The WiFi service, due to be fully installed by the end of August, will allow customers to read product reviews online, check-in, or discuss their purchases on Facebook or Twitter, while Maplin will be able to provide a more personalised service to customers based on their browsing and shopping experiences, including cross selling a range of tailored products and promotions via the branded WiFi landing page.
Research from industry regulator Ofcom shows that over 50% of adults now own a smartphone, so the demand for consumer electronics and internet access in-store is soaring. Recent research has found that 60% of shoppers have used the mobile internet while in stores, and 78% would use free WiFi in stores if it was offered.**
Vince Russell, managing director of The Cloud, said: “As tablet and smartphone penetration continues to climb, customers increasingly demand great connectivity wherever they are. Our partnership with Maplin indicates how far WiFi has come and the extent that retailers are embracing it. We’re excited at the prospect of delivering new and innovative services for them and more importantly their customers.”
Chantelle Roach, marketing manager, at Maplin said: “Consumers are becoming incredibly tech savvy as the range of gadgets on the high street expands. Increasing numbers of our customers carry mobile devices, wherever they are. As a result, WiFi in store has become a consumer expectation rather than a luxury. Retailers need to embrace it or risk losing out.