This idea is the smart Store. The Smart Store would replace check out assistants with computer technology, and queues at the checkouts would disappear. How would the smart store work ? When you entered the smart supermarket, you'd collect a small electronic pen from an assistant. Then you'd run the pen over the par code on the goods before you put them in your trolley, and the pen would record your purchases. At the checkout, you wouldn't meet a checkout assistant, instead you'd find a checkout console. You'd put the pen into the console and the computer in the console would show the total cost. To pay, you'd pass a credit card through a slot on the console. Then you'd put your hand or finger on a scanner. This would identify you, so you couldn't use someone else's credit card. You'd leave the shop through a security arch like the ones at airports. lf you didn't scan everything in your trolley, an alarm would ring.