• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Calgary.Tech

Calgary.Tech

 
 
  • Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Interviews
  • Thought Leaders
  • Techtalent.ca
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Edmonton Startup Blends Digital Commerce Tools with Brick-and-Mortar Experience

May 11, 2023 by Knowlton Thomas Leave a Comment

Many Canadians remain in preference of in-store shopping experiences, data shows.

Innovators are tinkering with all manner of solution to a problem: the digital shopping experience has not realized its full potential. While e-commerce is popular and growing, the lacklustre process of much of online shopping remains a sizeable void.

One area that digital has struggled to compete with brick-and-mortar on is the seemingly simple touchpoint of personal interaction.

“The digital age demands that technology prioritize facilitating interaction to improve the customer experience,” Simong Long wrote for Fintech.ca last month. “Crafting memorable and meaningful shopping experiences that captivate customers and boost sales hinges on our ability to harness the power of interaction.”

Long, who serves as Head of Growth for e-commerce website builder Shoplazza, believes shopping “transcends mere transactions, encompassing emotional and social dimensions.”

“People shop for various reasons, including satisfying needs, fulfilling desires, rewarding themselves, impressing others, or simply having fun,” he wrote. “In essence, shopping is an interactive experience that engages multiple senses and cognitive processes.”

Such a sensorial experience has eluded digital-based retail.

But at the same time, physical retail has been slow to bring many of the positive aspects of digital shopping in-store. The mall is not what it once was—or what it could be, according to an Alberta-based startup.

Arii Guest Services is a company based in Edmonton offering innovative technology to improve the way shopping centres interact with their guests in the digital age.

The omnichannel digital platform allows guests to connect with their preferred channels, whether it be video, call, chat, audio, QR code, kiosk, messaging, or phone.

The Alberta firm’s suite of digital tools empowers businesses to anticipate guest needs, exceed expectations, and build lasting loyalty through analytics, interactions, and onboarding. Arii offers all-in-one software for various industries, such as retail, hospitality, residential, and office.

Corry van den Brink, who cofounded the company late last year, believes his startup offers a “groundbreaking digital communications platform.”

Picture a busy shopper at the mall searching for the perfect gift for her friend’s birthday, he says. With the clock ticking, she’s starting to feel overwhelmed. Here’s how Arii helps her through the centre, according to the CEO.

Arii’s platform supports in-person interactions across channels. In this case, the shopper can use live chat to get immediate assistance without losing time. On a smartphone, shoppers have a personal concierge at their fingertips. This includes instant access to store information and promotions, making the shopping experience more efficient.

Arii also creates personalized experiences; in the ever-evolving retail landscape, shopping centres need to adapt and innovate to meet the expectations of their customers.

“As a passionate advocate for the shopping centre industry, I’ve witnessed the challenges we’ve faced, from inflation and the pandemic to the rapid growth of e-commerce,” he stated recently. “Guest Experience departments have suffered, leaving customers wanting more. “That’s why I’m excited to share Arii—the future of [guest experience].”

According to van den Brink, “Arii has the power to revolutionize the shopping centre experience.”

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Arii Guest Services

About Knowlton Thomas

Knowlton Thomas is Editor-in-Chief of The Midway Advance and Senior Writer for Calgary.tech. Over more than a decade of journalism, he has penned thousands of articles and dozens of essays on technology, health, and culture across a variety of publications.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

 
 

Stay Connected

  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Community Partners

Bulletin Board

Plug and Play Alberta Expo to Showcase New Tech Solutions

Plug and Play Alberta will host its Spring 2025 … [Read More...] about Plug and Play Alberta Expo to Showcase New Tech Solutions

Energy Meets AI: Calgary Breakfast Gathers Leaders to Shape Alberta’s Digital Future

A select group of senior executives from Alberta’s … [Read More...] about Energy Meets AI: Calgary Breakfast Gathers Leaders to Shape Alberta’s Digital Future

Calgary Startups Lead Finalist Field at 2025 Alberta Cleantech Awards

Calgary’s cleantech community will be in the … [Read More...] about Calgary Startups Lead Finalist Field at 2025 Alberta Cleantech Awards

Foresight 50 Returns to Spotlight Top Cleantech Ventures in Calgary

Foresight Canada is now accepting applications for … [Read More...] about Foresight 50 Returns to Spotlight Top Cleantech Ventures in Calgary

Startup Scene Heats Up with Inventures 2025 Pre-Party at Platform

Alberta’s innovation community will get an early … [Read More...] about Startup Scene Heats Up with Inventures 2025 Pre-Party at Platform

Copyright © 2025 Incubate Ventures | Techtalent.ca · Techcouver.com · Decoder.ca · Fintech.ca · CleanEnergy.ca | Privacy