Leeds City Market is working with Leeds Beckett University throughout October trialing an innovative new click and collect android app for the award winning Kirkgate Market.
The Click and Collect app is unlike traditional online shopping websites as it offers a 3D experience to customers,allowing them to walk around the Market,clicking on three different stalls and selecting their products.It will capture some of the excitement of shopping in Leeds Kirkgate Market,such as it’s hustle and bustle and trade engagement.
A butcher,fishmonger and green grocer will be selling their products and coming together to fulfil the orders for customers to pick up at the Market collection point.
The team has recruited 100 members of the public to test the app.They have each been awarded £20,00 per shop using the app four times over four weeks and fill out a questionnaire after each shop.
The Feedback from the shoppers who were all selected after applying to take part on line will shape the app in the future.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive board member with responsibility for transport and economy, said:
“The new app will allow Kirkgate Market to provide a better retailing experience and allow the market to compete in the online marketplace.
“Although the app is only at the trial stage at the moment, it will be interesting to hear comments and feedback from the 100 shoppers to see how and why this app could enhance their shopping experience. We are keen to bring Kirkgate Market into the 21st century.”
Professor Cathy Barnes, principal investigator of the project and director of the centre for retail excellence at Leeds Beckett, commented:
“There are two main reasons why we created the app. One is that more people are now shopping online and convenience is becoming a big issue. If we’re not careful, markets and small independent traders will be left behind.
“The second is that a key driver for shoppers is that produce should be locally, and ethically, sourced, fresh, and available in flexible portion sizes. Kirkgate Market already offers all these things but it is not currently very convenient. With the new app we plan to change this.”
