BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - Jan 23, 2013) - Shoppers really, really hate waiting in lines. And for those venturing out to local stores during the holiday season, checkout lines can quickly become unbearable. That's why popular lifestyle brand Alex and Ani, LLC (www.alexandani.com) implemented a new mobile checkout technology before the holiday rush to better manage in-store traffic and improve the shopping experience for customers perusing its signature bangles and products. Co-developed with Mobiquity (www.mobiquityinc.com), the mobile point of sale (POS) application all but eliminated customer lines and helped increase sales by a whopping 318 percent over the previous holiday season, Mobiquity announced today.
Mobiquity, a professional services firm creating innovative mobile solutions and apps that drive business value, implemented a mobile point-of-sale application that would allow Alex and Ani to cultivate a stronger relationship with customers, translating into increased sales and loyalty. The application -- delivered via Daily Systems' iAPS™ sled for iPod touch -- offers mobile payment (mPayment) options that markedly improved the checkout process, benefiting both customers and Alex and Ani by shortening long holiday lines.
"Mobile checkouts have given the store environment a more intimate feel, and improved the flow of customer traffic while almost eliminating lines," said Alex and Ani chief technology officer, Joseph Lezon. "By integrating mobile into our VIOPSYS point of sale system, we were able to positively impact the in-store shopping experience during the busy shopping season, which is exactly the kind of positive energy we want customers to associate with the Alex and Ani brand."
With a mobile POS application, Alex and Ani increased points of checkout from four to 10 in most of its 28 stores across the U.S., and in one store, from five to 25. The resulting increase in sales opportunities allowed Alex and Ani to hire more staff to personally assist customers for the duration of their visit.
"Mobility is already transforming the payments space, and retailers are adapting quickly to reap the benefits and enhance the customer experience, whether it's in-store, on a device or online," said Lori Cohen, Mobiquity chief marketing officer. "Alex and Ani is a perfect example of a retailer not only realizing immediate and significant ROI on their investment, but also creating a more fulfilling shopping experience for their customers. It's also an example of how Mobiquity helps retailers leverage mobile for what's most important to them."
About Mobiquity
Mobiquity is a professional services firm working with the Global 2000 to create innovative mobile solutions and apps that drive business value. Clients benefit from the breadth and depth of the company's cross-disciplinary teams to unleash the power of mobile. Combining strategy, user-experience design, app development and backend integration, Mobiquity delivers across the entire mobile ecosystem, driving business innovation and competitive advantage. Since its inception, Mobiquity's client roster has surged to more than 70 companies (the majority hailing from the Fortune 500), including CVS, Boston Scientific, Fidelity Investments, MetLife, the New York Post, Putnam Investments and Weight Watchers International. Mobiquity was named by Network World as one of the hot technology startups to watch in 2012. SAP also selected Mobiquity as a partner to help customers develop and implement mobile strategies and applications that optimize investments in SAP enterprise solutions. To learn more, visit www.mobiquityinc.com.
About Alex and Ani
Alex and Ani, LLC. offers eco-friendly, positive energy products created by Designer Carolyn Rafaelian, Creative Director and Founder. Alex and Ani is synonymous with Made in America. Its World Headquarters are located in the Greater Providence, Rhode Island area, where its products are designed, manufactured, and assembled using recycled local materials. Carolyn believes that every individual has a positive message to share with the world and that, by incorporating powerful symbolism and design into each positive energy piece, Alex and Ani provides a vehicle for wearers to express their individuality. An Inc. 500 Company, Alex and Ani has retail stores in addition to retail partners both domestically and internationally. Please visit www.alexandani.com for more information.
About VIOPSYS aka VIsion OPerating SYStem
Founded by Giovanni Feroce and in private development since 2006, VIOPSYS is a cloud-based point of sale system that improves accuracy rates and increases efficiency. VIOPSYS maintains all relationships, inventory, employee and customer information. The technology provides robust, customizable up to the minute reporting on key business drivers. Automated inventory replenishment and low inventory alerts are just a few of the unique features available.
About Daily Systems
Founded by CEO and President René Oliver in 1999 and located in Paso Robles, CA, Daily Systems LLC offers its customers reliable, price competitive mobility solutions to help operate their businesses more efficiently. Daily Systems' unique and affordable DS247/iAPS device is certified by Apple and snaps on to the iPhone and iPod touch, converting them into complete Mobile POS terminals. For more information, please visit www.dailysystems.com.