Genius or creepy? Kmart's latest changing room feature freaks shoppers out!
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Shopping could be a delightful pastime, especially when shoppers find that perfect item as if it was made for them.
Yet, the changing room experience is a necessary step, especially for those shopping for clothes.
However, a recent development at Kmart just added a new layer to this experience, leaving some shoppers feeling uneasy.
Imagine walking into one of the retailer's changing rooms only to find out that the clothes you're carrying have been tracked and displayed on a screen for all to see.
This isn't a scene from a futuristic movie; it's the reality at some Kmart stores, where a new feature has been introduced and has caused quite a stir.
A Melbourne local shared his surprise on social media when he encountered a large screen outside the changing rooms at his local Kmart.
The screen displayed images of the items he took inside the changing room—including a pair of skinny jeans and a polo shirt.
Every time someone enters a changing room, the screen could update to show the items.
The technology behind this feature is RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), which should scan the clothes' tags.
While this may sound like something out of a spy novel, it's actually a tool intended to prevent shoplifting.
The RFID scanners could also provide real-time stock updates and streamline the checkout process for shoppers.
The RFID tags may be scanned in bulk rather than individually, which makes it a time-saver.
Kmart assured its customers that there are no cameras or photographs involved with this technology.
'RFID technology is used globally and not new to Kmart, as it is already used in other areas of our stores, including with our Tory robot, which uses RFID technology to count our inventory daily and improve the shopping experience for our customers,' a Kmart spokesperson stated.
Despite these assurances, the new feature received mixed reactions from the public.
Some shoppers found the new feature 'creepy' and invasive, which made them worry about their privacy.
Concerns were raised about the visibility of personal items, such as underwear, on the external screen.
Others criticised the installation quality and called it an 'awful job.'
On the flip side, several shoppers welcomed the innovation.
They saw it as a harmless and efficient way to combat theft and improve store operations.
They argued that RFID has been a common technology worldwide and should not pose a threat to privacy as it doesn't involve visual surveillance.
Amidst the debate, one shopper humorously questioned the feature and asked, 'Can it tell me if the clothes look good on me or not?'
Unfortunately, for now, the technology stops short of offering fashion advice.
What are your thoughts on this new Kmart feature? Have you encountered the RFID screens at Kmart? If yes, how did it make you feel? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
Yet, the changing room experience is a necessary step, especially for those shopping for clothes.
However, a recent development at Kmart just added a new layer to this experience, leaving some shoppers feeling uneasy.
Imagine walking into one of the retailer's changing rooms only to find out that the clothes you're carrying have been tracked and displayed on a screen for all to see.
This isn't a scene from a futuristic movie; it's the reality at some Kmart stores, where a new feature has been introduced and has caused quite a stir.
A Melbourne local shared his surprise on social media when he encountered a large screen outside the changing rooms at his local Kmart.
A Kmart shopper shared his latest in-store find: RFID scanners that scan clothes being brought in the changing rooms. Image Credit: Reddit
The screen displayed images of the items he took inside the changing room—including a pair of skinny jeans and a polo shirt.
Every time someone enters a changing room, the screen could update to show the items.
The technology behind this feature is RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), which should scan the clothes' tags.
While this may sound like something out of a spy novel, it's actually a tool intended to prevent shoplifting.
The RFID scanners could also provide real-time stock updates and streamline the checkout process for shoppers.
The RFID tags may be scanned in bulk rather than individually, which makes it a time-saver.
Kmart assured its customers that there are no cameras or photographs involved with this technology.
'RFID technology is used globally and not new to Kmart, as it is already used in other areas of our stores, including with our Tory robot, which uses RFID technology to count our inventory daily and improve the shopping experience for our customers,' a Kmart spokesperson stated.
Despite these assurances, the new feature received mixed reactions from the public.
Some shoppers found the new feature 'creepy' and invasive, which made them worry about their privacy.
Concerns were raised about the visibility of personal items, such as underwear, on the external screen.
Others criticised the installation quality and called it an 'awful job.'
On the flip side, several shoppers welcomed the innovation.
They saw it as a harmless and efficient way to combat theft and improve store operations.
They argued that RFID has been a common technology worldwide and should not pose a threat to privacy as it doesn't involve visual surveillance.
Amidst the debate, one shopper humorously questioned the feature and asked, 'Can it tell me if the clothes look good on me or not?'
Unfortunately, for now, the technology stops short of offering fashion advice.
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