Foresense Technologies out in the open air:

Strip Malls and CBD Shopping

OPEN-AIR RETAIL is a vastly different beast from enclosed shopping centers and malls.

They key difference is that openair retail is typically situated on busy pedestrian streets, especially in CBD zones.

While shopping centres often house food courts, movies theaters and children’s play areas to attract greater crowds, open air retail strips do not have these as designated areas.

While they may be nearby, they are not enclosed in the same building under the same roof.

While people who enter shopping centers almost always shop at several stores, open air malls are often used as access ways by pedestrians moving between surrounding areas such as train or subway station or their workplace.

The fundamental layout is different too.

Shops are typically in a row by the sidewalk in open air retail.

There usually are no retail kiosks (or RMU’s/retail merchandising units) in the middle of thoroughfares.

These differences present a series of challenges when it comes to holding customers extended patronage in the area.

The same is true for any valuable presence data collection.

While these challenges are tangible, they are not surmountable.

Foresense Technologies is making its mark around the world on shopping centre data collection with a purpose built platform for Shopping Centre Managers and Asset Directors.

Now, open-air retail stand to reap the same benefits, taking near vicinity behavioural data into the future.

Foresense facilitates the collection of presence data and the analysis of how people act – and interact – on-site in real world settings to provide real-time analytics of traffic inside and around any physical location.

At its core, the Foresense platform utilises proprietary AI to identify areas for improvement and guide commercially based decisions to increase operational KPIs and efficiencies with highly detailed, quantifiable behavioural data.

Foresense introduces an all- encompassing solution to monitor individual patrons in real-time and discover overarching trends.

In a similar way to how behavioural data is utilised online through careful analysis of aspects such as site navigation, page dwell time, session duration, and unique and return visitations Foresense collects data through an array of sensors that integrate with visitor smartphones.

With this approach, user privacy concerns are not an issue.

"Foresense introduces an all-encompassing solution to monitor individual patrons in real- time and discover overarching trends."

Unless in a VIP or Opt In mode, Foresense only sees the signals that smartphones emit; not passwords, emails, app data, GPS data or any other personal data that invades digital privacy; it sees only how smartphone owners navigate physical space.

As a complete journey mapping solution, individual visitor data such as total time in the area, and the breakdown of time spent at individual shops and types of shop – retail, newsagents, chemists, and hospitality for example – is collected.

This presents a total customer journey insight, delivering definitive traffic data and heat maps for each and every shopfront where tenant rent negotiations can take on a whole new dimension beyond floor space and square meterage.

With a direct line of communication via push notification technology exciting new opportunities for highly targeted finecast marketing are made possible.

Detailed individual profiles can be built to identify the habits of casual, frequent and infrequent visitors and offer incentivisation for return visits to the centre or to increase visitations for particular retailers.

In this way learn who simply uses the open-air mall as thoroughfare to work, for example, and give them reason to visit the nearby shops.

Offer those who have just visited retail stores a reason to eat in the area with a discount on food.

Conversely encourage those who have visited a restaurant or cafe to browse local stores.

And let them know of upcoming events or attractions in the vicinity to foster return visitations.

Foresense digital video sensors can be utilised in a new way for targeted messages based on visitor profile as they pass by, or are captive while seated or waiting at a nearby bus stop for example.

It can also increase the value of existing assets to advertisers; a new, personalised marketing avenue to reach visitors that compliments billboards and digital screens.

The technology can also complement existing security surveillance systems. The AI platform detects loitering and unauthorised entry and can deploy security staff in real- time as issues develop.

As we learn to live with COVID, Foresense can also complement existing digital tools to monitor and log visitors as they move across the entire centre to assist contact tracers and keep everyone safer. In this way it can also be used to monitor and control the number of people gathering in any given area to address crowd density regulations.

It can also identify those who have not recently received a negative COVID test result when required by current laws, or can send digital reminders to scan in at QR code points, taking responsibility out of the hands of attendants and staff.

The technology can even monitor for personal safety issues. For example, a person may have ceased movement in carpark areas, indicating illness, collapse or injury.

Foresense can increase efficiency and safety, decrease costs and increase revenue at low investment.

With complete customisation options available Foresense can be easily and quickly implemented into day-to-day operations of any open air retail space, making it more attractive to tenants and consumers alike.

When it comes to smarter retail data, Foresense makes the most sense.