Having extensive experience in the grocery business, I have been working for Trader Joe's for the last four years, I wonder if this will ultimately serve the customers' interests. I am quite prejudiced towards a customer service based atmosphere and my worry is that a system like this will create an even larger distance between the employee and the customer. Customer's already talk on their cell phones from the moment they walk in the door to the moment they exit, even as they are being rung up at the register...

I agree. this seems like a decent idea, in theory, but honestly, are people having that hard of a time finding things, and if they are - I agree - why not go search out an employee. I would file this under the category of a mildly interesting technology, but one that doesn't seem to be serving a highly useful or beneficial purpose.

I agree with both of you in principle, but, have you ever tried to 1)find something 2)locate a knowledgable employee at a major chain store like SAV-ON or RITE-AID or, for that matter, STOP N' SHOP? Trader Joes is very specialized, and although they advertise bulk and money saving items, it is a far cry from a Walmart or a COSCO.
I would probably like a service that helps me find the hard to categorize item in a warehouse, my objection is about privacy and tracking.
How much else will STOP N SHOP know about me (everything once I pay with a credit card) and how will they use that information?

Then you must be willing to compromise all the data that they are able to collect on you as soon as you walk in the store... and people thought "club cards" were bad...

I've been in a supermarket that has a similar technology and wanted to like it, honest. However, as I reached for the soup can the darn thing started barking advertisements and specials at me. Walking passed the chip isle induced a plethora of jingles that made me nauseous.

The technology didn't seem to relate to my shopping habits at all (it was probably a cruder version than what you speak of). I guess I still prefer the old grandmother at Trader Joe's that tells me what $5 wine to purchase.

In my opinion, there will be a group of people like this kind of shopping method. Just like we have already gotten used to using email, cell and various technologies while our parents are still struggling in learning how to manage their PC or Mac. Young people are keen to fresh things. If this kind of the supermarket were really more efficient and convenient regardless of its lacking of human kindness, I believe people will accept it sooner or later.