Chain’s 167 stores will be fitted out with free Wi-Fi so smartphone users can use the company’s app to help their shopping experience
Debenhams and O2 have teamed up to offer free Wi-Fi for all smartphone users in the chain’s 167 UK stores to enable customers to order items for home delivery and check sizes while in store.
The chain of department stores will promote the service and its app to customers as a way of bringing online and retail shopping together, its app will allow customers to check stock and, if something isn’t available in the correct size, scan the barcode to arrange home delivery.
Discount vouchers will also be available on the app as well as a store guide to help shoppers find goods more easily.
The introduction of free Wi-Fi comes following a trial run in three of its stores and the popularity of its app for online shopping – one million customers have downloaded it so far with 20% of the retailer’s online traffic now coming through mobile devices.
O2 Wi-Fi MD Gavin Franks said: “We are delighted to add Debenhams to our growing portfolio. Debenhams has realised the power of using in-store connectivity as a basis to bring innovative services to customers.
“This marks a continuation of our fresh thinking that has seen the rapid growth of O2 Wi-Fi.”
Debenhams director Simon Foster added: “We’re seeing the shape of shopping in the future emerging right before our eyes. With over one million customers already with our app on their phones, free Wi-Fi in stores has the potential to transform how people shop.”
