Skype is launching free wi-fi across Britain in shops, restaurants and cafes with a view to driving consumers to buy in bricks and mortar stores. argues that the service is a call to action for retailersto use the digital channel to drive sales both online and in-store.
Today’s shopper is always on the go and as a result smartphones have become personal shopping lifelines.
Consumers look to their mobiles for the latest offers, newest products and use location-based services to find their nearest high street store.
The news that Skype is launching free wi-fi is a call to action for retailers to realise that online has an integral role to play on the high street – the channels should be working together, not competing against one another for sales.
For retailers looking to capitalise on this multi-channel environment, an affiliate campaign links online with bricks-and-mortar stores easily and innovatively.
Working with publishers such as style blogs, voucher sites and augmented reality apps, retailers can use a mobile campaign to direct shoppers to their stores. Going digital is the future of shopping and mobile is the perfect way to merge these marketing channels to drive sales.
By Mark Haviland
Managing Director
Rakuten LinkShare
http://www.linkshare.co.uk/
