AMP Capital shopping centres launch in Google Street View

Innovation

26 November 2020

_{Image credit: Google Street View / Video credit: Nine News Australia}

AMP Capital’s shopping centres are the first retail portfolio in Australia and New Zealand to be mapped internally for Google Street View.

Showcasing the inside of 19 AMP Capital-managed shopping centres across Australia and New Zealand, Google Street View enables customers to virtually tour the centre before they leave their home. This helps customers plan their shopping journey and familiarise themselves with their chosen centre ahead of time and is an exciting first step in AMP Capital’s wayfinding journey.

Google Street View uses 360-degree panoramic navigation technology, enabling customers to virtually window shop retailers, cafes, restaurants and services. Customers can experience the entire shopping centre via Google Street View ahead of their visit, allowing customers to have a more purposeful shopping trip.

Helen Hey, Head of Customer Technology and Innovation at AMP Capital said:

“This is an exciting step forward in our customer experience digital roadmap, which aims to create an easier and more digitally-enabled shopping experience for our customers, and in turn, supports our valued retailers.

“Recent research of more than 5,000 shoppers in AMP Capital’s portfolio showed that while 83% are happy with their centre’s response to Covid-19, 39% expect to shop in a more planned/less browsing way and 44% will shop in less busy times so it’s great we can support their shopping habits with an innovative technology solution,” Ms Hey said.

_{Merivale Mall in Christchurch, New Zealand, is among the shopping precincts to be mapped out using Google's technology.}

The project with Google Street View aims to build the ‘know, like and trust’ factor with shoppers and facilitate an easier, more convenient customer journey.

Cynthia Wei, Google Street View Program Manager said:

“Our Street View technology allows people to virtually walk paths and explore a space before they visit. While this technology is most well-known for helping you navigate outdoors along roads or walking trails, it can also be implemented to indoor spaces -- and we’re excited to bring this to AMP Capital shopping centres to help Australians and New Zealanders find their favourite stores more easily.”

“Physical rather than online retail is still our customers’ preference with 96% saying they plan to shop at their local AMP Capital-managed centre during the Christmas period. Great partnerships like Google Street View really enhance the customer experience,” added Ms Hey.

The maps can be accessed via both the Google Maps app and website, and the AMP Capital shopping centre websites. To road test Google Street View at Macquarie Centre in Sydney click here.

Google Street View is available at the following shopping centres:

About AMP Capital

AMP Capital is one of the largest and most experienced direct real estate fund managers in the Asia Pacific, with more than $28 billion in funds under management as at 30 June 2020. AMP Capital offers institutional and private investors access to real estate equity and debt opportunities globally through a range of wholesale funds and separately managed solutions.

Contact details

Lara Evans (Media enquiries only)

+61 (0) 419 226 449

Lara.Evans@ampcapital.com