Japanese mobile phone operator, NTT DOCOMO, has begun a field trial of online-to-offline shop discovery and a check in platform which is known as ‘Shoppulatto’. The new platform is a six month program which began on February 23, 2013.
This new venture will be a platform for brick and mortar stores, allowing them to send promotional information to smartphones which have the dedicated app. However, the information is only sent to those people who are near the store, as per the phone’s local information.
The app allows users to selectively view information about sales, coupon offers and other such information from specific stores. When a user enters the store, an inaudible high frequency sound signal is transmitted through the store and activates the app’s check-in feature. The user then receives coupons or other promotions which have been made according to their age, gender and other traits.
The high frequency sound signal is transmitted by a simple device which is installed in the store. There are many such devices which can be installed in the store, like one at the entrance. All these devices could handle the check-in process, while the others can handle the various sales points. This encourages the customers to walk around and receive coupons and promotions.
