How far will retailers go to understand how you buy?

economist
In the December 20th, 2008 issue, the Economist covers the latest trends in how Retailers are analyzing your shopping habits.

Would you believe?
– Camera’s that read your facial patterns?
– receiver’s that record your wherebouts based on your cell phone?
– reorganizing the store so the things you buy the most are in the back?
– video cameras hooked up to computers that “mine” your traffic patterns, expressions, and more?

It all reminds me of Paco Underhill’s Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping-Updated and Revised for the Internet, the Global Consumer, and Beyond a favorite read of mine.