Book retailers Eason have opened up Ireland’s first virtual bookstore in Dublin’s Connolly Train Station.
The new pop-up bookshop might be lacking in face-to-face customer service, but it makes up for that in ease of use. You simply walk up to the virtual bookstore, where books are laid out on virtual shelves, and scan the QR code attached to the book. This will then bring you to an online store where you can purchase the e-book.
“While the traditional physical store is still very much at the heart of Eason, we recognise the ever-growing need to further develop our online shopping experience and to create a concept that is not only innovative and a first to Irish market but that very much demonstrates that we are a contemporary multi-channel retailer,” said David Field, head of marketing and retail development at Eason.
There are some cool features to the virtual bookstore, such as a pre-order option in case your chosen book isn’t in shops yet and it’s even connected to Facebook so you can let your mates see what new book you’ve just bought. Just make sure to disable that function if you’re buying 50 Shades of Grey… even if it is for the ‘missus’.
Eason hopes to expand the virtual bookshops to a number of locations by 2013, but until then you should head down to Connolly Station for a gander.
Pic via @RonanPrice
