ACT partner NearSt praised in Forbes for being the retail technology that could save the high street
ACT partner NearSt praised in Forbes for being the retail technology that could save the high street
Posted on 23 Aug 2021
ACT
members can receive excellent benefits with NearSt, a powerful
platform that encouragers more shoppers through the doors of specialist
cycle shops.
NearSt was recently featured in Forbes for being an exciting new technology which could save bricks-and-mortar retail, with the article detailing information about a London-based trial.
Increasing footfall to London's biggest shopping streets
A world-first trial of the NearSt tech recently took place with the aim of driving more shoppers to some of London's best-known shopping streets in Mayfair and Belgravia. NearSt used Google Local Inventory Ads to promote real-time in-store inventory information from nearby shops including Creed, Pringle of Scotland and VICKISARGE to local shoppers. Not only is the shopping experience innovative for retailers, but it is deeply practical for shoppers, too.
The goal was to draw online shoppers into 15 fashion, jewellery and health and beauty physical retailers, and was mainly focussed on the iconic Elizabeth Street and Mount Street shopping streets.
As NearSt co-founder and CEO Nick Brackenbury explains, "We already knew that shoppers were going online to find products in their local stores, but we didn't realise just how impactful an entire street working together could be."
The technology worked effectively to intercept customer journeys which started online - and drive them in-store.
High street success
The trial was a success, with 36% of shoppers visiting the targetted streets arriving after seeing one of the Local Inventory Ads in Google.
The footfall also translated into cash: An estimated 815 shoppers were driven to the targeted streets, spending an estimated £165,000 between them.
With NearSt's technology proven to increase high street footfall, we could see this implemented to other shopping districts in the country sooner rather than later.
NearSt's Nick Brackenbury says that we can expect this technology to become the norm, "Within two to three years, having a live view of what's on a shop's shelves visible in places like Google, Facebook, Instagram and other major platforms will be a basic expectation from customers - much like having opening hours and telephone numbers is in Google Maps today."
How ACT members can benefit
NearSt is leading the way in driving online shoppers' back to
bricks and mortar retailers.
NearSt's mission is to get people back onto UK high streets by making shopping from real shops easier and faster than buying online. Their powerful platform drives in-store footfall by automatically connecting the products currently hidden on shop shelves to Google's local inventory search through a simple integration with a business's Point of Sale system.
This enables customers to quickly and easily find what they are looking for in-store, supporting local businesses and curtailing the flow of business to online retail giants.- Boost in-store footfall
- Better connectivity with your local community
- Instant setup: get your stock online in less than 10 minutes
- Automatic feed: Your shop's inventory displayed directly in Google search (no manual data entry required)
- Insight: see which of your products are most popular with local shoppers searching near your store
- Exclusive setup discount for ACT members (usually £299)
- No ongoing costs
- Free NearSt PLUS trial worth £100: run highly targeted Local Inventory Ads to shoppers searching nearby at the top of Google
Click the button below to find out more or email info@theact.org.uk.
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