Homebase’s ‘Create the Look’ and ‘Plant Finder’ in-store digital media solutions provided by Qmatic, the world leader and innovator in customer flow management (CFM) and underpinned by HintTech, a specialist in the development and integration of digital media software solutions, won ‘Best Use of In-Store Marketing Technology in Retail’ at the 2011 Retail Systems Awards. The entry showcased how Homebase’s vision to be the ‘First for Decorating’ became a reality through digital interactive touch screen solutions which is helping contribute to Homebase sales.
The Retail Systems Awards recognise excellence and innovation in the field of information technology within the UK retail sector. The primary criteria for this category focused on how retailers achieved innovation in relation to in-store marketing experience. Homebase, Qmatic and HintTech were awarded the title for the role digital media played in enhancing the customer experience.
In awarding the accolade to Homebase, Qmatic and HintTech, the judges commented, “Homebase with Qmatic and Hinttech impressed us with their cool and quirky way of driving footfall. They have turned the store into an interactive environment that is not only fun for the consumer, but a great innovation in in-store marketing technology too.”
Karen Moss, editor, Retail Systems, said, “This was a close fought category, but one entry clearly stood out and that was Homebase with Qmatic and HintTech. Their in-store marketing solution is just the kind of innovation that DIY shoppers have been waiting for. Many times I have bought a tin of paint, got it home, painted the walls and realised I hated it! With Homebase’s design centre touch screen, now others won’t make the same mistake.”
Jon Hamilton, Customer Service Development Manager for Homebase, said “Receiving this award demonstrates the value we are providing to our customers through an enhanced in-store experience. Our customers can trust us to provide consultancy that accounts for the actual room they are decorating. At Homebase, we will continue to push the technology boundaries with partners like Qmatic and HintTech to provide our customers significant value.”
“As customer acquisition and retention become essential to success, retailers need to realise the benefits of in-store marketing technology to enhance the customer experience,” said David Anahory, CEO, Qmatic UK. “For Homebase, we provided them with the solution required to put customer experience at the heart of their decorating operation. With the help of ‘Plant Finder’ and ‘Create the Look’, Homebase has a solution that can provide an extraordinary in-store experience to ensure that every new customer becomes a repeat customer.”
“Working with Qmatic, we were able to provide the software and technical system to provide Homebase an award-winning marketing technology in just three months,” said Derick Price, Sales Director at HintTech. “The value achieved from an extensive solution over a short period of time will be realised from Homebase every time a customer uses ‘Create the Look’ or ‘Plant Finder.”
For more information about Retail Systems Awards, including a full list of all the winners, visit http://www.retail-systems.com/awards/
About Homebase
Homebase is the UK’s largest home enhancement retailer and is recognised for choice, style and customer service. It has more than 340 large, out-of-town stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland. In the last financial year, Homebase sales were £1.6 billion and it employed some 19,000 people across the business.
Homebase sells over 38,000 products across its home enhancement ranges, and has a growing Internet offering at www.homebase.co.uk. Homebase serves over 65 million customers per year through its stores and offers customers the convenience of home delivery for bulky, high-value items.
Homebase was the first UK DIY retailer to achieve Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody certification and the first national DIY retailer to be recognised with a Government TrustMark Award, achieved for its kitchen installation service.
Homebase is part of Home Retail Group, the UK’s leading home and general merchandise retailer.
About Qmatic
Qmatic is the world leader and innovator in Customer Flow Management (CFM) solutions that are designed to increase sales and productivity while reducing costs for organisations in the retail, retail finance, public, healthcare and travel sectors. Its software, hardware and consultancy helps organisations such as HSBC, Barclays, DVLA, Homebase, Boots , Marks & Spencer, Post Office and UK Border Authority to value time within the physical customer experience and derive real-time management information (MI) that powers meaningful business decisions. This MI can drive important considerations such as in-store/branch/location skills-routing, store layout and design, employee training and job satisfaction, customer loyalty and retention, brand equity, opportunity sales, real-time feedback and problem resolution as well as efficiency and cost control. Qmatic’s services range from barriers, through to both independent and networked virtual and linear queue management systems, to mobile phone applications, kiosk systems and new media.
About HintTech
HintTech develops, implements and manages large-scale software applications based on Java™ and DotNet™ technology. The company was started in 1997 and works with innovative and proven technologies and methods including partners such as Microsoft, SDL and ADAM Software. HintTech currently employs 120+ people with branches in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, USA, Sweden and Serbia, and provides qualitative custom solutions for its clients including ING, HMV, KLM and HP. For more information www.hinttech.com.
A fluent German speaker, Silja started her career at SAP. She has since worked at tech PR agencies Grant Butler Coomber and OneChocolate Communications. Clients have included Amdocs, Audiocode, Clearswift, Intuit, Irisys, Mindjet, Netviewer and Pegasystems, Redwood Technologies to name but a few.
