Architectural Design and Development Recommendations for iBeacon based Smart Shelves in a Retail Store

The growth in digital technology has given most sectors an economic boost, especially retail. Digital technology has successfully made a new concept of an online store and brick-and-mortar presence. However, a physical store is still in demand for most individuals, considering the convenience of grab and go without waiting for delivery. Some recent studies found that most retailers face the same issue with the customers who tend to be more demanding towards selecting a product with specific brands. Therefore, the retail sector, which could provide more products, brands, and freshness, will win, whereby small retailers could only depend on pricing to beat the competitor. Henceforth, the researchers have proposed the implementation of iBeacon based smart shelves for retail stores based on IoT devices. This research mainly focuses on most retailers' current state and issues. This research critically evaluates similar systems and justifies the use of IoT devices and other infrastructural components using a systematic approach, and finally proposes the architecture and recommendations for building the iBeacon based smart shelves for retail stores.