As more consumers become the owners of smartphones, the need for internet access on the move becomes important. Many people have data plans bundled in their monthly deals but if you can get a free Wi-Fi signal it saves you using up your data. Now residents in the UK could soon get free Wi-Fi as they buy their Tesco groceries.
Chris Martin of the Inquirer is reporting in an article that the company is set to offer the service to its customers which will be a first for a British supermarket. The country’s biggest retailer is looking to take on consumers changing shopping habits, and give its trade in the country a boost.
Offering consumers free Wi-Fi may be a risky move in a way, as it will make it easier for customers to use various smartphone applications to compare prices with rival retailers. Tesco’s chief information officer Mike McNamara said though that customers are already using mobile technology to check supermarket prices.
The company is already experimenting with a Wi-Fi service in four of its stores, and if it proves to be successful will find its way to other stores across the country. McNamara said “my guess is it will go to all stores”. He added the service would be free, and much of the technology was already in place as the company already uses Wi-Fi inside its stores for its own operations.
Tesco would also be looking to expand the service to its operations outside of the UK. The company would become the biggest retailer in the UK to provide such as service, while in the US many large store groups already have a similar service. Tesco have 2,700 stores across the country and if rolled out will massively expand the number of free Wi-Fi hotspots.
Currently places such as McDonalds and Starbucks have access to free Wi-Fi for its customers, but it is thought retailers could be the next to jump on the bandwagon. Many consumers whether going for a coffee or staying at a hotel now expect to have access to free Wi-Fi for their laptops and smartphones.
This sort of service will please many consumers who access the internet in places not thought of years ago. As consumers we are more reliant on the internet for things such as online banking and shopping. Do wish there were more free Wi-Fi hotspots available?
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