Case Studies

Prada

Transforming retail shopping

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To realize Prada’s vision for a new shopping experience, we were engaged in a unique collaboration to lead the development of the new Manhattan store – the first of its kind. Working in partnership with renowned architect Rem Koolhaas, AMO, and IDEO, our New York team was involved from early on to design, develop and integrate the systems that form the store’s technical backbone and the foundation for enhancing the customer experience.

Our priority in building the applications and interfaces for in-store devices was to enrich the customer visit and empower sales associates. A particular focus was the customer experience surrounding inventory inquiries. Conventionally, sales associates leave the customer to find out whether certain items are in stock. We helped develop a wireless Staff Device that is radio frequency-enabled (RFID) and that allows sales associates to check inventory real-time, maximizing the time they spend with customers. The device further supports the customer-associate relationship through its ability to activate flat screen monitors to display product images and runway video on demand. Dressing rooms are also RFID-enabled: a touch screen within provides details about the customer’s selections and information about related items. Customers can choose to save item information in their “profile.”

This partnership has delivered powerful tools for building customer relationships within an unparalleled shopping experience. Prada is now leveraging the knowledge gained from the Manhattan store to develop new applications regionally and internationally, to achieve more personalized service.

The new Manhattan store has received widespread attention including from Forbes, Business Week, Vanity Fair, The Associated Press, Executive Technology, CRN, Stores, iMarketing News, VAR Business and Entertainment Design.