Interactive Energy and Data Harvesting Technology in Global First For Retail
Posted by Ellandi on 11th May 2018
A pioneering Community Shopping
Centre is converting footsteps of visitors into rewards in a global first for
shopping centres. The Ellandi owned Mercury Shopping Centre nestled in the
heart of East London is embracing renewable energies and clean technology by
introducing an energy and data walkway at its entrance.
The progressive shift from ‘shopping
trip’ to ‘shopping experience’ is defining the new era of retail where
technology is key to this change.
The new entrance walkway will
convert the kinetic energy of up to 60,000 customers’ footsteps per day,
earning them ‘Smart Rewards’ points to spend in the centre whilst generating
off-grid electricity to power services. The six-square metre system, designed
by award-winning UK firm Pavegen, will display the off-grid energy on screens,
notify of new rewards while producing data on footfall.
The walkway is the latest in a
series of sustainability initiatives for The Mercury, which has already
installed solar panels, invested in the latest highly efficient heating systems
and will achieve zero waste to landfill in 2018. But unlike other ‘silent’
eco-friendly initiatives that the centre has invested in, customers will
physically experience the energy and technology and be rewarded via the Smart
Rewards app, in this positive awareness raising installation. The walkway will
be providing customers with information on how much off-grid electricity their
footsteps are generating via screens above the walkway. By checking on The
Mercury Smart Rewards app, customers will be able to convert this energy into
personal ‘Smart Rewards’ points for discounts and offers at the centre.
Spencer Hawken, Centre Manager, Mercury Mall: “The
exciting thing about the walkway is that it gives our customers a chance to
play their part in our sustainability story, simply by walking into the centre.
As
a community shopping centre, our loyal
customers choose to shop local and often - it fits around their daily
lives and offers them value for money and sociability; this is a great way for
customers to have a real social impact for every step they make in their
physical journey. The whole idea is that Sustainability should be fun and
engaging – this installation is a visual
place maker and when customers realise that their steps will be converted into
reward points that they can spend here in our shops, that’s a win-win for all
of us.”
The Mercury is an appropriate
location for this ground-breaking environmental technology. Romford, with over
6,000 new businesses a year is the UK’s start-up capital and the town is also
situated in Havering, London’s fastest growing hub for tech enterprises.
The shopping centre of the future
needs to offer extensive choice. It also needs to be technologically robust,
engaging and offer interactive experiences to captivate habitual shoppers. By
combining a new technology, enhancing customer experience, making use of big
data and maximising space, the Mercury can reap the rewards of a rapidly
changing landscape.