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Project Info
Client
Home Bargains
Service
UX/UI and Software development
Tools
Android and IOS
Challenge
Home Bargains approached us with a challenge that was costing their team significant time and effort each day. When the price of a product needed to be updated, staff were required to physically remove the item from the shop floor and take it to the back of the store. This process disrupted workflow and impacted store efficiency.
The issue was further compounded when multiple products required price changes simultaneously. Each item had to be scanned individually, updated manually, and a new barcode printed before it could return to the shelves. This created a bottleneck in operations, wasting staff resources and delaying the delivery of accurate pricing to customers on the shop floor.
The Solution
To address the time-consuming price update process, we devised a streamlined and highly practical solution. The core of the idea was to eliminate the unnecessary back-and-forth between the shop floor and the stockroom. We built an intuitive Android application that allowed staff to scan barcodes directly on the shop floor using a mobile device. Once a product was scanned, the app enabled immediate access to the pricing system so that changes could be made on the spot.
The app was designed with simplicity and speed in mind. Rather than relying on outdated or cumbersome systems, it offered a clean interface tailored for retail environments. After scanning and updating the price, staff could print the updated product label instantly using a portable printer. This label could then be applied immediately, ensuring customers always saw the correct price and that store operations remained uninterrupted.
We integrated the app with small, lightweight Bluetooth printers that could be carried around the store. These printers were chosen for their reliability and compatibility with Android, and could easily be clipped onto a belt or trolley, keeping the user mobile and hands-free. The pairing of mobile scanning with mobile printing created a fluid workflow where staff were empowered to act quickly and efficiently.
This seemingly simple innovation made a measurable impact on productivity. By removing the need to walk to and from the stockroom for each price change, the solution saved each store an estimated three days’ worth of staff time per month. In a large retail operation like Home Bargains, those hours added up quickly—freeing up team members to focus on more valuable tasks and improving overall store performance.
Conclusion
The introduction of this mobile pricing solution brought significant operational efficiency to Home Bargains. What was once a labor-intensive, repetitive task became a quick, seamless process completed in real time on the shop floor. Staff could respond to pricing updates instantly, reducing delays and minimizing disruptions to customer experience.
Beyond time savings, the system also reduced frustration among team members and helped maintain more accurate pricing across stores. By cutting down on unnecessary steps and leveraging simple, effective technology, Home Bargains now has a scalable solution that supports their fast-paced retail environment while improving day-to-day workflows.