Sephora to roll out mobile POS in select stores
Sephora’s latest technology upgrade is designed to streamline in-store payment.
The beauty giant is integrating the FreedomPay mobile POS platform in its 500-plus stores across the U.S, Canada and Latin America. By implementing this technology, Sephora intends to enable a safe, secure, up-to-date mobile POS consumer experience with the FreedomPay solution.
The new, touchless-capable FreedomPay payment system enables Sephora shoppers the option to pay via contactless payment methods and digital wallets all on their own mobile device. Accepted digital payment methods include Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
In recent months, Sephora has been undergoing something of a technology transformation, implementing new solutions across a variety of enterprise areas. In March 2021, the retailer began collaborating with Shipt to offer a range of beauty and wellness products for delivery in as soon as an hour. Shipt is the fourth same-day delivery option Sephora offers its customers.
And in October 2021, Sephora deployed Relex Solutions artificial intelligence (AI)-based forecasting and replenishment software, with the goal of improving its demand forecasting and automated replenishment. The retailer also intends to utilize the Relex solution to upgrade its management of promotions, slow-moving products, new product introductions, and product ramp-downs.
Sephora is also reintroducing its shopping advisory tool, Live Beauty Help, formerly known as Home Chat. Live Beauty Help connects customers directly with a live beauty advisor, who will be an expert in Sephora’s categories, product assortment and application. This will enable customers to chat with real people online. Customers were previously able to use this tool on Sephora.com, and it has now expanded onto the Sephora mobile app.
Sephora has been unveiling these new omnichannel conveniences following four straight years of taking the top spot in the annual Retail Personalization Index compiled by marketing automation platform Sailthru. In the most recent edition of the Index, Sephora increased its score to 89 points out of a possible 100, up from 79 points in the 2019 Index, thanks to its focus on omnichannel personalization, user engagement and new ways to provide personalized shopping experiences at home.
Meanwhile, other retailers including Foot Locker are also leveraging FreedomPay technology to mobile-enable the in-store checkout experience.
“Now more than ever, it is critical for us at Sephora to be able to adapt to the quickly changing retail environment and that’s especially important at the point of sale,” said Sree Sreedhararaj, senior VP and CTO at Sephora. “Our clients desire a seamless experience in every step of the shopping journey, and our partnership with FreedomPay allows us to maximize efficiencies and capabilities at checkout.”
“FreedomPay is proud to announce the agreement with Sephora, to provide a world class experience to its millions of customers across the Americas,” said Chris Kronenthal, president of FreedomPay. “Our suite of touchless commerce and data solutions will enable Sephora to provide customers a fast, frictionless, and innovative consumer experience.”