New River Retail rolls out free WiFi in its shopping centres
New River Retail is to offer shoppers access to free WiFi across its UK shopping centre sites.
Working in partnership with The Cloud, NRR has now made the service live in 12 centres with customers logging in to ‘The Cloud’ hotspot being directed to a NRR centre-branded landing page.
NRR said the service will offer free WiFi access to over 54 million shoppers through their mobile devices. Research from The Cloud has shown that 73% of smartphone owners have used their phone when they are out shopping to check prices, look for offers or use apps such as Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare.
Allan Lockhart, NRR property director, said: “The digital age has changed consumer behaviour dramatically and it is our role, as shopping centre owners, to be one step ahead and not only adapt the retail environment for that change but pre-empt such change. Today, successful retail is multi-channel. At NewRiver we have a committed bricks’n’clicks strategy because we see the digital world as an opportunity for the physical stores at our centres. Working with The Cloud to provide free WiFi allows us to deliver the experience and service our shoppers wants and needs.”
Never Miss a Retail Update!Vince Russell, managing director of The Cloud, added: “It is safe to say mobile has become a core part of the shopping experience and this trend will only grow as more and more consumers start using smartphones and tablets. While the likes of 3G and 4G offer a means to go online, the service can be slow and unreliable – especially at peak times. Shoppers know this and are increasingly looking to WiFi hotspots for fast internet access. In adapting to suit the modern shopper, NRR can capitalise on mobile and reap the rewards.”
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