the combination of RFID and database technology will soon enable retailers to record data about consumers.....

Question

even when they have not purchased anything at the store. can you think of an example and how the data could be used?

Answer 1

The ways this info can be used are almost infinite. There are companies that collect information about consumers from over 32,000 retail stores in the U.S. This info can be linked to other info about you such as your name, address, occupation, income, credit rating, vehicles and real estate owned, etc. It can even be linked to a satellite image of your home.

When you walk into a store, the RFID tags on your clothing can tell them everything about you. There are pilot programs to have "smart price tags" on the shelves that change prices according to who is looking at them. For instance, if you normally buy only sale items, the price of the merchandise you are looking at could go up. Same thing if you live in a minority neighborhood.

If you go into a computer store, they can tell how much room you have on your credit cards. If you have thousands of dollars available (and a high credit rating or high income) they can try to sell you the highest priced item. If you have $13.49 in your bank account and no credit available, the salespeople can ignore you.

Another thing that is being tested is "smart shelves" which can tell when you pick up an object and know if you put it in your cart or back on the shelf. They have photographed consumers' faces to see their expressions when deciding to buy or reject an item. They are also using this technology to detect shoplifters.

These are just a few examples.
.

Answer 2

Wal-Mart is already using this technology.

It could be used for targeted advertising, SPAM, junk mail, etc. or for demographic distribution of merchandise.