The retailers partnered with Global Bay to use its iPad kiosk service. The service lets companies synchronize and manage data and deliver its content to customers shopping in their store locations.

“It allows retailers to take an iPad and mount it into the store and consumers can interact and find information on products or subscribe to newsletters and things like that,” said Sandeep Bhanote, CEO of Global Bay, New York.

“Consumers are using mobile to interact with brands and there’s a gap when consumers do come in-store where they’re still dealing with old technology.

“This allows the experience to happen in-store,” he said. “Customers can look at products and find products.

City Sports operates 18 stores across the East Coast, including locations in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Atlanta.

Highland Heights, OH-based Things Remembered has more than 600 personalized gift stores in 49 states.

Mobile kiosks
Customers going to City Sports or Things Remembered can view rotating images of products, videos and commercials, listen to music and look at the retailer’s loyalty program, as well as enroll in it credit card program.

Additionally, customers can view current promotions and coupons.

City Sports and Things Remembered can use the Web-based console to configure and manage the entire service centrally.

“Users want information in a way that’s familiar to them,” Mr. Bhanote said. “Deploying an iPad in the store changes that and delivers an experience to users.

“IPads are also doubling down as store associate tools,” he said. “I can just use the kiosk as a sale tool – it’s not just a kiosk.

New concept
City Sports’ new concept store in Washington is using the product to route customers to product related information such as its Web site, product and informational videos and news, and local specific content such as running clubs.

Things Remembered is using the service in select stores to streamline a previously paper-based, in-store ordering process.

The company is offering customers an interactive gift and personalization process on the iPad kiosks.

“Mobile is on top of mind absolutely,” Mr. Bhanote said. “Mobility is a big deal.”

Final Take
Rimma Kats is editorial assistant on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York