For the past several years, there has been intense competition from online retail channels and brick and mortar locations. While many physical retail locations have done their best to try and increase their online presence, and at the same time making the experience easier, dominating online retailers like Amazon have not been asleep at the wheel. According to a new patent that was approved last month, it appears that the firm has a clever idea up its sleeve when it comes to thwarting comparison shoppers in its own stores.
The patent is for technology that will monitor and control what happens to customers while they’re browsing the internet from inside a retail store. This could occur when a customer strolls into an Amazon store and connects to the store"s wireless connection. When a customer starts searching the internet for items and is comparison shopping, the technology will take action by blocking the information from reaching your device, redirecting your search to other content, sending an SMS or email, or simply sending a physical store representative to come and assist you.
Naturally, at this point, this is still just a patent, and it unclear when, if ever, this technology will arrive in your local Amazon store.
Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office via Squawker via Engadget |Image via pat2pdf