This interesting
ComputerWorld article explains in-store GPS technology
Basically, there are three approaches described here:
- The use of high-pitched frequency
- Triangulation of an in-store wi-fi signal
- Bluetooth low-energy detectors (also called
beacons) – with one-foot detection accuracy
Interestingly, this may be a way for brick-and-mortar retailers to counteract
the practice of showrooming. Page 4 of the article says, “consumers
are also 46% less likely to go comparison shopping if they have a particular
retailer’s app running on their device.”
Page 4 also indicates that Web retailers have the technological capability to
surreptitiously collect the network IDs of the routers in retail stores and,
then, send low-price offers to the store’s customers whose phones are
communicating with the routers.” That would be a pretty aggressive pricing practice.