LOS ANGELES, Aug 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Westfield Group has set out to simplify the shopping experience in each of its 55 malls throughout the U.S. with the launch of the first-of-its-kind product searchfeature, now available via the free Westfield App. this exciting new feature incorporates the leading edge technology of Google Commerce Search, allowing shoppers to browse the merchandise offerings of retailers located in Westfield shopping centers.
The new product search capability makes shopping in a Westfield mall even easier as shoppers can now browse by keyword searches. With so many retailer and product choices available at each mall, Westfield has made looking for specific products from its brick and mortar locations simple and efficient. for example, a Westfield shopper looking for gold sandals would enter that term in the search bar of the free Westfield App and within seconds, the shopper would see a list of gold sandals available from the various retailers located in his/her preferred Westfield shopping center. Product results can then be sorted by relevance, retailer and price. Additionally, Westfield App users can choose to limit results to a particular store, view larger images of products, read detailed descriptions and compare prices. They can also add items to their shopping list within the Westfield App or call individual stores for more information and to check on local availability with one click.
“Google Commerce Search provides an amazing experience to Westfield shoppers because it allows them to find and discover products in the mall more easily than ever before,” says Nitin Mangtani, Group Product Manager for Google Commerce. “With this mobile application Westfield shoppers can expect fast and relevant product results, just as they expect from Google.com.”
The new product search feature builds on Westfield’s commitment to make shopping convenient, easy and fun, including existing Westfield App features which include a directory and map for all 55 centers in the United States, special retailer offers, movie show times, shopping hours and the ability to remember the location of a shopper’s parked car.
“Whether the shopper is looking for a very specific product or general back to School merchandise, the ability to search retailer products effortlessly is of real benefit,” says Gary Williams, Senior Executive Vice President, Management and Marketing, Westfield.
The Westfield App, which was developed by Simplikate, a leading developer of state-of-the-art mobile applications, is available for the iPhone, Android and Blackberry. Product search is available now for the iPhone and will be available for the Android and Blackberry mid-August.
Demo Video: westfield.com/uscentres/mobile/productsearch.html
Broadcast (HD): m3-creative.com/dropbox/westfield_app_v3-1_hires.zip
Download Westfield Mobile App:
for iPhone: itunes.apple.com/us/app/westfield-malls/id397494939
for Blackberry: appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/34001 *Product Search Feature Available Mid-August 2011
for Android: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.simplikate.westfield&feature *Product Search Feature Available Mid-August 2011
The Westfield Group (asx:WDC), is an internally managed, vertically integrated shopping center group undertaking ownership, development, design, construction, funds/asset management, property management, leasing and marketing activities and employing approximately 4,000 staff worldwide. The group has investment interests in 119 shopping centers in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, with a total value of assets under management in excess of A$58 billion. in the U.S., the Group has a portfolio of 55 shopping centers that are home to more than 9,000 specialty stores and compromise approximately 63 million square feet of leasable space in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Washington. for further information, please visit: westfield.com .
SOURCE: Westfield Group
for Westfield: The Lippin Group 323-965-1990 Alexandra Lippin or Cassy Salyer alippin@lippingroup.com or csalyer@lippingroup.com
Copyright Business Wire 2011