had selected the "Goods wanted now" in which case he must go to a special collection point. A special fee for this instant service is charged. In a storage and packing area, all goods can mechanically (by belt, etc), or even part mechanically, part manually delivered to packets, and placed in delivery boxes. Delivery would be by small vans, e.g. electric, and a small charge could be made for this, particularly if outside a given radius. In each box delivered would be the third copy of the list. The master copy and control machine could at any time give the manager the day's total, items sold, low stock situation, and other information, and it would also control stock records, etc. By using a lay out in accordance with the invention, the area of the store may be much reduced as only one of every item sold is displayed. Also, the stock area can also be smaller than normal as goods can be stored to ceiling level. No trolleys at all are needed, and the space they occupy is thus also saved. The high-lighting of "Special Offers" can be very eye-catching, and can be changed art a moment's notice, only by the manager, remotely. There can be no shop-lifting. The store can be made attractive with coffee bars, seating areas, gardens, water fountains and so forth. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. A retail outlet at which one or more items for customer selection are displayed, provided with a key or like operated mechanism, wherein, the customer is provided with key means orthe like for selecting items and any such selection is stored in a memory device.

2. A retail outlet as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for the customer to indicate that selection is completed.

3. A retail outlet as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, further comprising means for displaying the cost of an item.

4. A retail outlet as claimed in any of the preceedng claims further comprising means for providing a hard copy of some or all of the contents of the memory device.

5. A retail outlet as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hard copy comprises a list of the items selected tabulated with the corresponding costs and a total cost.

6. A retail outlet as claimed in any of the preceeding claims, wherein the key or like operated mechanism is disabled if no items are available for selection.

7. Key means or the like, for use with the retail outlet of any of claims 1-6 and provided with means enabling each key or the like to be identified.

8. Key means or the like as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means enabling each key or the like to be identified are in a machine-readable form.

9. A retail outlet substantially as hereinbefore described.