Thorntons, the chocolate maker, has launched a trial of in-store kiosks in its retail outlets to allow customers to buy goods from its extended range. The range includes personalised products such as Alphabet Truffles, where customers can create bespoke messages, and Thorntons chocolate models range, where customers can have a name or message iced directly on to the chocolate. All orders made through the SmartPod kiosks will be delivered free of charge.
The move enables shoppers to buy items, such as Thorntons hampers range, which are difficult to stock in-store. Developed in partnership with retail technology provider One Iota, the online ordering kiosks are being trialled across three stores in Sheffield Meadowhall, Fargate and Derby Westfield. Thorntons’ retail director Geoff Kershaw said, “We know a significant proportion of our customers already shop us multi-channel and we’re hoping these new SmartPods will make this even easier for them to do so.”
