10 May 2013
Muscat: In a bid to make shopping easier for customers, provide hassle-free navigation of mall stores, receive offers and promotions and other messages, the Muscat Grand Mall (MGM) is cooperating with a location-based mobile technology company to launch 'Buzz', a unique social mobile product. It is a tech trend that is expected to create a buzz of its own.
At a launching of Buzz apps held yesterday at Muscat Grand Mall, Hassan Jaboub, general manager of Muscat Grand Mall (MGM), said, "Through push Wi-Fi installed across the mall, customers will be able to receive updates and special offers from outlets, and effortlessly locate stores they would like to visit. Through Buzz, retailers are also able to achieve additional consumer engagement and media options while gaining more exposure for their brands, making this the ideal technology for a retail destination as diverse and dynamic as Muscat Grand Mall."
Introduced for the first time in Oman, this buzz service offered by ING Webtech, an India-based specialised digital solution firm, has already been tested and proven with retail consumers in the newest malls in India, America and Singapore.
Says Satyabrata Acharya, ceo of ING-webtech, "Buzz, which was first showcased during Comex 2013, categorises stores into shopping, dining, entertainment, and guest services categories so that the mall visitors will have all the information they need to create a seamless retail experience at the touch of a button. Also, the most exciting capability of the apps is the chance for visitors to connect and share comments about the mall, whilst also keeping in touch with events that are happening."
He further said, "For the Muscat Grand Mall, with over 120 local and international outlets, Buzz will quickly become a meaningful way to connect with mall visitors, allowing them to improve brand visibility, offer location and time sensitive promotions and create opportunities for frequent and meaningful interaction with their customers."
Satyabrata Acharya adds, "This revolutionary new technology will also allow the mall to quickly respond to trends, finding out instantly what promotions and information appeal most to Muscat Grand Mall visitors, allowing the mall to weave customised information and special offers that appeal most to the shoppers."
As visitors enter the retail zones and connect to wifi connections across the mall, the Buzz apps instantly open to mall information, including exclusive offers and promotions, in shoppers' mobiles.
Buzz works on Blufi technology that delivers to consumers multiple engagements relevant to the location through WIFI and Bluetooth. BUZZ@mgm virtualises the entire mall and makes it available on a visitor's mobile handset. This platform plays the role of connecting exhibitors to visitors through a medium which is as direct as local mobile operators, but free for consumer to use.
Further, the dedicated Muscat Grand Mall page will allow customers to read weekly tips, post on the Muscat Grand Mall public forum, have access to customer services, participate in daily polls and quizzes, locate a store and, of course, have information about discounts and offers delivered the palm of their hands.
At a launching of Buzz apps held yesterday at Muscat Grand Mall, Hassan Jaboub, general manager of Muscat Grand Mall (MGM), said, "Through push Wi-Fi installed across the mall, customers will be able to receive updates and special offers from outlets, and effortlessly locate stores they would like to visit. Through Buzz, retailers are also able to achieve additional consumer engagement and media options while gaining more exposure for their brands, making this the ideal technology for a retail destination as diverse and dynamic as Muscat Grand Mall."
Introduced for the first time in Oman, this buzz service offered by ING Webtech, an India-based specialised digital solution firm, has already been tested and proven with retail consumers in the newest malls in India, America and Singapore.
Says Satyabrata Acharya, ceo of ING-webtech, "Buzz, which was first showcased during Comex 2013, categorises stores into shopping, dining, entertainment, and guest services categories so that the mall visitors will have all the information they need to create a seamless retail experience at the touch of a button. Also, the most exciting capability of the apps is the chance for visitors to connect and share comments about the mall, whilst also keeping in touch with events that are happening."
He further said, "For the Muscat Grand Mall, with over 120 local and international outlets, Buzz will quickly become a meaningful way to connect with mall visitors, allowing them to improve brand visibility, offer location and time sensitive promotions and create opportunities for frequent and meaningful interaction with their customers."
Satyabrata Acharya adds, "This revolutionary new technology will also allow the mall to quickly respond to trends, finding out instantly what promotions and information appeal most to Muscat Grand Mall visitors, allowing the mall to weave customised information and special offers that appeal most to the shoppers."
As visitors enter the retail zones and connect to wifi connections across the mall, the Buzz apps instantly open to mall information, including exclusive offers and promotions, in shoppers' mobiles.
Buzz works on Blufi technology that delivers to consumers multiple engagements relevant to the location through WIFI and Bluetooth. BUZZ@mgm virtualises the entire mall and makes it available on a visitor's mobile handset. This platform plays the role of connecting exhibitors to visitors through a medium which is as direct as local mobile operators, but free for consumer to use.
Further, the dedicated Muscat Grand Mall page will allow customers to read weekly tips, post on the Muscat Grand Mall public forum, have access to customer services, participate in daily polls and quizzes, locate a store and, of course, have information about discounts and offers delivered the palm of their hands.
© Times of Oman 2013
