New York City is a top shopping destination worldwide. We're one of the few places in the country with department stores not located in malls.
But now that shopping online is a big time competitor for brick and mortar stores, events like Cyber Monday are just as, if not more so, important than events like Black Friday.
So because the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is always up to something, and people need to constantly buy things especially around the holidays, you can now shop at kiosks in the subway.
In fact, you could last year too.
With these "On the Go" Gift Guide kiosks, straphangers have yet another touch screen device to buy stuff on. There are about a hundred of them between 15 stations, operated by "urban experience" technology and media company Intersection.
Usually, they just have interactive subway maps that can help you plan your journey. That's pretty cool in itself, but around the holidays, you can also buy "curated products."
They're curated by popularity. So if you're too busy to buy something not in the subway, at least you can buy people what the majority of everyone else bought each other.
This second run of the "On the Go shopping" experience is due to reach 2.2 million riders per day around the City including Grand Central Terminal, Union Square, and Atlantic Terminal/Barclay's Center.
suein.oh "I'm not just another pretty kiosk" says @mtanyctransit's On The Go Travel Station. There are more than 145 of these screens located in 30 NYC subway stations. They were made in collaboration with Control Group, a technology and design company based in the City. According to @huffingtonpost, these kiosks cost $15,000 but go largely unnoticed. #onthegokiosk #subwaymap #NYC #newyork #transportation #subway #KlatellTu
According to the MTA, a recent Google shopper survey showed that 40% of users said they'll likely continue to use their phones to pay for products.
The problem there is that more and more subway stations have Wi-Fi, so there's no reason for anyone to look up from their phones... where they're likely shopping already.
Check out 8 Unique NYC Souvenir Gifts You Won't Find in Times Square.
[via Metropolitan Transportation Authority] [Feature Image Courtesy AdWeek]