SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--QThru™ announces the launch of its mobile platform—a new technology for retailers that enables shoppers to scan items with a smartphone as they shop, facilitating an incredibly efficient checkout from their phone. The QThru system has had a successful test market deployment in the Seattle area.
“Given recent advancements in technology, consumers are realizing there is a better way to check out of a retail store without standing in a long line,” said Aaron Roberts, founder and CEO of QThru. “Current self-checkout stations only magnify the problem because they are slow and inefficient and create a bottleneck in the store. QThru provides a simple solution that saves time while also building customer loyalty.”
After a simple installation, a retailer’s products and pricing are seamlessly synchronized with the QThru cloud. Customers can then download the QThru smartphone app and start shopping. To complete the checkout process shoppers simply enter a previously stored passcode and scan a QR code at a checkout kiosk which completes the transaction from their phone. QThru uses a cloud-based, fully PCI-compliant, secure storage facility to protect payment and personal information. A receipt is generated from the kiosk, which is highlighted in a different color and is reviewed by a store employee at the door.
Aaron Roberts has spent 20 years building consumer-facing services through technology. Most recently he was a senior software development manager with RIM (Research in Motion), leading and growing successful products used by tens of millions of customers.
“For the past year and a half we have worked with retailers to understand their needs,” said Roberts. “We are convinced the QThru platform provides a turnkey solution for enhanced efficiency, loyalty and security for any retail business. The greatest challenge was not the comprehensive database integration but rather the ability to include weights and measures for items such as produce. But we knew if we could handle that scenario then we could handle anything else.”
The cost for a retail store to integrate with QThru is free. Adding a checkout kiosk is $900 and the inclusion of a digital scale brings the price to just $5,000, a fraction of the cost of the self-checkout stands you see today. The software is incredibly simple to integrate and does not require a specialist.
“We’ve been testing QThru for six months at the IGA Ridge Supermarket in Snoqualmie, Washington,” said Tyler Myers, president of the Myers Group. “We wanted to see how our customers embraced this alternative technology and it was enormously popular. We plan to install QThru in our other retail locations including a hardware store. QThru also allows us to offer added value to our customers through exclusive announcements, events and coupons and we plan to install it now at all of our grocery and hardware stores.”
QThru recently announced $3.5 million in private financing, allowing the company to move forward with its growth strategy and installation plans.
About QThru
Seattle-based QThru was founded in 2011 to bring a cloud-based mobile shopping platform to the masses and make life easier for retailers and shoppers. For more information visit www.QThru.com.
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