Letter: Rapid delivery is retailing's future

Sir: The key to the development of retailing lies in the ability and willingness of retailers to deliver - literally.

The future of retailing lies in simpler technology than the Internet (report, 23 August, letter, 29 August). All you need is a city-centre store to display the goods and a bar-code reader. Customers wander around the display of goods, "swiping" as they go. At the exit, the reader is totalled and printed.

The customer pays, the store guarantees delivery within a three-hour slot, including evenings. All deliveries are made from a cheap warehouse site.

Customers don't need cars, firms don't need enormous supermarkets but can still display a wide range of commodities.

All it needs is a lead from a major operator.

R E CRUM

Norwich