2011 looks set to not only be the year of m-retailing, but of retailes bringing mobile in-store to enrich the shopping experience and to improve checkout, upselling and customer information management. Leading the charge is a tie up between Starmount and AisleBuyer in the US, who are collaborating to offer retailers Starmount’s mobile point-of-sale (POS) and service for retailer-owned devices with the innovative, consumer-owned mobile shopping application from AisleBuyer.
The collaboration addresses a fundamental shift in consumer shopping behavior with the use of mobile devices. The complete mobile platform helps reduce abandonment rates and long waits in line, personalizes customer interactions for greater service and delivers in-store efficiency with transactions that can take place virtually anywhere on the store floor.
AisleBuyer released the world’s first mobile self-checkout application earlier this year, and Starmount recently announced the availability of its mobile selling assistant, Starmount Engage. AisleBuyer merges the ease of online shopping with the hands-on benefits of in-store shopping, letting users purchase a product right from the aisle using their mobile device.
For the retailer, Engage gives store associates a mobile option to find the latest product details and availability plus full POS capabilities and integration to assist and close transactions without leaving the customer’s side.
“Savvy consumers are using smartphones more than ever to influence their purchase decisions,” explains Jerry Rightmer, president and chief technology officer for Starmount. “With end-to-end, in-store mobile shopping and checkout from Starmount and AisleBuyer, retailers now have a breadth of options to interact and transact with customers.”
“AisleBuyer and Starmount unite the best of both worlds for consumers and retailers by delivering a complete mobile shopping platform,” adds Andrew Paradise, CEO and founder of AisleBuyer. “Fully integrated mobile shopping personalizes the in-store experience for customers, drives in-store efficiency, and delivers greater intelligence of consumer behavior.”
