Pret A Manger has become the latest retail outlet to offer Wi-Fi internet access to it’s customers but with a difference. Unlike other leading food and coffee chains like Café Nero the service is being offered free of charge in all of Pret’s outlets throughout the UK.
The service, which commenced roll-out in mid December, will use Wi-Fi access provided by The Cloud, a UK based company specializing in mobile internet solutions to retail outlets, hotels and local authorities.
The free WiFi service which is already available in over 60 stores will allow any Pret customer to use the Internet with any type of WiFi enabled device within the store. You do not need a pin number to activate the service, nor do you actually have to buy anything. It is hoped that the service will encourage customers to stay in store longer and perhaps visit more often. While there is always a danger of people taking advantage of the offer Prêt insists that they have trailed the service extensively and found that this was rarely the case.
This is great news for consumers who may already be paying a monthly subscription for mobile broadband as it allows them to surf the web for free and reserve their ‘paid for’ access for times where there is no alternative. It is hoped that other retailers follow the initiative and thus bring forward the era of truly mobile internet access within the reach of all, not just those who can afford the subscriptions.
About Pret A Manger
Started in 1986 by two college friends whose aim was simply to provide the kind of food they liked but found difficult to buy elsewhere. There are currently 150 Pret A Manger, mainly in the UK, with plans to add more stores as and when the opportunity arises. www.pret.com
