New Technology To Allow Stores To Detect Customer Habits (MSFT, INTC)

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) have developed a new technology that will allow signs in stores to detect a customer’s gender and which products the shopper looks at.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the tech giants argue that by gathering information about which messages are more effective, traditional retailers could develop marketing strategies that better counter Web-based competitors. Microsoft has developed a strong position in the retail industry. In the past, Microsoft has created technologies for retailers such as Microsoft Surface that helps customers explore products. It has also developed back-office tools with its Microsoft Dynamics products that help retailers find insights in customer and product data.

However the new technology is bound to raise privacy issues as any technology for detecting individual habits does. There are obvious potential downsides to detecting a person's gender through technology. However, the new technology could potentially benefit retailers in the New Year after a difficult 2009 due to the recession. However a lot will also depend on the consumer spending patterns in the New Year as the US economy shows some signs of improvement.