This video depicts how Tesco have adapted their services for the South Korea market. One of their goals was to increase market share while not increasing number of stores. The solution? "Virtual" stores in subway stations. Have a look, this is pretty cool--
Shoppers add items to their shopping carts by scanning QR codes with their smart phones, and then the items purchased are delivered to their homes. This makes me wonder how public libraries might take advantage of something like this? Imagine browsing books while waiting for a train or bus and having them delivered to your ebook reader or home. Libraries have been exploring the various uses of QR codes. This use would certainly attract some attention to libraries, don't you think?
Can you think of other uses of a virtual store like this?
Hat tip to Martin Cleaver for sharing this video.
2 comments:
Very interesting idea, love how it could translate to libraries, especially with ebook readers. Not sure about delivering to homes, but could do the usual "your book is available for pick up at x branch", well, if branches still exist in Toronto in the mid-term future... ;-)
I saw another innovation for libraries and subways via Spacing recently - " a miniature library module in a subway station." http://spacingtoronto.ca/2011/07/29/madrid-subway-library/
Thanks for the link, Marco! Yes, the idea of having a library kiosk has been around for a while. I like the idea of having a place to drop off books, too.
(Not sure why Blogger didn't turn that URL into a hot link! And it won't let me edit your comment to make it so...).
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