Retail embraces the science in science-fiction

Walmart announced a few weeks ago that it would introduce “smart tags” on men's clothing on August 1^st. Apparently, what these “smart tags” do is send out a radio frequency (on items such as jeans, underwear, and socks) so employees know what sizes are missing and if they have them in storage. These tags can be read at a distance using scanners and will be strictly used to control inventory, according to an MSN money article.

It seems that even in the retail world we are not free from hi-tech gadgets that claim to make our shopping experiences (and in this case jobs) more efficient. Although, some would say, perhaps, especially in retail we are not free from these hi-tech invasions.

Walmart is a mammoth company, and all we can do is scramble to keep up with their pace. Last year, Walmart made $400 billion and has almost 4,000 stores in operation (according to MSN money). The fact is that retailers are always looking for bigger and better ways to serve its customer base, and keep them coming back for more. With those numbers, Walmart will continue to stay on top.

However, some consumer groups are alarmed because they believe it could become an invasion of consumer privacy. Right now Walmart assures the public that no consumer information will be collected. The “smart tags” will be strictly used for in-house organizational purposes and the “consumer is in control.”

No one is claiming that there is a huge Walmart conspiracy out there (least of all me) to control consumers, but it's interesting isn't it? Maybe I watch too many science fiction movies but how easy would it be to mass produce these “smart tags” for the very purpose Walmart claims they are not for? Like in the film, Minority Report, where an eye scan records your past and future purchases. But in that alternate universe even the employees are obsolete.

I wonder just how far companies like Walmart are willing to go. First it's “smart tags” to track inventory, then tags to track customer information, and then soon only “smart tags” are needed.

It's surprising that it's in retail where the Alta-technology crazes have blazed a trail. From the iphone with GPS, to the electronic books, hi-tech in retail is evolving fast. But is it necessarily a good thing or the “right” thing? I let you be the the judge.

By: Samantha Taylor

Samantha is a Boston, Massachusetts native. Her studies have taken her from Ohio to England, where she lived for two years. Currently, Samantha lives in Andalucía, Spain, with her husband, and works as an English teacher and personal trainer in her spare time.