QThru mobile shopping platform

QThru has announced the launch of its mobile platform: a new technology
for retailers that enables shoppers to scan items with a smartphone as
they shop, facilitating an incredibly efficient checkout from their
phone. The QThru system has had a successful test market deployment in
the Seattle area.

“Given recent advancements in technology, consumers are realizing there
is a better way to check out of a retail store without standing in a
long line,” said Aaron Roberts, founder and CEO of QThru. “Current
self-checkout stations only magnify the problem because they are slow
and inefficient and create a bottleneck in the store. QThru provides a
simple solution that saves time while also building customer loyalty.”

After a simple installation, a retailer’s products and pricing are
seamlessly synchronized with the QThru cloud. Customers can then
download the QThru smartphone app and start shopping. To complete the
checkout process shoppers simply enter a previously stored passcode and
scan a QR code at a checkout kiosk which completes the transaction from
their phone. QThru uses a cloud-based, fully PCI-compliant, secure
storage facility to protect payment and personal information. A receipt
is generated from the kiosk, which is highlighted in a different colour
and is reviewed by a store employee at the door.

QThru uses a cloud-based, fully PCI-compliant, secure storage facility to protect payment and personal information. Advertisement

Aaron Roberts has spent 20 years building consumer-facing services
through technology. Most recently he was a senior software development
manager with Research in Motion, leading and growing successful
products used by tens of millions of customers.
“For the past year and a half we have worked with retailers to
understand their needs,” said Roberts. “We are convinced the QThru
platform provides a turnkey solution for enhanced efficiency, loyalty
and security for any retail business. The greatest challenge was not the
comprehensive database integration but rather the ability to include
weights and measures for items such as produce. But we knew if we could
handle that scenario then we could handle anything else.”

The cost for a retail store to integrate with QThru is free. Adding a
checkout kiosk is $900 and the inclusion of a digital scale brings the
price to just $5,000. The software is simple to integrate and does
not require a specialist.

“We’ve been testing QThru for six months at the IGA Ridge Supermarket in
Snoqualmie, Wash.,” said Tyler Myers, president of the Myers
Group. “We wanted to see how our customers embraced this alternative
technology and it was enormously popular. We plan to install QThru in
our other retail locations including a hardware store. QThru also allows
us to offer added value to our customers through exclusive
announcements, events and coupons and we plan to install it now at all
of our grocery and hardware stores.”

QThru recently announced $3.5 million in private financing, allowing the
company to move forward with its growth strategy and installation
plans.

Related links
www.QThru.com