Big Retailer is watching you: stores seek to match online savvy

BERLIN: The next time you walk into a shop, consider this: You may not be using your phone, but it is giving out a unique signal that the retailer may be monitoring. A face scanner may check your age and gender while sensors pick up your body heat to help locate popular parts of the store.

Consumers have become used to players like Amazon closely following their shopping habits online, triggering targeted product recommendations, advertising and offers.