E328:🎙️HOW NOVEL CONNECTED DIGITAL RETAIL TECH CREATES UNFORGETTABLE PHYSICAL RETAIL EXPERIENCES

TRANSFORMING PHYSICAL RETAIL EXPERIENCES WITH storePlay

You're about to discover how storePlay is revolutionizing physical retail spaces with their unique suite of digital retail technologies. Founded by Dean Cherny, storePlay offers a transformative approach to in-store experiences through customized music, scent and digital solutions, all aimed at creating memorable retail moments. I recently had a chance to chat with Dean on the 'eCommerce Edge Podcast' and the insights were nothing short of incredible.

ELEVATING RETAIL WITH INTEGRATED SENSORY EXPERIENCES

storePlay stands out by offering a fully integrated sensory experience tailored for retail spaces. Their services include:

* Custom Music Playlists: Built around brand archetypes and store demographics, their playlists consider the time of day and even weather conditions to curate the perfect atmosphere.

* Custom Scents: Unique scents designed to align with the brand’s identity and evoke specific emotions and memories.

* Digital Signage Networks: Coordinated visual and audio experiences that make advertising more engaging and effective.

* Intelligent Queuing: Queue management through QR codes, freeing customers to wander while they wait, hence improving their overall in-store experience.

THE JOURNEY FROM MIX TAPES TO DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Dean Cherny's journey started back in 1989 when he was a marketing student and DJ. For his final assignment, he proposed an in-store music service to a retailer, which instantly led to his first client. Fast forward to today, storePlay has evolved with technological advances, moving from cassettes to CDs to the world’s first app for in-store music and now boasts 82,000 stores utilizing their services.

ADAPTING AND INNOVATING IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

COVID-19 forced many retail businesses, including storePlay, to pivot. When lockdowns hit, storePlay lost a significant portion of their revenue almost overnight. That's when they quickly developed 'Social Queue,'now branded as storePlay IQ. This app effectively digitized the butcher's ticket system, allowing customers to join queues and wander freely, significantly enhancing the customer experience.

SEAMLESS INTEGRATION FOR ENHANCED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES

One of the unique strengths of storePlay is its ability to offer multiple services under one cohesive platform. By providing music, scent, signage, and queuing as integrated solutions, storePlay allows retailers to manage and monitor all in-store experiences from a single admin interface. This streamlined approach not only enhances customer satisfaction but also delivers operational efficiencies.

A LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Dean is focused on consolidating these services into a seamless experience for retailers. By developing robust case studies and real-world applications, storePlay aims to provide tangible data that demonstrates how their integrated services can drive sales and customer loyalty.

Moreover, they are expanding globally, with significant interest from retailers in the US and the UK. Their move into new markets promises to bring innovative in-store experiences to a broader audience.

CONCLUSION

storePlay is truly transforming the retail landscape by making in-store experiences more engaging and enjoyable. With their comprehensive suite of services, they are not just enhancing customer satisfaction but also helping retailers boost sales and loyalty. If you’re a retailer looking to elevate your in-store experience, storePlay’s integrated sensory solutions offer a compelling path forward.

To learn more, check out the related THE ECOMMERCE EDGE Podcast episode below: