Boots and IBM have announced that the UK retailer will be launching Sales Assist, an IBM MobileFirst for iOS app, across its 2,500 UK stores in an effort to make it easier and simpler for customers to get hold of the products they need.

Sales Assist is one of the over 100 enterprise-focused apps that IBM has produced in collaboration with Apple for iPhone and iPad, aimed at a range of specific industries and professions. IBM worked with Boots UK to further evolve the app to the brands specific needs and support the companys vision of using mobility to change the way customers shop.

“At Boots UK, were investing in innovative new technology to further improve the retail experience for our customers, and mobility is at the forefront of this transformation,” said Robin Phillips, director of omnichannel and development at Boots UK.

“By developing Sales Assist, in collaboration with IBM and Apple, and launching it on the 3,700 iPads in our stores, were integrating our digital and in-store presence to deliver an even better shopping environment for customers. The unique tool allows our colleagues to quickly show product information, ratings and reviews, look up inventory online and make recommendations based on online analytics, all from the shop floor.”

The new app uses Bluemix, IBMs cloud platform, to tap into the product databases from Boots online retail channel, as well as linking with the companys backend applications and data to provide analytics-powered recommendations for customers.

“We worked hard to design the Sales Assist app around the needs of Boots colleagues, and using it gives us the confidence to provide our customers with the most up-to-date advice on products and offers on the spot,” said Vickie Ward, a customer assistant at Boots who worked with the team designing and developing the app.

Don’t forget to enter the Effective Mobile Marketing Awards. The Early Bird deadline for submissions is 22 July. More details here.