Tops Ends Scanner Test

MICHAEL GARRY

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Tops Markets here ended a five-store trial of EasyShop handheld devices shoppers use to scan products as they shop, according to BuffaloNews.com.

"We just didn't have the participation in the technology that we thought we would," said Katie McKenna, a Tops spokeswoman, who was quoted in the report. Less than 2% of customers in the participating stores used it, she said. The test was initiated in 2006.

Stop & Shop/Giant, a division of Ahold USA that operates 560 stores on the East Coast, now offers a similar scanning device in more than 280 stores for shoppers — called Scan It! Unlike Tops’ EasyShop, Scan It! also offers personalized discounts based on shopper history and location in the store.