Cool Tech: Virtual grocery stores in subways
Jan 26Picture this. You’re in a crowded bus station or subway waiting for that final commute home after a long workday. You’re standing there, antsy pants, with 10 minutes to spare. Chances are you’re burning the time on your mobile device –be it Facebook stalking or Words with Friends’ing.
Well what if you could turn that downtime into productive time. Say, using your phone to grocery shop, right there on the subway station walls. Sound bananas? Well in South Korea, it’s happening.
Over the past five months, Tesco, a British grocery chain, has been opening virtual grocery stores in subway stations and bus stops in Seoul. Commuters use their smartphones to scan and purchase these virtual items, which are then delivered to their homes.
Here’s how it works: The subway station walls look just like the shelves of a typical grocery store – only the items are just photographs and each is tagged with a QR Code. Shoppers launch an app and scan the QR Codes of the items they’d like to purchase. Money is automatically deducted from their bank account, and then voilà – the goods meet you at your doorstep!
According to a Tesco promotional video, during a campaign over 10,000 users used the virtual grocery shop. New registered members rose by 76% and online sales increased by 130%. Now that’s a whole lot of Chobani and Cheerios!
What a magical way for retailers to turn down time into shopping time. Some may say it’s mobile ordering at its fancy finest. What do you think? Is this just one more way our phones will become our wallets and personal assistants? Would you use a virtual grocery store? Turn your downtime into comment-time and share your thoughts here!

And while you may think this requires a painful breakup from your favorite restaurant while you attempt a slim-down, think again. Many chains have made food-related resolutions too, with the health conscious consumer in mind. Restaurants are kicking off 2012 with new low-calorie menu options and unique promotions, catering to customers hoping to wittle their middle and combat the fat.
It’s been quite a year at ONOSYS! If we claimed to be blushing orange, that would be creepy and facetious. But thanks to you, our fantastic partners and friends, we’re proud to share what we accomplished with your help in 2011:
Good news, right? Lame-free and fee-free outlets designed more for moving dollars than users’ wandering thoughts. But are you ready to take advantage of this change? If you’re using social media successfully, a 