NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- To better
accommodate more than three million customers and 115,000
associates each week across 780 store locations, Ahold USA's retail divisions, Stop & Shop New
England, Stop & Shop New York Metro, Giant Landover, and Giant
Carlisle, embarked on a technology overhaul in collaboration with
Verizon Enterprise Solutions to create a 'smarter store' for
today's always-connected consumer. With consumers increasingly
relying on smartphones and public Wi-Fi when shopping, retailers
are recognizing the imperative to offer strong and reliable
networks for delivering the digitally rich in-store experience that
is now an expectation.
"Our divisions are focused on the needs of their customers and
improving the overall customer experience," said Paul Scorza, chief information officer for Ahold
USA. "Verizon Enterprise Solutions has helped them deliver on
their 'better place to shop' mission as we were able to bring Wi-Fi
to all 780 division stores while increasing network bandwidth that
moves data quickly."
Wi-Fi connectivity throughout their stores has been instrumental
for the Ahold USA divisions to
tailor offers and promotions to subscribers of their app and SCAN
IT! Mobile feature, which allows customers to use smartphones to
scan items for self-serve checkout. Additionally, Ahold
USA division associates can rely
on strong network connectivity to rapidly and securely transmit
data related to everything from inventory needs to medical
prescriptions and point of sale transactions.
"With this improved store network, we're making it easier for
our division customers to smoothly access other technology options
like SCAN IT! Mobile," added Scorza. "With a strong, reliable
network, store associates are in a great position to succeed;
whether helping a customer with a price, ordering an item, or
finding a product, associates can get the job done faster and
easier."
Underscoring the growing popularity of the Wi-Fi feature, in
December 2016 alone Ahold
USA's divisions saw an overall 23
percent spike in the number of users over the previous month.
On top of improving the customer experience, the technology
upgrade includes operational enhancements across all Ahold
USA division stores. All locations
are now equipped with Verizon's business-grade voice-over-IP (VoIP)
phone solution which streamlines network management and cost
efficiencies while extending the capabilities of the company's
existing phone system. Further, the addition of Verizon's industry
leading wireless network capabilities in each location will provide
backup connectivity to help maintain business continuity in the
event of outages which can be harmful to business and a company's
brand.
"Ahold USA's businesses are
reinventing the retail experience for today and the future, and we
are proud to be partnering with them," said Michele Dupré, group
vice president of retail, distribution and hospitality with Verizon
Enterprise Solutions. "We've built our business on helping
retailers, and organizations across all industries, embrace
innovative technologies that deliver efficiencies and create new
opportunities. Never before has technology transformation been so
important for attracting a consumer population that has comfortably
adapted to a digital world."
Editor's note: The following data points help illustrate
the complexity of Ahold USA's
divisions' digital transformation initiative. Transforming 780
division locations into 'smarter stores' required the installation
of more than 14,000 wireless access points; 1,500 network routers;
and, 850 network switches. In addition, more than 500 miles of
cable were run during the project; equipment and wireless service
was upgraded across 32 corporate locations; and, new phone systems
were installed in 100 stores. Finally, a total of 9,000 site visits
were completed for equipment installations, testing and production
activation.
About Ahold USA
Ahold USA is a proud company of
Ahold Delhaize, one of the world's largest food retail groups, a
leader in supermarkets and e-commerce, and a company at the
forefront of sustainable retailing. Ahold USA supports four regional Divisions – Stop
& Shop New England, Stop & Shop New York Metro, Giant
Landover, and Giant Carlisle – that together operate approximately
780 supermarkets with 115,000 associates in 14 states and the
District of Columbia along with
Peapod, the nation's leading e-commerce grocery shopping/delivery
service. For more information, visit
www.aholddelhaize.com.
About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), headquartered in
New York City, has a diverse
workforce of 162,000 and generated nearly $132 billion in 2015 revenues. Verizon operates
America's most reliable wireless network, with 113.7 million retail
connections nationwide. The company also provides communications
and entertainment services over mobile broadband and the nation's
premier all-fiber network, and delivers integrated business
solutions to customers worldwide.
Verizon's Online News Center: News releases, feature stories,
executive biographies and media contacts are available at Verizon's
online News Center at www.verizon.com/news/. News releases are also
available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit
www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.
Media contacts:
Maria
Montenegro for Verizon
571.926.4170
maria.montenegro@verizon.com
Chris Brand for Ahold
USA
717.240.1513
christopher.brand@retailbusinessservices.com
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SOURCE Verizon