Physical stores tap tech for better shopping experience

Retailers use mobile apps, image recognition so shoppers can hunt for items and avoid long queues

The SKII store at Shilla Duty Free in Changi Airport has kiosks where customers can scan their image of any SKII product and be directed to its location within the outlet. Pomelo, which opened its first branch in Singapore on June 12, is taking to te
Pomelo, which opened its first branch in Singapore on June 12, is taking to technology to address annoyances faced by consumers in brick-and-mortar shops. Its mobile app allows shoppers within a 1km radius of the shop to book a fitting room so they can continue browsing while waiting for their turn. ST PHOTO: ZHANG XUAN
The SKII store at Shilla Duty Free in Changi Airport has kiosks where customers can scan their image of any SKII product and be directed to its location within the outlet. Pomelo, which opened its first branch in Singapore on June 12, is taking to te
The SKII store at Shilla Duty Free in Changi Airport has kiosks where customers can scan their image of any SKII product and be directed to its location within the outlet. PHOTO: SKII
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Shoppers who dread waiting in line for a changing room or having to trawl through racks of clothes in a crowded store in Singapore to find what they want can take heart.

A number of stores have turned to technology to address their gripes. For example, Popular Bangkok-based fashion retailer Pomelo, which opened its first store in Singapore on June 12, has an online booking system on its mobile app for booking its 14 fitting rooms. As long as customers are 1km from the store, they can make a booking while waiting for their turn.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 18, 2019, with the headline Physical stores tap tech for better shopping experience. Subscribe