Technical Proposal Draft 1 (Pointers of the main proposal)

1. Background

Grocery shopping customers spend twice as long scouring general store paths as they did ten years back – in light of the fact that they need to locate the best arrangements and most beneficial nourishment, as indicated by an investigation (We now take TWICE as long to do our weekly shop because bargain hunting is not just about saving money - we enjoy the thrill of feeling thrifty). To address the concern of this proposal, there is unwanted waste of resources from all supermarket in Singapore.


In the year 2016 alone, FairPrice lost 1,000 trolleys, each costing about S$200. This is an increase from 800 trolleys five years back. The general supermarket has spent more than S$150,000 on trolley substitutions and repairs, and the labor expected to recover relinquished trolleys. (FairPrice Press Release,2016) This is a severe problem that demands a solution that could benefit the management of the various supermarket as well as the customers utilizing the facility.


1.1 Current Problem  
The problem has always been there, however, it became a national issue after massive media coverage in Singapore. Trolley usage has been taken for granted by the public due to the act of laziness. General supermarket staff need to work longer hours to recover misplaced trolleys. Lost trolleys must be supplanted, expanding costs at markets and sustenance costs for buyers. The amount spent on replacing trolleys for supermarket has . Supermarkets should put a message at the front of the trolleys, alerting that clients who do not return them will be fined. This will send a solid hindrance message on the unapproved utilize and robbery of trolleys.


In 2001, FairPrice steered a remote innovation at its Hougang outlet - wheels of the trolleys bolted up past an assigned territory. Customer could still find ways to beat the system and it is not profitable. Research on other countries has implemented various idea such as installing fitted chain locks on the front wheels of its trolley and it will be activated once it leaves the perimeter of the supermarkets. Other concept carried out include attaching a metal pole of higher height than the supermarket door so that the trolley could not be pushed out of the store.
However, all the solution are too cost-effective, high maintenance and is not considered workable for FairPrice. Therefore,  a more effective and appropriate approach must be implemented to overcome this issue.(FairPrice Press Release on Trolley Enforcement Project,2016).

Thus we are proposing a self-service machine: Trolley Mini Kiosk (TMK) at the trolley collection point in the supermarket. The Trolley Mini Kiosk will be an EZ-Link tap on and retrieve service. Shoppers will tap on with their EZ-Link card, deposit of the trolley will be deducted and the screen would show the amount of time for shoppers to shop at ease, thereafter, return the trolley to the collection point and tap on the Trolley Mini Kiosk again. This would greatly utilize the technology and it is more convenient to shoppers as they do not need to find for a dollar or fifty cents for the trolley. The time tracker would also serve as a notification for trolley thefts that money will be deducted from their EZ-Link card if they do not return on time or past the given time limit.


2. Problem Statement
Increasing number of missing trolleys have been rapidly increasing exponentially over the past few years. Since patronizers of supermarts are not depositing a substantial amount when they use the trolleys, they conveniently bring it back or chuck it anywhere to their convenience. This research will determine the feasibility and efficiency of installing a trolley mini kiosk (TMK) at the trolley collection point.
3. Purpose Statement
The purpose of this proposal is to address to hypermarket management for the installation of the trolley mini kiosk (TMK). It is hope that with this implementation, the number of missing trolleys reduces significantly which in return lower its operating cost. Therefore, in order to reduce the amount of trolleys being misplaced and mistreated, we intend to implement a system whereby patronizers would have to deposit S$10 via their Ez-link card.
4. Current Implementation
Over the years, FairPrice has implemented various measure to resolve its abandoned shopping trolleys issue. Such measure includes: Exchanging identification cards, coin-lock system and perimeter fencing.
Exchanging identification cards:
The idea of exchanging identification cards is not feasible as it is not necessary that consumers always have their identification cards with them. This is especially true for the older generation where most of them does not have it with them as they are afraid of losing it. Moreover, supermarket needs to employ additional manpower to collect and retrieve their identification card back for consumers every time they return their trolley. This makes it very time-consuming in particular during the peak period on weekends. In addition, this measure does not take into consideration of tourist where they do not have an identification card.  
Coin-lock system:
Before retrieving a trolley, consumers are required to insert a $1. In 26 June 2013, a new coin policy was implemented in Singapore, where new coin started to circulate into the market. With this,  the size of coin for $1 was increased.( Monetary Authority Of Singapore, MAS). Therefore, this have an adverse impact on the trolley issue where it encourage Singaporeans to continue to abuse the $1 dollar coin system since the new 50 cent coin are also able to fit into the trolley.  Therefore, this encourages  shopper to steal the trolley for the sake of their own convenience.

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