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By Greg Bartlett

GPS tracking devices have been used in businesses all around the world for the past several years. Tracking vehicles to keep company fleets running smoothly. This also helps to keep vehicles properly maintained and to cut down on vehicle misuse.

Now the latest thing for GPS tracking devices in the world of business is its use for marketing and research. A marketing firm in California has decided to conduct research on the shopping habits of Americans, for example. They plan on attaching passive GPS tracking devices to grocery carts in larger supermarkets and warehouse stores. They will then be able to track the movements of shoppers without invading the privacy of the individual shopper. The GPS tracking device will tell them where the shopping carts go in the store and how long they stay there. This information will be very useful in the placement of items throughout the store. Store managers want to place items that they want to sell in a place that will grab the attention of the shopper as well as make shopping convenient for those who are just grabbing a few necessities.

So far the research of this marketing firm has gathered some interesting information and made a discovery. Roughly one third of supermarket shoppers are just running in for a few items. This is a huge percentage of the store’s business and yet these shoppers are continually overlooked. Stores tend to cater to the shoppers that are stocking up or reading labels and comparing items. They also try to highlight the newest items for those who are always looking for new and interesting things. This new information will be very helpful for stores and they will most likely be modifying their store layouts to make shopping more convenient and enjoyable for those faithful customers that just need a few things and would like to get on their way as quickly as possible.

This marketing research would have been very difficult to get if it were not for the help of GPS tracking devices which enable the stores to track carts and gather information without bothering the customers with polls or invading their privacy.