Lowe's expands in-store smart home experience with start-up
Lowe's Cos. is expanding its partnership with Silicon Valley retail start-up b8ta.
Building on the success of a three-store pilot last fall, the home improvement giant is opening "Smart Home powered by b8ta" in-store shops in 70 Lowe's stores nationwide. Each shop features a curated selection of top-rated smart home products and offers shoppers onsite support from specially trained experts (known as "b8ta testers").
"Smart home products simplify life – but the technology can sometimes be confusing or intimidating," said Ruth Crowley, VP of customer experience design at Lowe's. "So, we developed Smart Home powered by b8ta to emulate a 'lab-like' atmosphere that empowers customers to make informed decisions."
Located near the front of the store, the b8ta in-store shops feature more than 60 smart home products, including security systems, thermostats, cameras, lighting and speakers, in an immersive format. Products are displayed out of the box to encourage hands-on play and enhance product knowledge.
In addition, iPads with product-related content and pricing details are located next to each device. Smartphones are also available for customers to interact with products and supporting apps, the same as they would use them at home.
"b8ta makes shopping for connected home products accessible and easy," said Phillip Raub, co-founder and chief brand officer of b8ta.
"Nationwide, consumers will have the opportunity to engage and demo a curated selection of connected products, with knowledgeable product experts on-hand to navigate consumers through their journey,"
Founded in 2015, b8ta operates freestanding stores in California (Palo Alto, Santa Monica, San Francisco and Corte Madera), Seattle, Austin, Houston and New York, with more in the works.
Building on the success of a three-store pilot last fall, the home improvement giant is opening "Smart Home powered by b8ta" in-store shops in 70 Lowe's stores nationwide. Each shop features a curated selection of top-rated smart home products and offers shoppers onsite support from specially trained experts (known as "b8ta testers").
"Smart home products simplify life – but the technology can sometimes be confusing or intimidating," said Ruth Crowley, VP of customer experience design at Lowe's. "So, we developed Smart Home powered by b8ta to emulate a 'lab-like' atmosphere that empowers customers to make informed decisions."
Located near the front of the store, the b8ta in-store shops feature more than 60 smart home products, including security systems, thermostats, cameras, lighting and speakers, in an immersive format. Products are displayed out of the box to encourage hands-on play and enhance product knowledge.
In addition, iPads with product-related content and pricing details are located next to each device. Smartphones are also available for customers to interact with products and supporting apps, the same as they would use them at home.
"b8ta makes shopping for connected home products accessible and easy," said Phillip Raub, co-founder and chief brand officer of b8ta.
"Nationwide, consumers will have the opportunity to engage and demo a curated selection of connected products, with knowledgeable product experts on-hand to navigate consumers through their journey,"
Founded in 2015, b8ta operates freestanding stores in California (Palo Alto, Santa Monica, San Francisco and Corte Madera), Seattle, Austin, Houston and New York, with more in the works.