Retail franchise to install interactive digital experience in 100-plus stores

Retail franchise Apricot Lane is planning to feature an interactive customer experience at the 100-plus opened and planned stores across 36 U.S. states, the company announced.

New features will include interactive in-store kiosks along with traditional shopping carts for product search and purchase, live chat and a simpler online shopping experience. The new online layout will enable customers to click on the "Shop Now" tab via social media sites and email to find their local store.

"We worked hard to provide an e-commerce solution that builds the brand while providing our collective customers the best possible experience online," said co-founder Ken Petersen. "Through intuitive design, navigation, functionality and database management systems, we can offer our loyal Apricot Lane customers a solid and personalized online experience, while maintaining their relationship and connectivity with their local boutique.

"A deepening connection between a brand's online presence and individual locations can mean new opportunities. Stores have the option to create operational efficiencies and new revenue opportunities by investing in technology, such as in-store kiosks and tablets, to showcase their extended online product selections. Local Apricot Lane stores can opt to offer a custom kiosk to house an iPad for customers to easily access online merchandise in the participating stores. The online kiosks will provide current clientele the ability to search for exclusive online styles, request items be shipped directly to their home or to be picked up in-store. Our franchise is only as successful as our franchisees and our customers' loyalty, so this site had to be created with that in mind," Petersen said. "We created a system that allows everyone to win — most especially the customer."