Shopping center operator Simon has partnered with eBay to launch the “Connected Mall” interactive directory at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif. The new digital experience includes point-to-point navigation for mobile devices, as well as personalized offers and deals.
The Connected Mall is designed to provide retailers with a new way to boost store foot traffic and collect customer feedback. Presented on a 72-inch, HD touchscreen, the directory includes 3D maps that provide customers with an accurate representation of their location in the mall.
Shoppers interacting with the directory can browse through maps, mall events, services and store deals, and search for multiple store categories at once. After selecting a specific store or service, shoppers will receive information on a store’s location and the best route to get to it. Shoppers can then push the directions to their mobile phone and follow the recommended path to their selected store.
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The Connected Mall also includes a “today” button, highlighting daily events and deals throughout the mall, as well as a handicap feature that allows shoppers to shift the orientation of the map and menu to enable a more accessible experience.
“Simon and the Retail Innovation Division of eBay Inc. have been working on an exclusive basis in the mall space to enhance the shopping experience and provide retailers with a new and compelling way to engage shoppers,” said Mikael Thygesen, CMO at Simon. “We’re excited about our ‘Connected Mall’ initiative with eBay. It’s a great example of leveraging technology in a useful, relevant way in the mall environment, and we look forward to continuing to work with eBay on future initiatives.”
