One of the most impressive innovations on display at LeWeb was this one from PayPal, which brings the idea of ‘window-shopping’ into the 21st Century.
As John Lunn, Director of Platform and Integration at PayPal X explains in the video below, the system makes use of shop windows when shops are closed.
An interface is projected onto the window, which passers-by can interact with on their mobile phones. This allows them to browse the contents of the shop and buy items directly from their phone to have them delivered to their homes. This puts shops to use even when they’re closed, as well as just being damn cool.
PayPal has worked with UK startup Screenreach to produce this prototype, and it’s hoped that it will be up and running in a working form in London’s Oxford Street during the city’s Fashion Week. This is more evidence of PayPal acting like a giant startup.
This is hardly new....
Built this in 2001 when running the wireless practice at Logica Plc. Simply hooked up an IVR to a webserver in the background servicing a number of big screens with simple browsers.
Passing client is attracted to screen and dials number (unique to each screen), then simply uses dtmf tones from handset to navigate around the video screen behind the shop window. The system sent SMS's with links for subsequent follow up. Simple, clean and universal without the need for yet another app...
We trialled it with Ford to help them sell cars when the showroom was closed - particularly designed to attract more potential female buyers many of whom wanted to look at the cars without having to deal with the slime that passes for car salesmen.
Simon Cavill
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LikeSo, it's an e-commerce site. Apart from the benefit of making the mobile display larger, what is the purpose of the window system? You still need your mobile phone and you still need to look at that phone in order to going through the ordering process. Also, the deliveries won't be made next day. Not unless the order is made during courier-happy hours. All it's really doing is preventing the shopper from carrying on with their lives just for the pleasure of standing in front of a shop window whilst they access the internet via a mobile e-commerce site. I'd have thought a better use of the shop window at night would be something that offered real interaction with the window which can't be had anywhere else. It sounds more impressive than practical or useful. And admittedly, it does sound impressive.
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LikeDom Conlon Sure, there's an element of novelty here, but for the shops it's about grabbing your attention when you're passing them and helping stores make money even when they're closed.
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LikeMartin Bryant It looks too subtly placed for any attention to be grabbed. And stores already make money when they're closed. At least those with e-commerce sites do. Plus I'm not sure I'd want passers-by to see what I'm buying or looking at. Using the space to grab attention is perfect. That's what good shop windows already do. A big old reminder that you can shop online is what's needed. This just sounds like a solution to a problem which doesn't exist. If I'm passing a shop and think "I wish it was open so I could buy something" then a) I probably want to get that product right there and then or b) I'll just hop online and do the buying whilst I carry on my journey. I do like the tech but would think it could be better used to offer engagement.
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LikeConversation from Twitter
PRGauthier very interesting & powerful - virtual reality capabilities into mobile & local shopping experiences.
manask retailgeek thanks for the RT's guys on the paypal story - what did you think of it? do u know of anyone else with this stuff live?
NICKIMRIE retailgeek Havent seen any1 similar. Huge potential disruption for multi-channel retailing w\/ this tech. Grt 4 brand ads instore
headfirst_dom I've replied!
martinsfp Eek! I'll take a look :)
herbkim glad you like :)
mikeyparker Thanks Mikey - glad you liked the interactive shop window :-)
herbkim Thanks for the tweets Herb :-)
moragmclaren Thanks for the tweet Morag :-)
ThinkingDigital screenreach martinsfp wow wow wow!
RuthComerKD your ever changing profile pics are v good :-)
ThinkingDigital thank you very much : )
RuthComerKD Glad you liked the interactive shop window :-)