Free Wifi at Pret A Manger
9 Jan
Pret A Manger has launched a wifi service in 170 of its 190 stores. Customers will be able to use the wifi for free on their mobile devices and laptops. Pret are one of the first chains (along with McDonalds) to offer a free wireless broadband connection in a bid to draw in customers. Starbucks also has wifi available in store but charges customers a fee.
Many news sources have described this as a national offer which surprised me as I thought Pret only had stores in London. At first I just figured tht London people thought that the country ended outside of the M25. It turns out they have them in quite a few big cities although they have yet to invade the south west.
“Now you can get cheap deals for mobile broadband it has made it very hard to charge for wi-fi in cafes. Somebody will have to pay for it but it is becoming less likely to be the end user.”
Ian Fogg – Forrester Research
Pret A Manger are hoping that people will linger in store and spend more money if they feel like they are getting something for free. As broadband become cheaper and devices become more portable we can expect to recieve free wifi more often. If I had a nearby coffee shop with free wifi I wouldn’t bother going home!
News story here.
