Nordstrom’s big Anniversary Sale is underway and the retailer has rolled out iPod Touch checkout devices to speed up (and encourage) purchases. Their system, spotted in the company’s hometown Seattle and Bellevue stores in April, appears to be similar to the one used in Apple Stores. The iPod Touch is backed by a Linea-Pro bar code reader and magnetic stripe swiper. Salespeople can also look up inventory without leaving the customer’s side. The Linea-Pro can print receipts via Bluetooth, but retailers may prefer to use the electronic receipt as an opportunity to get an email address into their customer database. I wonder if more theft will occur without that paper proof of purchase.