Old Navy Piloting iPod Touch-Based Checkout System

[MacRumors]

Just over a year ago, Apple began rolling out an iPod-based checkout system known as "EasyPay" in its retail stores. A few months later, it was reported that Apple was considering commercializing the system. The system has been marketed for some time now as Linea Pro by its creators, Infinite Peripherals, who offer it as a $499 accessory for the second- and third-generation iPod touch.

It is unclear how many other customers Infinite Peripherals has been able to sign on to the technology, but 9 to 5 Mac reports that The Gap's Old Navy retail store chain has been piloting usage of the system, known there as "ZipCheck", in a few of its stores. According to the report, Old Navy is piloting one ZipCheck system per store, with some employees also carrying small wireless printers on their belts to quickly provide customers with receipts for purchases made through the device.

Article Link: Old Navy Piloting iPod Touch-Based Checkout System

 

[galstaph]

sounds interesting, wonder if it'll take off along the whole chain? or all gap brands?

 

[rdowns]

Don't security tags on clothing make these kind of useless for saving time?

EDIT: Old Navy stuff too cheap for tags but other retailers use them.

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

On a retail management level The Gap and Apple Retail are the exact same organization. Most of Apples top retail (non corp.) managers are from The Gap so this move doesn't really surprise me. Like rdowns mentioned though I don't see how this could work with security tags etc. but more than that when Easy Pay first started being implemented at the Apple stores the customers hated it. I don't think the Cash Wrap is dead quite yet.

 

[alectheking]

hmm.. I work with Nike I wonder if we'll see these popping up to replace some of the handheld units we use. Doesn't seem a far stretch given their relationship. here's to hoping!

 

[ezl]

Don't security tags on clothing make these kind of useless for saving time?

Not necessarily. If they follow the Apple store model and check you out where you stand, then all they need to do is remove the tags and bag the items for you. Assuming they have enough security tag removal gadgets and bag stations I think it would still be a lot quicker than waiting on line.

 

[Andronicus]

On a retail management level The Gap and Apple Retail are the exact same organization. Most of Apples top retail (non corp.) managers are from The Gap so this move doesn't really surprise me. Like rdowns mentioned though I don't see how this could work with security tags etc. but more than that when Easy Pay first started being implemented at the Apple stores the customers hated it. I don't think the Cash Wrap is dead quite yet.

This guy didn't hate it, I thought it was quick and efficient.

 

[rdowns]

Not necessarily. If they follow the Apple store model and check you out where you stand, then all they need to do is remove the tags and bag the items for you. Assuming they have enough security tag removal gadgets and bag stations I think it would still be a lot quicker than waiting on line.

I'm all for checking out of store quicker but I don't think this works well for clothing. Aside of the security tag removal, people want their clothing folded and placed in a bag. This takes time and counter space.

IMO, this is a solution in search of a problem, at least for clothing retailers.

 

[SpinThis!]

I wonder how much Apple actually had to do with this product. I would wager Apple contracted out some guys to do this, it worked pretty well, and the contractors wanted to start their own business based on the knowledge they got and asked Apple if they could. This is the result. The company is definitely not a spinoff of Apple that's for sure. If Apple wanted to market this thing, it would certainly look better, that's for sure—just look at the website. Apple registers all their domains under MarkMonitor as well.

 

[tmhale13]

I like the Apple process...

I personally enjoy the check-out process at the Apple Stores. It is quick and painless. This comes in especially handy when the store is packed and people are cramming to the counters asking questions and wanting to pay. I just do a quick scan and approach the first "free" employee I find. I can see this model working well in other retail environments. Old Navy could, with the proper security tag deactivation, be a pretty successful venture. They too tend to have crazy lines and pushy customers.

 

[d21mike]

I really like the receipt via email.

 

[cxny]

Some things are made for each other:

peas and carrots, chips and dip, Snooki and alcohol classes.
Old Navy and iPhones? Nah....

 

[guzhogi]

That's pretty cool. I've heard that a few retailers give their employees more money as they sell more products. I don't know how these work, but maybe each iPod could be set up for each employee in order to track how many sales they make. Of course, this would mean competition between the employees with them being too obnoxiously nice to you and trying to upsale you. But that'll happen regardless of whether they use the iPods or not.

I wonder what they use on their backend to do inventory and whatever. Would be nice if Apple brought back the Xserve and made it more useful for businesses, data centers, etc.

 

[BJMRamage]

Old Navy stores have Security tags?? don't think the ones near me do....and they just toss the clothes in a bag anyway, they come pre-wrinkled anyway.

I see this as a fine thing....add a bag clip to the employees belt and bam, purchase and bag and roll out!

I hate their long lines.

 

[shartypants]

So now Old Navy employees will need to carry with them the iPad, a printer, bags and a security device unlocker? And maybe customers will have an iPhone app to locate these employees as they walk the store?

 

[nwcs]

So now Old Navy employees will need to carry with them the iPad, a printer, bags and a security device unlocker? And maybe customers will have an iPhone app to locate these employees as they walk the store?

Finally a real use for an augmented reality app!

 

[ShiftyPig]

I have yet to have an acceptable experience in an Apple Store since the transition to iPod-based checkouts. Absolutely awful for people who know what they want, pick it up, and want to head out.

Once you take out the novelty, it really is an abortion of an idea. I always walk out feeling as if I should have saved the last 10 minutes of trying to find a person willing to help me by just walking out with the product.

 

[guzhogi]

I have yet to have an acceptable experience in an Apple Store since the transition to iPod-based checkouts. Absolutely awful for people who know what they want, pick it up, and want to head out.

Once you take out the novelty, it really is an abortion of an idea. I always walk out feeling as if I should have saved the last 10 minutes of trying to find a person willing to help me by just walking out with the product.

I haven't had too many problems with it, although I've rarely bought anything in store. If I ever go in store, it's usually to go to the genius bar to get something repaired. Mind you, I'm the computer tech @ a school with about 300 Macs so I have to go there a lot. Darn kids. And teachers.

Back on topic, what would be ideal, imo, would be a dedicated check out area along with a few roaming employees with these iPods.

 

[ten-oak-druid]

The creepy manequins can be posed to hold the ipods when not in use.

 

[anigmad]

Hmm..I live in Indy and almost always know exactly what I want when I go the store...I walk in, find my items and finding an employee to check me out has always been easy -- They have greeters at the front that can even check you out. They swipe my card, put a sticker on my purchase, and I tell them to just email the receipt and I'm done.

Usually less than 5 - 10 minutes.

I have yet to have an acceptable experience in an Apple Store since the transition to iPod-based checkouts. Absolutely awful for people who know what they want, pick it up, and want to head out.

Once you take out the novelty, it really is an abortion of an idea. I always walk out feeling as if I should have saved the last 10 minutes of trying to find a person willing to help me by just walking out with the product.

 

[goodcow]

I haven't had too many problems with it, although I've rarely bought anything in store. If I ever go in store, it's usually to go to the genius bar to get something repaired. Mind you, I'm the computer tech @ a school with about 300 Macs so I have to go there a lot. Darn kids. And teachers.

Why on earth are you going to the Genius Bar to do school repairs?

iMacs and MacPros have on-site service options provided by AppleCare and any laptops (or Mac Minis) you should just send out FedEx Overnight for repairs at the Texas center.

 

[spillproof]

I don't want to go walking around the store to find a person to check out. Or be in the way of others trying to shop.

To me, this idea seems neat on paper and in theory, but impractical in the real setting. I see it being a hassle - holding all your stuff you are buying plus purses, rummaging through wallets and purses, plus signing on screens with a pen is hard enough for many people. Then, as someone else already pointed out, the cashier would have to have a printer, bags, and a security device remover on them.

 

[ajmccoll]

As an employee of Old Navy, I can tell you that this is indeed true, but only high volume stores are getting them (stores that are super busy all the time).

The way the process works is if you're running in just for something quick and cheap, instead of waiting in line you can simply find one of the "ZipCheck" employees and check out with them.

Our clothes have security tags on them, but only on adult items at a certain price point and above (I think it's $25 and up). The rest of the clothes have soft tags that are to be cut out at home.

 

[JAT]

I have yet to have an acceptable experience in an Apple Store since the transition to iPod-based checkouts. Absolutely awful for people who know what they want, pick it up, and want to head out.

Once you take out the novelty, it really is an abortion of an idea. I always walk out feeling as if I should have saved the last 10 minutes of trying to find a person willing to help me by just walking out with the product.

Not being able to find a person is different than mobile checkout issues. Find a person, drag them to what you want, make them check you out. My last visit took 5 minutes. Twice the girl was about to walk away, assuming I needed to shop around, I made sure she didn't and walked out very fast.

They seem to be programmed to show you an area ("oh, the laptops are right here, let me know if you want some help"), then let you play around for 1/2 an hour. Pretty much the same at any retail shop with the "help" walking around.

 

[Kevin marshall]

I am not much bothered about the check-out system at Apple stores as it quick and harmless. But i think they should have tags and newer technologies to stop this useless wastage of time of the customers.