Tag: geolocation shopping

10 locations of the massive retail chain will now offer this location based product pickup service.

Curbside, a company that uses geolocation technology to redesign the traditional local shopping experience, has now announced that it is rolling out its service in 10 Target locations in New York and New Jersey.

The service makes it possible for an order to be placed so that it can be ready for pickup when the customer arrives.

According to a recent press release from Target, “We know today’s consumers are looking for faster and more convenient ways to shop. That’s why Target is constantly exploring new ways to improve the shopping experience and save our guests time and money.” By using this service, customers can use their mobile devices to shop for one or several products that they want from Target. They can then drive to the store to pick it up. Geolocation technology alerts the store of the arrival of the customer so that the completed order can be brought to them.

The process involves geolocation technology in the customer’s mobile device and in beacons at the store.

This allows a customer to pull up in front of the store and pick up what they ordered on the mobile app, without ever having to go inside and find what they want. It allows them to skip the checkout line, and they don’t even need to try to find a parking spot.

Using the Curbside app and service is free, and Target does not increase the prices of its products when they are purchased through this location based technology.

According to the co-founder of Curbside, Jaron Waldman, who is also its CEO, “Curbside’s mission is to make the shopping experience at local stores faster and easier than ever before.” Waldman added that “We anticipate that local shoppers in New York and New Jersey will find Curbside to be an invaluable service that fundamentally changes the way they shop.”

As about 90 percent of Target shopping is done in-store (according to a recent study by Census), both Curbside and the retailer are hoping that they will be able to use this geolocation based pickup service to continually enhance the shopping experience.

A popular UK mall is using iBeacon technology for its special “Ladies Night”.

The marketing team at Meadowhall shopping center, located in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, has developed a mobile app that uses geolocation technology, which will give its female shoppers the opportunity to take advantage of great deals and bargains during its “Ladies Night” event later this week.

Shoppers with the mobile app can receive real-time discount offers.

Meadowhall’s marketing team, in collaboration with technology startup TagPoints, developed the application. However, the app was not only designed for the upcoming event, but has also been created to work with specific events that are occurring throughout the shopping mall’s calendar. That being said “Ladies Night” will be its initial test.

When users download the app, real-time shopping deals from retailers in the mall will be sent directly to their mobile device. This is made possible through BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) iBeacon technology.

When a shopper discovers a hotspot, a push notification is sent to their smartphone. All they need to do is tap the notification to activate the offer. Once activated, the offer can be redeemed immediately. Some of the participating retailers include: Hotel Chocolat, House of Fraser, Cath Kidston, and Krispy Kreme.

Meadowhall’s marketing director, Richard Pinfold, said “our upcoming Ladies’ Night event provides us with the perfect opportunity to launch this new platform. We will be closely monitoring our customers’ response to the trial to best manage the frequency and targeting of messages, and indeed the hotspot locations as a result.” He went on to say that iBeacon is an “exciting marketing concept”. It allows Meadowhall to connect with its shoppers and provide them with appropriate discounts and offers based on the customer’s location.

The introduction of geolocation technology is only one of many new systems implemented by Medowhall.

In addition to the app that uses iBeacon, the mall has also put its MallComm app into action, which is an application designed to share information and news among retailers who trade at the shopping center.

Nonetheless, it is the hope of Meadowhall that their trials during this event will help to illustrate the usefulness of iBeacon geolocation technology to retailers and consumers, alike. Location based tech has been rapidly adopted among merchants around the world, but shoppers are more hesitant to take part as they are resistant to opt into programs that involve tracking. Should the technique be employed appropriately, however, this has the chance to become one of the most successful applications achieved, so far.