John Lewis unveils smart home technology experience at Oxford Street store
John Lewis has set its sights on the future by opening what it claims is the UK’s largest smart home technology experience at its flagship Oxford Street store.
The move comes in response to an 81% increase in sales of smart home products in the past year at John Lewis.
Johnathan Marsh, buying director for electricals and home technology at John Lewis, said: “We are seeking to demystify the latest smartest technology for our customers. In-store experiences are now key as we’ve seen customer demand for physical experiences before committing to purchase increase.
“To help customers understand which smart technology is for them, our Partners have received extensive training to provide added value. Given our home and technology credentials, John Lewis is perfectly placed to support and lead the customer on the smart home journey.”
The 1,000 square foot space features four interactive zones: ‘Kitchen’, ‘Entertainment’, ‘Sleep’ and ‘Home monitoring’.
Products include items such as the Samsung Family Hub Smart Fridge, which allows users to internet shop from their fridge and to view the contents from their phone when out and about, as well as the new S+ by ResMed non-contact sleep tracking system.
Other products featured include Philips Hue lighting, the Sonos PLAY:5 Wireless Music System, the Nest Protect 2nd Generation Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm, the AEG BS8836880B ProCombi Plus Smart Oven and the Netatmo Welcome Home Camera with Face Recognition.
All products included in the space will be available to purchase in-store and online at johnlewis.com.
John Lewis is planning to roll out the smart home experience to other shops across the UK starting with the new John Lewis Leeds store which is scheduled to open in Autumn 2016.
John Vary, innovation manager at John Lewis, said: “Smart home technology is designed to make life more convenient, and the introduction of this new curated experience – the first on the high street – marks a brilliant step in innovation for John Lewis. Showcasing the latest smart products, this experience demonstrates in a real-life setting, how technology has exciting and far-reaching implications for today’s lifestyles.”
