Shoe emporium schuh is to offer customers free social Wifi with easy one-off log in to provide customers with a better-connected service and to help manage its own stock taking.
schuh wanted a guest WiFi system that was easily accessible through social login or a short form, enabling seamless subsequent visits and a built-in reporting platform that’s easy to use. In addition, the team at schuh needed to easily edit login pages and URL redirects, identify devices in different locations and view analytics, gaining valuable insights in order to communicate more effectively with customers.
Working with social Wifi provider Purple Wifi, schuh will also use the WiFi to automatically direct customers to the http://www.findmysize.co.uk/ service, which allows customers to check stock in real time on their phone. The customer simply logs in, enters a code from the product that they are interested in and the stock checker will tell them what sizes and colours are available in that particular style.
Other factors in schuh’s decision to choose Purple WiFi included the ability to gain social media exposure and encourage customers to more easily use social tools such as Skype and FaceTime to show their friends potential purchases. Free guest WiFi makes connectivity and social sharing much easier, as there’s no need to rely on 3G or 4G availability.
Using a completely separate and secure channel from the customer WiFi, schuh is also using Purple WiFi for its mobile payment service. This incorporates handheld payment devices, transactional kiosks and e-receipts to give the customer a choice of how they want to shop.
Chrid Johnston, Customer Insight Manager at schuh, explains: “We’re delighted that Purple WiFi can be customised so that visitors to our stores are getting a real schuh experience when they access our free WiFi. The potential insight that the analytics will give us and how it can be used to make visiting our stores even more enjoyable for our customers is really exciting”.
Gavin Wheeldon, CEO, Purple WiFi comments: “It’s fantastic to see this example of a retailer using the power of Purple to make a real difference to the customer. Using Purple WiFi has allowed schuh to create efficiencies, encourage brand loyalty and hopefully give the customer a better experience. This is a great example of the channel model in action, working together with Ingram Micro, Egton, Meraki and schuh.”
The guest WiFi solution has already been installed in two thirds of schuh’s estate, which encompasses over 100 stores. Plans are in place to roll out the solution in the remaining stores by Q2 2015.
Purple WiFi worked in partnership with Egton and Cisco Meraki to deliver the WiFi solution for schuh following an introduction from Ingram Micro.
