2006年VOA标准英语-Supermarkets Use Technology to Enhance Shopping

By Mil Arcega
Washington, DC
29 August 2006
 
watch High Tech Supermarket

Supermarkets are using technology to get shoppers to spend more time and money at their stores.  VOA's Mil Arcega reports that if your local supermarket doesn't have wi-fi access, interactive¹ store maps or TV screens in its shopping carts --  it may be only a matter of time.

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The supermarket of the past is racing² toward a high tech future.  And clever marketers are starting with their youngest consumers.  Publix Supermarkets in the U.S. city of Atlanta, Georgia have begun testing TV Karts for toddlers. Moms can shop in peace while their kids ride along watching their favorite TV shows.  

TV Karts  
  
Marketers say the TV Karts generate revenue by keeping children entertained so parents can shop longer.

If the TV screen is not enough to hold a child's attention, parents can drop them off at a play center at Wegman's supermarket in Virginia. 

There is adult supervision³ so parents can scan the grocery aisles⁴ without having to rush.

 
shopping buddy⁵ 
  
And there are high tech toys for grownups, too. 

This computerized tablet is called the "Shopping Buddy". The miniature computer keeps a running tab of every item in the shopping cart.  Consumers can e-mail their grocery list and the device will let them know if any of the items are on sale. It also shows the location of the products.  

Mike Grimes  
  
Stop and Shop marketing⁶ manager Mike Grimes says the device can even take a deli order from customers on the other side of the store and let them know when it's ready for pick up.  "The shopping buddy has two primary benefits to shoppers. The first  -- saving money, extra savings⁷.  The other thing it saves is time."

If you really want to save time, "Veggie Vision", a computerized scale and camera, identifies various fruits and vegetables and automatically prices them for you. 

And when it's time to pay, a finger may be all you need.   It takes just a few seconds for a machine to identify your unique fingerprint⁸ and debit⁹ your account.  Two thousand stores in the U.S. now have the "Pay by Touch" biometric technology.   Consumers sign up by providing a bank account number and a fingerprint.

Some European stores are testing tiny radio transmitters on their goods.  The wireless¹⁰ devices can tell if a product is nearing its expiration¹¹ date or needs to be restocked.

And someday, as an I.B.M. commercial shows us, those transmitters will mean you may not even need your fingerprint to make a purchase.

1 interactive   

adj.相互作用的，互相影响的，（电脑）交互的

参考例句：

• The psychotherapy is carried out in small interactive groups.这种心理治疗是在互动的小组之间进行的。
• This will make videogames more interactive than ever.这将使电子游戏的互动性更胜以往。

2 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

3 supervision   

n.监督，管理

参考例句：

• The work was done under my supervision.这项工作是在我的监督之下完成的。
• The old man's will was executed under the personal supervision of the lawyer.老人的遗嘱是在律师的亲自监督下执行的。

4 aisles   

n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊

参考例句：

• Aisles were added to the original Saxon building in the Norman period. 在诺曼时期，原来的萨克森风格的建筑物都增添了走廊。
• They walked about the Abbey aisles, and presently sat down. 他们走到大教堂的走廊附近，并且很快就坐了下来。

5 buddy   

n.（美口）密友，伙伴

参考例句：

• Calm down,buddy.What's the trouble?压压气，老兄。有什么麻烦吗？
• Get out of my way,buddy!别挡道了，你这家伙！

6 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

7 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

8 fingerprint   

n.指纹；vt.取...的指纹

参考例句：

• The fingerprint expert was asked to testify at the trial.指纹专家应邀出庭作证。
• The court heard evidence from a fingerprint expert.法院听取了指纹专家的证词。

9 debit   

n.借方，借项，记人借方的款项

参考例句：

• To whom shall I debit this sum?此款应记入谁的账户的借方？
• We undercharge Mr.Smith and have to send him a debit note for the extra amount.我们少收了史密斯先生的钱，只得给他寄去一张借条所要欠款。

10 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。

11 expiration   

n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物

参考例句：

• Can I have your credit card number followed by the expiration date?能告诉我你的信用卡号码和它的到期日吗?
• This contract shall be terminated on the expiration date.劳动合同期满，即行终止。