United Kingdom Phone no: 0844 824 3686
Head Office: 31 Chertsey Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4HD
Manchester: Digital World Centre, 1 Lowry Plaza, The Quays, Manchester M50 3UB
sign-up to our newsletter to receive our latest news and updates
whatever sector you operate in, our connected digital marketing solutions help you get closer to your customers
explore eagle eye AIR – our market-leading platform for driving customer acquisition, engagement and loyalty
discover the vision, the story and the people behind our rapidly-growing company
find out the latest on our business strategy, financial reports and investment information
take five minutes out to enjoy our fresh thinking on digital and mobile marketing and promotions
blog
Only 8% of retailers use beacons today according to Forrester Research. But this untapped technology has massive potential to drive meaningful engagement. So what are they and why should you care?
Beacons are palm-size gadgets that can send digital messages to smartphones through Bluetooth or via apps. At home in airports, restaurants, stadiums and resorts, digital beacons are an intelligent messaging technology.
1. Beacon usage is booming Apple launched its iBeacon in 2013, setting the groundwork for location-based marketing. There are currently 8.2 million active beacons worldwide, with this number expected to grow to 500 million by 2021 according to ABI Research. 2. Uses for mobile beacons are growing Sports fans and travellers are prime customers for beacon technology. Unlike in retail where customers may not take out their smartphones, stadiums, airports and smart cities are natural encouragers of mobile use. Meanwhile restaurants are adopting the technology to let consumers order ahead, to offer tailored coupons or to notify customers of special offers. Find out more about using location-based triggers to drive restaurant footfall. 3. Software is simplifying beacon technology Software used to manage and set up beacons is becoming more sophisticated, making the technology more cost effective. There’s no need to plaster walls and ceilings with the devices when you have a multichannel messaging platform from which to distribute notifications. Want to get started with location-based triggers? Discover Eagle Eye Engage for distributing digital messages across multiple channels without the need for beacon devices.
As continued pressure to keep pace with tech-enabled consumers builds, one of the key attributes of future winners will be those who successfully integrate digital into their businesses. The importance of shifting to digital to satisfy consumer expectations and win in the digital age has never been clearer.
It is essential to digitally transform a retail business and deliver a consistent customer experience instore and online. But what are the most fundamental strategic steps you should take?
Among the recent news about leading UK retailer John Lewis, you couldn’t miss the Partnership rebrand and bringing together of its ‘My John Lewis’ and ‘myWaitrose’ loyalty schemes. John Lewis chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield confirmed plans to trial a combined loyalty scheme across its two retail banners as part of its move towards an integrated corporate brand identity.