5.4 Retailing

Computers are commonly used in check-out machines to scan bought goods and add up the cost. In more recent systems, check-out computers may report directly to a central computer that controls the stock room; when the supplies of a particular product are low, the stock-room computer may inform a manager or it may send a message to the appropriate manufacturer to place an order.

Several forms of electronic payment for goods are also in trial. In some systems, a card similar to an ATM card or cheque card is used to authorize direct payment from the customer's bank account to the store's bank account. In other systems, the customer presents a card which has previously been `charged' with some amount of credit (for which the customer has paid); payment is deducted from the card's credit and added to the store's credit.