MANILA, Philippines–No, you did not enter the wrong store. This is indeed the Smart Store at Rockwell in Makati. And yes, it looks and feels like a cafe.
See, Smart recently underwent store redesigning. But instead of going for a more ultra-modern aesthetic, it opted to convert its store into a cafe-style hub so that subscribers may enjoy the Smart experience in comfort.
The Smart experience
Inside the renovated store, customers are treated to cozy waiting areas.
Transaction desks were also made casual so subscribers can converse with Smart representatives at ease. And to provide everyone an actual experience of the signature applications available from Smart, various lifestyle nooks are placed inside the Smart Store.
The Reading nook
The reading nook features Buqo, which is an app that’s perfect for bookworms and magazine readers. It serves as a digital bookstore and newsstand, and it has a built-in reader which makes online reading of books and magazines easier for users.
Buqo is a virtual haven for book and magazine users. Visit https://smart.com.ph/pages/buqo for more details on this application.
GameX nook
Gamers are provided their own corner in the Smart Store with the GameX nook. GameX is an online game portal where GameX ePINs, and Android, Facebook, and Java games converge. It’s of course powered by Smart Communications Inc.
Check out available games at https://epins.gamex.ph/.
Music nook
The Smart Store also made room for good music through the music nook, which features the Spinnr and Deezer apps.
Spinnr and Deezer are online music gateways where users may stream their favorite songs. Each offer over a million songs, and both can be installed in smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers. To learn more about Spinnr and Deezer, visit https://www.spinnr.ph/ and https://www.deezer.com/.
The Smart Store even has a music stage wherein store-goers can occasionally catch live music performances.
Digital Mall nook
There’s also the Digital Mall nook, which reminds Smart users that they can now easily shop online through Zalora and pay for their favorite brands of clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories via Smart e-Money Inc.’s (SMI) MePay.
Read more about how the SMI-Zalora tie-up works here: https://smart.com.ph/money/use/shopping
Smart gadgets and devices
Of course, the usual telecommunications store offerings are still present in the redesigned Smart center.
Actual mobile units are available for curious heads to tinker with and explore. And in case customers are on the lookout for other gadgets, the Smart Store also offers devices such as:
Digital cameras
Wearable gadgets
Gadget accessories and gaming devices
Store Innovations
What’s even cooler is that even before visitors can enter the Smart Store, they may already learn of the plans and gadget packages offered by Smart through a digital profiler that’s found by the entrance. This touch-screen device allows users to take a peek into the details of the Smart’s various devices and plans so that they’ll have a better idea which ones are best-suited for their needs.
There’s also the iQueue system in which customers may get their queue number or input their mobile number if they need to transact with a Smart representative. This allows them to be elsewhere in the mall while waiting for their turn. The system will just send them a text message a few minutes before their number will be called up—very convenient.
Just the tip of the iceberg
Smart Rockwell is just the first of many Smart stores to be converted into a lifestyle-centric establishment. According to Smart Rockwell’s store manager Tin Valerio, Smart plans to turn more of its stores into cafe-style hubs this 2015 so all its subscribers, from every part of the country, will experience the convenience this new setup offers.
(Photos by: Vida Lacano/INQUIRER.net)
ADVT
