Tesco has become the first major retailer in the UK to launch an app for Google’s innovative Glass device. The Tesco Grocery Glassware app lets shoppers browse goods, view nutritional information and add items to your shopping basket hands-free. .

It has been developed by Tesco Labs, which experiments with disruptive technologies that have the potential to change the way customers shop. Tesco said that it has intentionally kept the functionality of the app simple as it considers the consumer response to wearables and the likelihood of increased demand.  Glass wearers can add items to their basket either by doing a voice search or by scanning a product’s barcode using the in-built camera.
 
Pablo Coberly, Innovation Engineer at Tesco Labs commented: “At Tesco we want to ensure we have the means in place to allow customers to shop whenever, however they want which is why we’re testing the possibilities of customers topping up their online basket with Glass”
 
The Tesco Grocery Glassware works alongside customers Tesco.com grocery accounts, automatically adding products to the customer’s online basket for them to then review and order by computer, tablet or mobile.
 
Coberly added: “We don’t envisage Glass becoming the new platform for shopping as its functionality is different, and more immediate. Instead, it compliments other devices and integrates shopping into everyday life because products can be ordered or added as and when customers realise they need replacing.”