Beam aims to bring 100,000 customers to Auckland businesses

Shared micro mobility company Beam has launched Operation Booster to assist shops, restaurants and cafes across Auckland in reinvigorating the local economy.

Beam has configured its mobile app to create virtual parking locations outside establishments that sign up to the free initiative following the move to COVID-19 alert level two.

All parking spots will follow Auckland Council guidelines, Beam says.

Its research across Asia-Pacific cities indicates riders parking near retail outlets increases the natural footfall and revenue for those businesses.

By ensuring many more riders start and end their trips outside retail locations, Beam aims to directly stimulate economic activity at community level.

Beam will promote for free the establishments in its app, showing details and promotions on the scooter map.

The system also uses GPS-triggered messaging that allows the retailers to create promotional messages in the app for any rider ending a trip nearby.

Beam’s research shows that 40% of regular Beam riders in Auckland visited shops and restaurants before the lockdown, so it’s estimating the initiative will drive an additional 100,000 customer visits to Auckland businesses during the next six months.

“We are part of this community – through both good and challenging times – and we want to do all that we can to ensure that businesses impacted by COVID-19 could get a real boost as conditions move back to normal,” Beam operations manager Frederick Conquer says.

“By guiding riders to locations in order to support local business we are fostering that sense of togetherness and mutual support across the community.”

Conquer says during level three Beam had a fantastic response to its free scooter offer for restaurants to support their delivery needs.

“As we move to level two our focus will turn to connecting customers with businesses.”

Beam’s operations team recently began approaching Auckland businesses to discuss the initiative, and more than 50 have signed up.

One of the first to sign, Bubble tea store Chatime’s George Shuang says clever initiatives like Operation Booster offer businesses a glimmer of hope and a welcome and timely opportunity to quickly get back on their feet.

Businesses can sign up at ridebeam.com/operation-booster to join the free Operation Booster initiative.