British Land has announced that Meadowhall, Yorkshire’s leading retail destination, has become one of the world’s first shopping centres to offer virtual gift cards.
Shoppers at Meadowhall can now buy dedicated digital ‘V-Cards’ that are redeemable exclusively via tablet and mobile devices and are usable at over 250 of the centre’s retailers.
The announcement comes as Meadowhall revealed an increase in shoppers connecting to the in-centre Wi-Fi service. Over the past year, more than 44 per cent of visits to the mobile optimised website were made using tablet and mobile devices.
Head of Retail for British Land, Charles Maudsley, said: “We recognise that digital is an essential and growing part of not just experiential retail destinations but every shopping experience. This is one of a number of new initiatives we are introducing across our £10.2 billion retail portfolio.
“Meadowhall’s customers will be able to remotely purchase cards and pay for products at a wide range of retailers using their mobile devices. By harnessing wireless gift card technology, Meadowhall will continue to deliver an exciting shopping experience, combining innovation with creativity to meet consumer expectations.”
As part of the Meadowhall V Card scheme, shoppers will have the opportunity to buy gift cards in a variety of designs for a number of different occasions at any time of the day or night, alleviating the need to carry traditional plastic cards which can be easily left at home or lost.
Customers who buy gift cards online will receive an email with a link to a protected online website offering a unique number and pin compatible with retailers’ current till services. The system will also offer customers real time updates on their gift card balance as well as the ability to send cards to other family and friends.
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