Ever stepped into a shopping mall or precinct and found yourself wandering around aimlessly looking for something, but you are not quite sure on what to buy? On the other hand, you find yourself window-shopping more often than actually stepping into the shopping outlet. Alternatively you may have just finished shopping and just as you are about to walk in between the two security panels and out of the door, the alarm is set off with a rush of feet running towards your way.



Often, no matter how many times you have the assistant scan the barcode tag with their wireless scanners, this is never enough to disable the security tag, which sets off the alarm. However, this is just a precaution against thieves and burglars, hence everyone are subjected to the embarrassing mishaps that occur on occasion. Therefore, shopping is an ordeal in itself. However, some retail shops have taken steps into alleviating the stress of waiting in line at the checkout till and giving customers the control instead.

Shopping is something that many people do like to do but it is a complicated procedure, as more often than none you do tend to approach a few problems, which leaves you red faced. Take for example a simple weekly shopping at the local supermarket, you are about to take your food to the checkout but then discover that you can check your own food out using a self-service checkout counter. These are great if you are in a hurry, but they do not necessarily reduce the time.

However, you encounter a problem that leads to an assistant being called up to type in a code and re-scan the product. On the other hand, perhaps you scan an item but then you find you have to provide proof of age to an assistance, just to purchase a box of matches. These things lead to a very misleading sense of security that you have made the right decision in using the wireless scanners to speed up your shopping process; not to mention you are lead to believe that you are in full control - until it goes wrong.

Some supermarkets have wireless scanners at the front of the store so you can walk around, zap each product that you want to buy, check how much the item is if it is not already displayed and then get to see the total amount when you get to checkout. This further adds to the illusion that you are in complete control, as you are able to calculate how much the total cost of your food shopping bill will at the end of your chore.

It almost seems like the customers are given a say in the keys to some of the ins and outs of shopping. All that is missing is a uniform and name badge. It is a good way for the supermarkets to allow the customer to gain control of their shopping needs without the tedious long queues, miscalculations of the tills and the long wait behind another customer who take their time in selecting their items.