Tesco Google Glass

The view from the Glass

Tesco has become the first retailer to launch a version of its grocery app through Google Glass allowing customers to shop hands-free.

Developed by Tesco Labs, the Tesco Grocery Glassware lets shoppers who are wearing Google’s latest innovation to browse goods, view nutritional information and add items to a shopping basket, without touching anything.

It works alongside customers’ Tesco.com grocery accounts, automatically adding products to their online basket for them to review and order by computer, tablet or mobile.

Tesco said it has intentionally kept the app simple as it considers consumer response to wearables and likelihood of increased demand.

“We don’t envisage Glass becoming the new platform for shopping as its functionality is different, and more immediate,” said Tesco Labs’ innovation engineer, Pablo Coberly. “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.”

“We’ve intentionally kept functionality very basic given the early stages of customer use of Glass. We’re keen to see how customers react to shopping with Glassware and welcome feedback or suggestions from customers using Glass.”

Glass users can install Tesco Grocery Glassware through MyGlass on their mobile device or desktop.