Asics steps up instore tech drive

Asics-steps-up-instore-tech-driveGlobal sportswear brand Asics is aiming to get deeply personal with customers with a new interactive instore system which ultimately matches joggers with their perfect running shoe.
The Asics Product Advisor – developed by digital agency Amaze – uses a connected large wall-mounted screen and iPad, rich 4K video, depth and motion tracking cameras to attract and react to passing customers.
By answering a series of questions through the iPad, customers are gradually matched to their recommended shoe, in line with their personal preferences and current running habits.
The Product Advisor is a key feature in the firm’s overarching global strategy, ‘Mix Up Your Run’, which encourages customers to get more out of their running, by also presenting them with other suitable shoes from related categories.
It is just one of several digital experiences Asics has unveiled at its Hamburg store; others include Foot ID, which uses a Gait Cycle Analysis Video to establish a person’s running style and an advanced 3D Foot Mapping System to find the right shoe for the best possible running performance.
Asics education and training manager Martin Block said: “Incorporating more digital touchpoints within our retail stores is a key part of our strategy to create a better customer experience for all – whether they are in-store to browse or to buy.
“Retail technologies, which make bespoke selections about products, have become of increasing importance to the sports industry in recent years and the new Product Advisor now takes this personalisation to a wider community.
“Innovatively, the Advisor invites customers to engage, rather than waiting for them to initiate interaction and this means that, if even when browsing, they too are offered a highly personal experience. We’re incredibly proud of this latest launch and hope our customers enjoy and benefit from our latest digital offerings.”
Amaze chief strategy officer Rick Curtis added: “We know that retailers need to do more to keep customers interested while in store, and a large part of addressing this is to develop interactive and immersive tools which engage with those who would otherwise leave stores empty-handed.
“The idea of the Product Advisor is to not only offer customers this in-depth experience, but also to engage them with the brand on a one-to-one basis.”
Amaze has worked for the sports brand since December 2012, when it was appointed to drive online sales.

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