Cross -Shops

Amir Samakar , Yi Lin , Alexandra Coleman , Neeta Kumari , Stuart Hood , Ravindra Bhandari

Apr. 2012, Babson College

Large retailers and shopping malls are becoming more popular

This results in local shops in towns losing business

Old mom-and-pop shops are disappearing from the streets of US towns

Gradually, towns look empty and are no longer walkable

Small town residents are joining efforts to keep their towns from becoming ghost towns

Ghost Towns

Gamification

How it works

Design

•CrossShop Team

•Local Shop owners

Publish

•Local newspaper

•CrossShop website

•Mobile Apps

Solution

•Visit the local shop

•Browse the menu or shelf items

Rewards

•CrossShop points

Spend Points

•Coupons•Hints•Entry fee for Big Puzzle

•Instant Verification

Why it is interesting

Related to Real Environment

• Makes shopping experience more enjoyable

• Improve walkability score of town

• Helps keep towns alive

Real Money Rewards

• Coupon

Creates a Social Fabric

• Recognition in Leader board

• Higher Levels for Best Players

• Enables local communities to compete

• Share shopping experience within the community

• Encourages teamwork to solve difficult puzzles

Appealing for all ages

• Elderly: Local newspaper or magazine

• younger generation : Online website/ phone Apps

• Different puzzle content for different age groups

CrossShop Points

A virtual currency.

Borrow or lend points.

Trade points for real money

A fixed exchange rate

Spend points for virtual or real goods.

• Minimal macroeconomic effects• No effect on the U.S. banking system• Unless, virtual dollars are exchanged for

“real world” goods

Macroeconomic Effect

• Shift in consumption• Community Growth • Urban and suburban renewal• More investment and exchange of local

dollars

Reshaping the Microeconomic Landscape

Large Retailer

s

Local Vendors