WHSmith is the latest UK company to arrange free WiFi for its customers. The high-street newsagent, bookshop and stationery retailer has signed a deal with The Cloud to install free WiFi in 603 of its stores across the UK.
As well as providing customers who use the service with a WHSmith ‘landing page’ offering store information and special offers, the new WiFi service will also allow easier demonstrations of the Kobo eBook readers sold in-store.
Ian Sanders, group business development director at WHSmith, said “We are always looking for ways to enhance our customers’ shopping experience. The internet allows us to provide a lot of extra information that was previously unavailable in-store, for example in-depth book reviews, product lists or search functions. It’s about bringing the high street and online together in a way that works for our customers - free WiFi access does this. Our customers can use our services specifically or they can browse the wider internet. Ultimately they get an enhanced shopping experience and that benefits everyone.”
Other organisations offering WiFi from The Cloud include PizzaExpress, Caffè Nero, Eat, Greggs, Pret, Wagamama, First Great Western and Network Rail stations.
Recent research showed that 60% of consumers use the mobile internet whilst shopping, with 19% comparing prices and checking product reviews while in shops.