Estonian start up 3D Wayfinder, a provider of 3D personal navigation solutions in large public buildings, has launched a mobile application for shoppers that provides maps of all of their favourite shopping centres and up to the minute details of onsite promotions direct to their smartphones. The benefits to retail site owners is that they can use this to connect with visitors and generate advertising revenue from tenants.

“21% of global smartphone users (or, 187 million consumers) bought a product using their smartphone in 2012 according GlobalWebIndex,” explains Taavi Juursalu CEO of 3DWayfinder. “So our solution is an obvious one for shoppers and retailers alike”.

The solution gathers all shopping centres into one database with 3D plans of each site. Users can then choose the desired centre from the list and see what they have to offer. For the shopping centre owners simple administration makes it very easy to change tenant information ensuring the maps are always up-to-date. Retailers can place text or micro or ads in real-time letting shoppers know about clearance sales or last minute bargains.

According to Gartner by 2015, more than 50% of all e-commerce transactions will come from some kind of mobile or tablet device, so any application that can keep customers connected to a physical retail location will be crucial to maintain the value of such a site with shoppers.

“The solution is a win-win for shoppers and site owners alike” commented Taavi Juursalu CEO of 3D Wayfinder “currently our shopping centre customers such as Viru, South Center, Farmandstredet and Jekta are all keenly evaluating this solution to enhance their current 3D kiosk based provision.”

A further benefit for shoppers and shopping centres alike is that there is no need to invest in kiosk hardware and visitors can access maps even if there’s no kiosk around.

Source:  http://c4commerce.com/3d-wayfinder-launches-mobile-solution-to-transform-retail-experience/