intu Properties is to provide free phone chargers in all its branded shopping centres following a successful trial late last year.
The chargers are being installed by ChargeBox, the world’s leading secure mobile charging company, in the biggest roll-out of its kind in the UK.
The move is in response to the positive feedback from the trial at four centres –intu Bromley, intu Metrocentre, intu Merry Hill and intu Trafford Centre – which indicated that the service added to dwell time.
The nationwide roll-out to all 15 intu centres will provide the capacity to charge one million mobile phones a year.
Richard Gutsell, business development manager at ChargeBox, said: “Mobile phones are an integral part of modern life, from browsing the web during a shopping trip to maintaining contact with friends and family across a shopping centre.
“Industry research shows the use of mobile phones starts to fall off in the late afternoon as batteries run flat. The intu roll-out will ensure its customers can now remain connected for as long as they wish.”
It will also benefit occupiers, as customers carry on shopping or relax with a coffee while their phones are charging. Another advantage is that it will allow customers to continue to engage with retailers’ bricks-and-clicks strategies throughout their visit.
Roger Binks, customer experience director at intu, said the initiative is the latest addition to the shopping centre owner and manager’s customer experience programme.
This already includes a free click-and-collect service, free wi-fi, Collect+ and free apps at many of intu’s shopping destinations.
“And that means our centres are places full of compelling experiences where customers can enjoy whole days out to meet friends or spend time with the family,” Binks added.
