Robinsons Malls apps its shopping experience

MANILA, Philippines - Today, everybody has a few apps on their cell phones. If you want to know if you are getting enough exercise there is an app for that. There is the MMDA app to give updates on the traffic situation, or Waze to help you find the best and fastest route to where you are headed and many others,” said Arlene G. Magtibay, RLC SVP and general manager for commercial centers division at the launch of Robinsons Mall app, recently. “So, in this highly-interconnected world and digitized world it is just fitting that Robinsons Malls now has its own app. This will make shopping more convenient for our patrons.”

At the launch we were all encouraged to download the new app, which I easily did on my cell phone. It took me about a minute or so to get the app going — and once it was up and running I was pleasantly surprised to see how well it worked.

For starters, the app opens with a listing of the distance in kilometers to the nearest Robinsons Mall — from Robinsons Galleria (where the launch was held) to Robinsons Place General Santos City in South Cotabato.  The same app gives the user directions as to how to get to the Robinsons Mall of choice — whether by public transport or by car.

And, if you are one of those people who sometimes forget where you parked your car — there is a parking option in the app which allows one to scan a QR code (found at the entrance to the mall of each parking level) or to manually input the letter of the post nearest to where one’s car is parked so that you never have to panic again if you forget where you parked.

Neat!

“When the app was being prepared I asked the team to make sure that our Robinsons Mall app really gives our customers the ease and convenience of shopping,” added Magtibay. “We want our shoppers to enjoy Robinsons Malls right at the palm of their hand. They can breeze through the tenant directory, mall events and promotions, and even book a movie with a few taps on their smart devices. It’s easy living, made even better by technology. That’s how a stress-free lifestyle should be.”

If there is one thing that any app should be, it should be easy to use and easier to figure out how to. It is such a hassle to have to ask around about how to use an app. This is where the Robinsons Mall app is truly a pleasure. All you have to do is make a choice of what you want to do or see on the graphic interface of the app — and voila you are guided appropriately: from finding a favorite store, reminding yourself where you parked, and keeping abreast of announcements on the malls’ latest events and promos.

While in the mall, shoppers can easily locate a shop via GPS at Robinsons Place Manila, Galleria, Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Metro East and Forum Robinsons. All one has to do is input the store name; scan the nearest QR code on the pillar; and the mobile device will direct one to the destination — the fastest way possible.

Another cool plus is that special attention is made to help persons with disability by leading them to all the elevators and ramps.

A directory of all the shopping and dining destinations inside Robinsons Malls can also be found in the app, with details and descriptions about a particular store or outlet. There is even a “share” feature that allows app users to update their Facebook friends on their current destination. Need to go the nearest restroom? No problem! Just tap on the app and get directions to the nearest one.

Users can also purchase Robinsons Movieworld tickets  and snacks online. Just choose the movie you want to watch and a preferred date and time; select the seat, munchies and drinks; and pay for the purchases via credit card (Visa and MasterCard are accepted via a secure payment portal).

App users can go straight to the theater porter, show the email or text confirmation and they will be immediately ushered to their seats. Purchased snacks will also be delivered, right to where they are seated. A maximum of 10 tickets can be purchased for every transaction with a minimal P10 online charge. This service will be available in all Robinsons Movieworld screens nationwide, currently numbering 115.

Pre-scheduling the next movie date is also possible as the app contains the succeeding movies that will be shown in the theaters. Users can even program the app to prompt them for upcoming events like concerts and mall-wide sales.

The 35,000-plus Robinsons Privilege Card holders can also access the app so they can be reacquainted with the privileges available to them, including a list of stores offering discounts and freebies. There is also a Lingkod Pinoy Center directory in the app. Lingkod Pinoy centers serve as a one-stop shop for government transactions like the SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, OWWA, POEA, NBI, LTO and DFA.

Robinsons Malls will hold a caravan in the activity area of Forum Robinsons on Oct. 25, Robinsons Magnolia on Nov. 9 and Robinsons Place Manila on Nov. 30 to encourage mall goers to download the app.

Mallers who download the new Robinsons Malls App will receive Welcome Deals with discount coupons provided by partner merchants and freebies from affiliates in their email. As a bonus, every app download and registration is automatically qualified for a selfie stick raffle to be held every month starting Nov. 17.

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The Robinsons Malls App is available for free at the iOS App Store (8MB file size for iOS 6.0 and higher) and Android Play Store (11MB file size for Android 4.0 and higher).