Thorntons is launching a trial of SmartPod technology to allow customers to purchase from their online range while in-store. Developed in partnership with One iota, the online ordering kiosk trial is taking place across three stores in Sheffield Meadowhall, Fargate and Derby Westfield.

The project will focus on converting sales for items difficult to stock in-store, such as the retailer’s hampers range, which are currently a bestselling product online. All orders made through SmartPod will be delivered free of charge, and can be delivered directly to a loved one as a gift. It will be featured next to a selection of hampers, allowing customers to make their choice, and then order for delivery on the SmartPod via chip and PIN or choose one to take home there and then.

Geoff Kershaw, retail director at Thorntons, says: “We know that a significant proportion of our customers already shop us multi-channel and we’re hoping that these new SmartPods will make this even easier for them to do so. Many chocolate fans looking for the perfect gift aren’t aware of the fantastic range of hampers we sell online, so this trial will hopefully help us grow awareness of not only our extensive product range but also our overall online offering. We’re also really excited to be trialling this in Sheffield, where the company was born 102 years ago. It’s great to be taking this new technology back to where it all began.”

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