Foodland Tests Infrared People Counter

HONOLULU – Foodland Super Market here, which operates 32 stores, has recently installed thermal-powered people-counting and checkout-management systems from U.K.-based Irisys in a pilot program at four stores.

Based on infrared technology, Irisys’ thermal sensors counts people by detecting body heat at key points in retail stores such as the front door and over checkout lanes. The integrated data is used to predict how many staffed registers are needed in 15‐ and 30‐minute intervals.

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“Irisys’ technology will help us run our stores more efficiently and ensure that our customers won’t have to wait in long checkout lines,” said Robert Murphy, chief information officer for Foodland, in a statement. “The pilot program with Irisys is the first step in testing the technology to determine how it may be deployed in nearly all our stores.”