Ted Baker introduces communicating mannequins to Westfield store
Ted Baker is introducing new 24/7 beacon technology to its Westfield White City store that enables customers to communicate with in-store mannequins via their smartphones as the creator predicts the technology can become commonplace within UK retailers.
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Customers who download the free Iconeme app (for Android and iOS) will receive a push notification when in a 50m range of a Ted Baker’ bluetooth enabled mannequin.
The mannequin’s message will give out details about the relevant clothes and accessories on display, while also providing the option to purchase the items directly from Ted Baker’s retail website and check on in-store stock levels.
“We strive to ensure that the customer shopping experience is as seamless and engaging as possible when it comes to in-store technology,” said Scott Taylor, CRM manager at Ted Baker.
The high street fashion retailer says it plans to roll-out the mannequin technology across its estate later on in the year.
Long seen as a convention within dodgy horror movies, talking mannequins can become ‘game-changing’ for British retailers, according to Iconeme.
“This type of technology is truly game-changing, as for the first time it allows brands to communicate directly with shoppers while they browse, bridging the gap between off and online retail,” said Jonathan Berlin, CEO of Iconeme, who says it is close to launching the technology in several additional high profile retailers in the UK and U.S.
Iconeme has already rolled out the beacon enabled mannequins to fashion retailers including House of Fraser and Oasis, and Berlin says they can become ‘commonplace’ on the high street.