CartVU is a technical system that is installed in the checkout counter and -scans, -alerts, -registers, any items on the lower tray of the shopping cart.
General Background In Gemany, empirical research has shown that: –10% of all clients place items on the lower tray of the shopping cart –the average value of which totals approx 8,00 €. If these items are overlooked by the cashier once per day and checkout counter, this will lead to a total loss in sales of €2.440 per year and checkout counter (305 days x 8,00 €). The effectiveness of mirrors and similar devices is not measurable.
Inventory Losses in 2006 One in 200 shopping carts are not paid for, or, in other words, every household steals items worth 50 €each year. The average inventory losses have improved by 1.2% year-on-year to 1.05%. This improvement is mainly the result of internal organisational improvements (e.g. improved inventory control, process optimisation). According to the retail industry, the crime rate increased simultaneously and continues to rise. This is why there is a need to introduce preventative measures.
How it works CartVU is installed in the checkout counter, which allows the sensors to scan the checkout lane: - these sensors activate CartVU as soon as a shopping cart enters the checkout zone; – they scan the lower tray for any objects; – CartVU alerts the cashier when objects are on the tray; – a monitor displays an image of the lower tray to the cashier; – the cashier confirms the image by pressing a button; – the data (image, checkout counter, date, time, confirmation) is stored for later review. The entire procedure is fully integrated into the checkout process to avoid delays. Only those trays actually containing items are checked.
Technology CartVU is a modular system and consists of –6 sensors which activate CartVU, scan the lower tray and afterwards deactivate CartVU –a camera and a monitor, which create and display an image of the lower tray for the cashier to see (these images do not affect personal privacy rights) –a confirmation button for the cashier –a CPU which controls the entire system, stores the images and the corresponding data (checkout counter, date, time, confirmation through cashier) and can be integrated within the local network –a central software to analyse the CartVU data –acoustic and optical signals –reflectors to identify the shopping carts
Value Proposition CartVU offers retailers the following advantages: • from a quantitative perspective: –further reduction of inventory losses –thus increasing revenues • from a qualitative perspective: –educational effect for customers and staff –revival of the Bottom-of-Basket to increase customer convenience as well as the amount of goods per shopping cart • from an investment perspective: –ROI including maintenance less than 12 months
Data Analysing Options The stored data may be analysed centrally or locally. Statistic data collected by the standard software: - How many shopping carts passed the checkout? - How many shopping carts had items on the lower tray? - How many pictures were not confirmed by the cashier? Advanced analysis by an optional image-receipt-match: - Was the item on the lower tray billed?
