How smart technology is key to improving the passenger experience within airports
Worldwide airports are always looking at ways to improve the passenger experience, and it is clear that introducing smart technology is a way of achieving this. Travellers are becoming increasingly reliant on their devices to guide them through their journey. They are not only using their devices to pass the time but also for mobile ticket, live travel updates, mobile payments and mobility platforms such as Uber.
In a recent article by the Financial Times "Airports fight back against online turbulence", it reported that Singapore's Changi's Terminal 4 building is embracing smart technology to improve passenger experience but also help drive revenues.
Over the past 5 years, ChargeBox have been working with one of the world's busiest airports, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, to provide free mobile device charging to their passengers. With 49 stations installed and over 2.5 million charges delivered since installation, Paris Aéroport is heavily invested in improvising the passenger experience.
"Our customers appreciate the simplicity of using ChargeBox, thanks to the presence of the smart lock and the instructions which are universally intuitive." - Marketing & Services Manager, Paris Aéroport.
Research has shown that having a low battery increases anxiety levels, leaving travellers feeling dissatisfied. Edward Arkwright, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Groupe Aéroports de Paris stated that "The worse situation for retail is a worse passenger experience...if we improve customer experience, we will improve all economic models."
In the ChargeBox Return on Investment Study, it was shown that people who used ChargeBox spend on average £35 more than those who didn't and 92% of users felt positively/very positively towards the brand.
Providing charging services alongside smart technology is vital to alleviating the stress that comes with travelling, it enhances the overall customer experience and powers the travellers engagement.
Who said the high street is dead?
High street stores have always faced certain challenges, but the current retail climate has seen some of the best known brands disappear from the high street altogether. In this changing marketplace it is the innovative and forward thinking retailers that are continuing to thrive in these difficult times.
In today's digital world consumers are visiting stores less, and shopping online more. So what can the high street do to entice customers back through their doors? While there isn't just one solution, we at ChargeBox believe that providing a positive customer experience is key for retailers to differentiate themselves from their competition.
The Digital High Street 2020 Report released in 2015, states that "because consumers have compelling digital options, physical stores are making their locations interactive and engaging in order to attract footfall and justify costs of stores operations."
As the market leaders in public device charging, we've always known how impactful providing a charging service can be for retailers. We recently commissioned an independent study in conjunction with a major British department store to measure this impact on customer behaviour.
The findings not only demonstrated that shoppers who used a ChargeBox stayed nearly half an hour longer but also saw the average spend of a user increase by £35. Offering charging services clearly enhances the customer experience, but also provides a measurable ROI for the retailer.
Smart retailers are realising that it's no longer just about the products they offer, but more importantly it's about the entire shopping experience. These additional services are the key to retaining their loyal customers, and gaining new ones.
"At Fenwick we are focused on providing outstanding customer experience and a great in-store experience. Providing free charging via our ChargeBoxes is one way we deliver this."
Whilst figures indicate a decline in the retail sector, having a physical store presence is still vital for large retail brands and it's clear that retailers must adapt and evolve in order to thrive. Providing a positive in-store customer experience in this fast moving digital age will drive footfall, brand loyalty and ensure the survival of the high street.
Improving the passenger experience with ChargeBox
Technology is becoming a necessary part of our transport experiences. The smart phone allows passengers to check train times, purchase and store tickets and continue to engage on social media.
Providing a mobile phone charging infrastructure is a necessity when expecting customers to use their devices for the above. We know that just providing power sockets is no longer enough.
"We have worked with ChargeBox for a number of years now and have always been impressed by their service and support. The products are very popular with our customers and look great in our environment. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to other businesses."
Edinburgh Bus Station
Over the years, ChargeBox have worked with multiple clients within the travel sector but back in August last year we installed 4 of our Charging Tables to a major British Train Station. Since installation the charging solutions have provided over 235,000 charges to their passengers.
With travel hubs continuing to find new ways to innovate and enhance the passenger experience, it is becoming more apparent than ever that offering free charging will improve the overall passenger experience within the station.
How can ChargeBox improve your in-store customer experience?
The in-store customer experience is vital to sustaining a strong presence on the high street and retailers are always looking at ways to improve this.
As online sales continue to grow, attracting visitors back to the high street stores is a constant priority for the retail sector and having charging solutions is a way of changing their behaviours.
In John Lewis' 2017 retail report, they talk about "shopping journeys [being] a mix [of] online and physical experiences" and how "customer service remains the glue that holds the entire experience together."
ChargeBox has 12 years experience in offering public charging and we understand the importance of providing a charging service to consumers in todays digitally driven world.
Over the years we've built some fantastic relationships with leading retailers such as John Lewis, TKMaxx and H&M. Year on year they continue to see the benefit of having an in-store charging service.
"At John Lewis we've always been passionate about providing our customers with the very best service, and offering free charging in our shops is one of our ways of enhancing customer experience."
Receiving positive feedback from our clients is always great, but we wanted to prove that what was being said was true.
Back in August 2017, ChargeBox commissioned an independent study to measure the benefits gained from free charging. The results were outstanding!
We found that having charging services not only increased dwell time, but also had a positive impact on basket size, spend, footfall and customer satisfaction.
"At Fenwick we are focused on providing outstanding customer service and a great in-store shopping experience...A charged battery enables them to stay connected with loved ones and allows them to enjoy an omni-channel shopping experience."
ChargeBox are aware that each retailer have their own objectives and bespoke in-store aesthetics, so we have designed a range of solutions, both lockable and open, that fit any requirement or environment.
With our wealth of knowledge and expertise, ChargeBox make sure that we can provide a solution to match whatever brief is provided by our clients, with customer experience being at the forefront of our minds.
ChargeBox Return on Investment study (August 2017) – Ink Research Limited
ChargeBox commissioned an independent study in conjunction with a leading British department store to measure the benefits gained from free charging.
What effect does free charging in a retail environment have on customer behaviour?
- Does it make customers dwell longer?
- Do they spend more?
- Does it increase footfall?
- Does it improve the customer experience?
- Does it positively impact customer satisfaction?
These are the many questions that we have been asked by retailers since we launched our first free charging stations in Westfield Stratford back in 2012. Of course, at ChargeBox, we have always believed that the answer is Yes to all of these questions. However, we were finding that more often than not providing amazing usage statistics alone were not enough to convince clients that the tangible and intangible benefits of offering a free charging service outweighed the associated costs. After all, how do you put a value on customer experience?
Ink Research Limited spent 3 days in-store and during this time they interviewed 214 shoppers of which 81 were ChargeBox users and 133 were non-users. Not only did the results confirm our beliefs, but they exceeded our expectations.
For a copy of the highlights of the ROI Report click here or for a full copy of the Ink Research report contact a member of the Sales Team on the below information.
+44 (0)20 3588 1060
Introducing the world’s first fast-charge public charging solutions (September 2017)
ChargeBox are pleased to announce that all of our family of products are now available to order with fast-charging support.
What does this mean? With the introduction of the USB 3.1 Power Delivery specification to our technology, our open solutions can deliver 25-30% charge in the space of 10-15 minutes, whilst our locker solutions can deliver 50-70% charge in around 30 minutes to those devices that support fast-charging. Apple's latest devices, including iPhone 8, iPhone X (as well as newer iPads) and many other Android devices are capable of receiving fast-charge based on agreed industry standards.
We believe the launch of fast-charging will significantly change the landscape for public charging solutions, and once again ChargeBox are at the forefront of public charging technology, giving our users and clients the very best charging experience.
To read the full press release, click here
Providing customer satisfaction in the rail network (August 2017)
In August 2017, ChargeBox installed our latest solution as part of a device charging trial with Transport Systems Catapult, Network Rail and the Department for Transport
It is increasingly common for train operating companies to enhance their mobile customer journey with the development of new apps and e-ticketing, all being enabled and supported by wifi connectivity in the trains and stations. Unfortunately, increased phone usage leaves more and more passengers with very little battery, increased anxiety and until now, no method of recharging.
ChargeBox have combined the new locker-less solution, The Qube, with a custom built table to provide charging in four zones throughout Birmingham New Street Station. Whether passing through or catching a train, users can now grab a quick boost!
For more information on the trial, contact a member of our team at sales@ChargeBox.com or find the official press release from Transport Systems Catapult, click here
New product launch – The Qube
May 2017 see's the launch of our exciting new non-lockable, table top charging solution, The Qube.
The key electronics from our lockable solutions have been shrunk into the smallest package possible, while bringing all of the benefits of the Chargebox managed charging service to enable charge-while-you-use.
The Qube delivers optimised charging, up to iPad level, via our Sugru-enhanced cables for to 8 devices simultaneously. Forget slow charging, or bringing your own cables, just plug in, charge and use.
The development of a non-locking solution has been in response to strong demand from our events clients to serve the additional need for a table top solution to compliment the extensive locker fleet that is deployed to hundreds of events across the country each year.
Our first 70 Qubes have been manufactured entirely in London using the highest quality materials, and we think you’ll agree, the design is stunning, a perfect addition to any conference room, reception space or event.
If you are interested in finding out more information on The Qube, please click here.
West London Business Awards 2017
ChargeBox win 'Best Technology Business of the Year' and 'Manufacturing and Engineering Business of the Year'
We are delighted to announce our 'double win' at the prestigious 2017 West London Business Awards, held at Wembley Stadium on 2nd February. Hosted by Konnie Huq, and with over 350 guests in attendance, the awards ceremony showcased business excellence in West London, with awards given across a number of categories. We are thrilled to have won the Best Technology Business of the Year, and Best Manufacturing and Engineering Business of the Year. These accolades represent 12 years of head work in growing and developing ChargeBox into the international business that it is today. Two fabulous trophies that we can add to our growing collection!
ChargeBox successfully raise £500K through Crowdcube
Raised equity will now fund expansion for the international leader in mobile charging technology.
London, 5th February 2016 - ChargeBox, the world’s leading provider of secure mobile charging technology, became one of the latest funded companies of 2015 on Crowdcube, the leading equity crowdfunding platform, reaching their £500K target on 24th December and joining the “funded club”. Overwhelmed by the response from professional and private investors, ChargeBox is very well positioned to deliver on their mission of bringing free charging everywhere. With a strong international component to the investment, the platform for worldwide growth is also further enhanced.
ChargeBox first priority for investment is staff, with significant expansion in the Sales, Engineering/Operations and Technology teams. Rob Scali and Sarah Dyer have recently joined as Chief Financial Officer and UK Operations Manger respecitvely. Rob joined after a longer career with technology solution provided Schlumberger, which has given him a worldwide experience of business operations and finance. Sarah joined from the ATM industry where she successfully grew a fleet from around 400 units to over 8,000 - an increase of 20 times - which she is now looking to repeat at ChargeBox. Additional team members were also welcomed in Sales and Engineering/Operations at the start of January.
ChargeBox will also use the investment raised to step up their marketing and Research and Development activities. ChargeBox is already the world’s leading supplier of free secure public charging services - from being the first to deliver such a service back in 2006, to being the first to charge more than 5 million devices a year. The company has built over 2,000 units, and exported more than 1,000 of those to over 33 countries worldwide. ChargeBox units are now installed in shopping centres, airports, universities and conference centres all around the world, with new markets and territories constantly being developed.
All units are built using ChargeBox Smart Lock technology - providing the very best levels of security which PIN-based and card-based solutions cannot match. In 2013 ChargeBox introduced their second generation Smart Lock system which is now patented. In November 2015 they became the first company to deliver a service for USB Type-C devices at Sephora Flash, the first connected store launched by French beauty retailer Sephora in Paris.
Ian Hobson, CEO said: “It’s been a tremendous journey, crowdfunding has enabled us to raise the funds we need to grow our business and deliver on our mission of bringing free charging everywhere. Our team have risen to the occasion and we could not have achieved this without their efforts. I’m delighted that many of our existing investors have stepped up, and to welcome 160 new investors who have backed our vision. I’m also delighted with the potential from many of our new investors to help us grow our business - especially in key international markets. We are excited to be expanding our business for the benefit of the UK economy and the benefit of every smartphone user who needs our services.”
Having reached their crowdfunding target, the first action of ChargeBox will be to install one of their mobile charging stations at the Birmingham Children Hospital, to provide free and easy to use charging to young patients and their visiting families.
To download the Press Release, click here.