Out The Box

Flying taxis and shopping therapy

The first hub for flying taxis and delivery drones is set to become reality; and now, major retailers and food & drink brands have partnered with the developer to be featured in the dedicated ‘hub’.

HANG ON, WHAT?

The flying taxi trend has not yet taken off, but plans are big in this area and commercial flights are expected to begin this decade. The travelling proposition is expected to be affordable and zero-emission, while facilitating a congestion-free experience.

The Coventry site – backed by the UK government, Supernal (Hyundai’s air mobility division) and Coventry City Council – will feature a shopping area, having signed up brands including Bottega SpA, Compass Group, and fashion company Paul & Shark.

ARE FLYING TAXIS EVER GOING TO BE A THING?

Well, according to research, some flight operators could see passenger numbers reach 70,000 per day as early as 2030.

The company behind the UK site, Urban-Air Port predicts its global passenger numbers could reach up to 28 million a year in the next five years, creating an enormous new market for retail and F&B, that will be worth ‘millions of dollars’.

AND THE SHOPPING OFFERING?

Think about it as an airport shop – albeit much smaller, combined with a smartphone app, allowing travellers to not only plan their journey, but also engage with the brands and integrate with other forms of transport.

Each Urban-Air Port passenger lounge promises to be an entirely new type of space. A fraction of the size of a traditional airport terminal, it aims to create a ‘unique’ retail experience by introducing brands in a novel way, such as interactive screens and virtual/augmented reality technology, rather than permanent bricks and mortar shops.

The approach is thought to enable brands to remain agile, hosting interactive campaign-specific content at opportune times, rather than expensive long-term shop fronts. This, in turn, allows them to engage the right audiences, with the right messages, in the right place at the right time.

All brands and products will also be accessible through Urban-Air Port’s app, meaning the retail experience extends further than just the customers’ visit to the physical site.

Consumers then have the option to order products directly to their homes or even have them delivered via drone to their local Urban-Air Port or City- Box drone delivery hub, or ready to be ‘vended’ by smart vending technology company Mother’s machines using a collection code.

CAN WE EXPECT A CONVENIENCE STORE IN THERE AS WELL?

If this form of transport lifts off, then why wouldn’t convenience stores have their

place on the site? After all, WHSmith is very prominent in airports and, let’s be honest, there is nothing more annoying than getting ready to travel and not being able to buy a last-minute essential item. And if any retailers are interested, Urban- Air Port says it “looks forward to adding new partners”.