Market News

Canadian Grocery Shoppers Ready for RFID, Survey

Although RFID tagging is still in the experimental stage in Canadian grocery stores, a new survey by TNS Canadian Facts reveals Canadians are keen on the technology. The market information group said its recent online survey of 1,056 primary grocery shoppers revealed that three-quarters of respondents said they would be willing to try out a checkout lane enabled with RFID technology and more than half (56%) said they would prefer using an RFID lane to ring up their purchases. With industry studies showing that waiting times at checkouts could be reduced by 30% with this technology, consumers are attracted to the convenience and time-saving benefits of RFID, says TNS. And while 40% of those surveyed had some concerns over security, privacy and safety regarding RFID, TNS said about three-quarters of respondents were more worried about the cost of the technology and that it might not work properly. Source: Canadian Grocer, E-Newsletter, February 23, 2007.