Supplementing Traditional Retail with Digital Experiences in Heart of New York’s New Shopping Hub
Kinetic Cafe has launched its Kinetic Commerce Platform, a SaaS-based solution which will work directly with retailers to integrate digital experiences into brick-and-mortar stores.
The Canadian company launched the platform this week alongside global footwear retailer Aldo at the opening of the Westfield World Trade Center in New York City.
“Today’s launch at Westfield World Trade Center is the culmination of countless hours of passion and creativity by everyone at Kinetic and Aldo. It highlights the power of Kinetic’s Retail Innovation Lab,” says Kinetic President and Chief Innovation Officer David Dougherty. “There is no better place on earth to showcase what we’ve created together.”
Westfield World Trade Centre is projected to become one of the world’s most visited retail destinations.
“We are proud to say the Westfield World Trade Center store will be among the most advanced Aldo stores in the world,” says Grégoire Baret, Senior Director of Omnichannel Experience at Aldo. “All of our teams have collaborated together to imagine, design and create a store that will transform and elevate the Aldo brand experience.”
Kinetic Cafe’s Retail Innovation Lab works with retailers to conceptualize, design, prototype, test and commercialize modern retail environments and experiences.
Customers at Aldo’s World Trade Center location will now be able to use their iPhones to unlock a series of experiences, such as checking in-store availability and requesting try-ons. The store also features iPads and “Endless Shelf” screens that allow customers to unlock these experiences together without the use of personal mobile devices.
“Throughout the co-creation process, our customers and associates were clear in their most important needs and desires,” says Baret. “We’re arming our customers with technology from Kinetic Cafe to take fast advantage of what has quickly moved from a trend to the dominant demand for a new, seamless, location-specific shopping experience powered by mobile.”
“Unifying the physical and digital retail experiences brings new life to stores,” says Dougherty. “The Aldo Connected Store at Westfield World Trade Center combines the tactility and immediacy of physical retail with the speed, intelligence and personalization of the online experience.”