Shoe retailer launches transactional and optimised mobile and Facebook shop

Shoe retailer launches transactional and optimised mobile and Facebook shop

Wynsors World of Shoes has teamed up with One iota, a social and mobile commerce specialist, to launch a fully transactional and optimised mobile and Facebook shop.

After reporting a steep rise in mobile visitors to Wynsors.com, the retailer selected One iota to design, build and host its mobile shop. Powered by One iota’s MESH technology platform, the provider said both commerce solutions have been integrated with Wynsors’ existing e-commerce platform and launched within six weeks of the initial project launch.

Maximising mobile appeal

Wynsors’ mobile shop has been designed to work across all handset types. One iota also developed an advanced version of the mobile shop, which has been optimised for high-end smartphones, including Android and iPhone mobile devices, to deliver the best conversions and user experience possible.

Launching in April, the advanced site will have advanced ‘application-like’ features, such as a collapsible menu structure, easy picture navigation and interactive promotional pages.

Wynsors transactional Facebook store will also be launched shortly and has been developed on Facebook’s new business page structure, which was only launched at the end of February.

Commenting on the launch, Mark Chalmers, finance director of Wynsors, said: “It‘s important to ensure our customers can buy from us whenever and wherever they like – our mobile shop enables them to do just that.

“One iota was the natural choice for this project – the team’s customer-centric approach has meant that our expectations have been met every step of the way. Their ability to take us live within six weeks is testament to their expertise and the strength of their technology platform.”

E-commerce revenue extension

Damian Hanson, co-founder and chief executive of One iota, said: “Wynsors has shown great commitment to the evolving retail environment. The company understands that by providing new ways for its customers to make purchases, it will drive additional revenue and increase brand loyalty. Our platform makes it simple for retailers to extend their e-commerce sites in order to join up the social, mobile and local retail journey.”

ABI Research has predicted that mobile commerce is set to develop into a £75 billion market by 2015. And, while Facebook commerce is still in its infancy, management consultancy Booz & Co has predicted that by 2015, it will be a market worth £20bn. With brands such as JC Penney, French Connection and ASOS launching sites across Facebook (p11, Retail Technology magazine, Jan/Feb 2011), the potential for growth is vast.

Lancashire-based Wynsors is part of the E-Sutton Group of companies. It has a retail network spanning 45 stores and stocks both branded and in-house footwear.

One iota also said it will exhibiting at the Internet Retailing Expo 2011, 23-24 March, on Pod Eight in the M-Retailing Zone. The company will be offering a free mobile and Facebook commerce strategy session for retailers that want to understand how mobile and social shopping solutions can be integrated into existing strategy.