Ahead of what is sure to be a busy holiday shopping season, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, one of Toronto’s largest malls, today announced the imminent launch of a new messaging service it hopes will help make the Christmas rush less stressful for shoppers.
On November 2, Yorkdale will launch Kipsu, a backend platform that allows shoppers to chat with in-mall concierges without downloading an additional app. For example, by sending an SMS or Facebook Messenger message, those visiting the mall can ask for the fastest route from Yorkdale subway station to the mall’s notoriously busy Apple Store.
The portion of its website Yorkdale has dedicated to the service also mentions being able to ask for gift ideas and restaurant recommendations. Kipsu isn’t a separate app users install on their smartphones, instead operating more like a traditional browser plugin on a desktop, taking advantage of pre-existing platforms.
The west Toronto-based mall is one of the first shopping centres in North America to implement Kipsu.
To coincide with the launch, the shopping centre is also preparing to welcome several pop-up stores to its complex, including Toronto’s own Brika, which recently opened a pop-up on Queen West to great success.
Image courtesy of Oxford Properties.
[source]CNW[/source]
