There are only a few big retail chains that offer free and fast Wi-Fi service in their stores. Last week, Sam’s became the latest to join this club of retail leaders, alongside Sears and Best Buy. Beginning in November (just in time for the critical holiday buying season), Sam’s Club shoppers will be able to use a Wi-Fi-ready Internet TV to see video streaming, Facebook, Pandora or other applications on a large-screen TV to get an idea of how they would look at home, becoming the first retailer to offer Internet TV live demos for customers.
But demonstrating Internet-enabled TV isn’t the only benefit of offering in-store Wi-Fi. The introduction of the iPhone certainly raised the profile of mobile commerce and, with the growing popularity of Android-based phones, mobile shopping is about to take flight. Do we believe people will be making purchases on their phones this holiday season? Probably not, especially when it comes to big-ticket items like appliances, furniture and flat-screen TVs. But in-store Wi-Fi access enables shoppers to quickly and easily do research and conduct price comparisons – helping them move along their purchase path. And it’s because of this benefit that we believe we’ll start seeing a lot more big-ticket retailers offering Wi-Fi in the next 6 months.
Copyright 2010, Official Blog of Blueport Commerce
But demonstrating Internet-enabled TV isn’t the only benefit of offering in-store Wi-Fi. The introduction of the iPhone certainly raised the profile of mobile commerce and, with the growing popularity of Android-based phones, mobile shopping is about to take flight. Do we believe people will be making purchases on their phones this holiday season? Probably not, especially when it comes to big-ticket items like appliances, furniture and flat-screen TVs. But in-store Wi-Fi access enables shoppers to quickly and easily do research and conduct price comparisons – helping them move along their purchase path. And it’s because of this benefit that we believe we’ll start seeing a lot more big-ticket retailers offering Wi-Fi in the next 6 months.
Copyright 2010, Official Blog of Blueport Commerce
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