Scanner data is one of the Big Data sources which is used more and more in national statistical systems for the calculation of price indices. Many of the price measurement issues and methods for scanner data from supermarket chains and other retailers apply also to other big data sources, for example, online prices obtained from web scraping. This series of e-learning courses has been developed by the Task Team on Scanner Data of the UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics. It showcases how scanner data can be used at a National Statistical Organisation (NSO). The courses demonstrate how to obtain Scanner data, develop coding examples and discuss applications, opportunities and challenges of its use at the NSO.

This introductory course aims to raise awareness of what Scanner data is and to showcase how it can be applied at a National Statistical Organisation (NSO). Information will be shared on how to obtain Scanner data, plus the opportunities and challenges it presents for incorporating its use at the NSO.