Taubman Launches New Mall Navigation App

By Edward Cardenas

BLOOMFIELD HILLS (CBS Detroit) - Taubman Centers Inc. will be rolling out a new app in the coming year to help shoppers find stores, styles and sales in their centers.

Taubman, which is based in Bloomfield Hills, released the new app this month initially for its new Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

The free iOS mobile shopping app provides indoor navigation at the Florida mall, with similar apps for other Taubman properties across the country in the coming year.

"Our new mobile app changes the shopping experience, bringing mall navigation and personalization to the forefront like never before," said Ivan Frank, director of digital marketing for Taubman, in a release. "Taubman is pleased to be the leader in bringing this technology to shoppers to enhance their in-mall experience."

MXM developed the free app that utilizes real-time, mall-based navigation powered by Bluetooth beacons. It also remembers favorite stores and delivers personalized maps, style inspiration, sales and promotions right to the phones of shoppers, according to Taubman.

"This is truly a unique amenity for shoppers," said Avi Sacajiu, SPREO Co-Founder and CEO, which developed the unique technology.

The app is now available through the Apple App Store with an Android version launching soon.

According to Taubman, users will be able to mark their favorite locations at the mall including a personal "inspiration board" and the customize their map by pressing the "Love It" filter so only "Love It" stores appear, map the mall and create a shopping itinerary.

In Michigan, Taubman owns Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi.