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Food Lion LLC, which operates more than 1,200 stores in 11 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, has selected TreoSystems' iPAL product locator system to deploy in their new Bloom concept stores. The following are selected pictures showing some of the leading-edge technologies being used in the stores and of the iPAL system in action. Click on a picture to see the full image. |
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Store Front
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Located in north Charlotte, this Bloom store was the first of five launched in 2004. |
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Inside the Store
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Bloom is designed to provide customers with a store-of-the-future experience – simple, uncomplicated and hassle-free. The first thing a customer sees is the TableTop Circle convenience center where they can quickly get ready-to-eat meals, prepared foods, pizza, milk, beer, etc... like a small convenience store-within-a-store. |
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At the core of the concept is a host of technology systems including portable self-scanners, multiple self-checkout options and information kiosks.
Bloom is taking a leading role in the grocery industry by incorporating these new technologies in this unique store. |
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Wireless handheld scanners let shoppers ring up and bag their own groceries as they shop. They pick up and register for the device at this station, then scan products as they shop.
When finished, the totals are immediately downloaded to the register, payment is made, and the shopper walks out the door.
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iPAL in the store
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There are eight information kiosks located throughout the store, all identified by big "Information" signs prominently hanging above each.
The iPAL product locator is available at each of these information stations using touch-screen display units manufactured by a division of NCR, Copient Technologies. |
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Each information station includes a general map of the store, additional shopping bags and baskets, and the touch-screen display that shoppers can use. |
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The display offers three primary services to the shopper::
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To start iPAL, the shopper simply touches the "Locate a Product" button on the main screen... |
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...and the iPAL product locator begins.
An onscreen keyboard lets a shopper enter any full or partial product name. Then by touching "Find" they will be either shown the location and map of where that item is located, or be presented with a short list of items that match what they typed.
They can also do a search by touching the "Browse Store" button at the bottom of the screen. |
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With the Browse Store option, the shopper is given a selection of key products to choose from, listed alphabetically.
Rather than scrolling through each screen, the index on the right can be used to go directly to the products that start with that letter.
Touching any item will instantly display the location. |
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A closer look at the main screen.
A customer is looking for "raisins'" in the store. By typing this and touching the "Find" button, the iPAL system instantly displays...
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... a map of the store.
The information at the top tells them the aisle and section in which "raisins" can be found, while the map indicates where they are currently standing (You Are Here) and highlights the product's location on the map. |
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A closer look at the map.
The Bloom pinwheel logo highlights exactly where "raisins" can be found. |
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iPAL in Action
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This shopper asked a new Bloom employee where he could find pancake syrup. She didn't know but immediately took him to the nearest Information Station and selected "Locate A Product" on the screen
Explaining the purpose and capabilities of the product locator, she types in "syrup". |
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The associate shows the shopper their current location and exactly where the syrup is in Aisle 1.
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