Member Article

Blue chip brands eye Northumberland firm’s ‘game-changer’ in retail tech

Retail technology created by Northumberland design agency Enspire is quickly gaining the attention of a number of leading brands as it rolls out in UK stores.

Landing a deal with toy maker Leapfrog, Enspire is installing its ‘personal shopper’ system into 62 Smyths Toy Stores across the country.

The firm’s ENPOS system incorporates a digital display unit which enables customers to look for and find out more about particular product ranges, such as Leapfrog’s educational toys.

Data is recorded and also available via a live feed, to help shape future product development and gauge demand for existing and new items.

Following its success with Leapfrog, Enspire is now in talks with a number of other blue chip brands – including Halfords and technology firm TomTom - with a view to rolling the system out further.

Steve Wheaton, Enspire MD, said: “The system has been hugely beneficial to Leapfrog in helping it to identify gaps in its product range and plan for the future, by analysing real customer data from multiple regions.

“We expect to take the system into many more stores this year, as other retailers and product makers realise how invaluable its customer insights are.

“Digital display units in shops usually do little more than allow customers to search for products. By recording and interrogating customer data, our system could revolutionise how in-store technology is used. We are also working on applying it to other sectors, including healthcare.”

Stockfield-based Enspire’s development of ENPOS was backed with a grant from the Designing Better Business programme delivered by RTC North, which helps to commercialise new products and services.

RTC director Jamie Ollivere said: “Enspire’s technology has vast potential and could be a game-changer in retail and, perhaps, other industries going forward.

“Brands are continually looking for ways to get closer to their customers and gain a deeper insight into their demands. The company has found an innovative way of doing this cost-effectively, in real-time. We look forward to monitoring its success in the future.”

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