Simon expands reach of omnichannel stock search
Simon is building out its customer-facing search platform.
The shopping center operator is expanding the digital search platform it launched in June 2022, Simon Search, to its The Mills and Premium Outlets properties. Simon Search is now available at 187 Simon destinations.
Simon Search is a search platform designed to give shoppers the ability to research in-stock products available at participating retailers located within a Simon property. The solution is available to customers through the Simon app, property websites, and interactive directories located at Simon properties nationwide.
Currently, Simon Search enables shoppers to search their selected Simon center for what they're looking for across more than 50 brands at over 3,300 stores. According to Simon, in the last 30 days, Simon Search has been used for almost 2 million searches, driving traffic and sales to participating brands.
"Consumer interest in Simon Search has far exceeded our expectations. It's clear that this unique tool provides significant value for our shoppers, enhancing the overall shopping experience," said Mikael Thygesen, chief marketing officer, Simon. "It's also a great platform for participating brands to tap into shopper demand and drive incremental traffic and sales to their stores."
Retailers at Simon properties participating in Simon Search include Asics, Aerie, Dillard’s, J. Crew Factory, Macy’s. Nautica Factory Stores, PacSun, Untuckit, and Warby Parker. The initial June 2022 launch took place at 29 properties with retailers including Aéropostale, Anthropologie, Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap, J.Crew, J.C. Penney, and Old Navy.
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Simon Property Group is a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed- use destinations and an S&P 100 company. The company operates properties across North America, Europe and Asia.
Westland Mall enables inventory search
Simon initially rolled out Simon Search weeks after Florida-based Westland Mall rolled out a revamped website with a digital platform called “Shop Now” that enables its customers to search participating retailers in the mall for products.
Leveraging the Shop Now platform, customers can search for any product they are looking for from the center’s participating retailers, and the site will display all applicable items available from the directory of eligible Westland Mall retailers.
Westland Mall owner Centennial first launched Shop Now in late 2020 on several of its shopping center websites. At that time, the Shop Now platform, created in partnership with artificial intelligence (AI) and e-commerce technology company Adeptmind, was the first of its kind in the U.S. Since then, Centennial has added Shop Now capabilities to each of its shopping centers nationwide.