A revolutionary new technology that allows customers to order products or access information with just the tap of a smartphone could transform the online marketplace, an expert says.

Hello Merchant founder Tracy Hazlewood says the pioneering new Sticky platform will provide the most cost-effective way for retailers to offer online sales – and can also help breathe new life into town centres and tourist attractions.

Sticky has been developed by an award-winning tech team in Leeds and Telford-based Tracy is among the first people in the country to be offering it to retailers.

A sticky is a branded sticker that can be stuck to shop windows, pub tables, information points and check-in desks and can take a customer’s details, allow them to place an order or offer useful information with just a single tap of a smartphone.

“This is a really innovative piece of technology that nobody has offered before,” said Tracy.

“There is an almost endless range of uses for stickies – from single tap ordering and payment in pubs, restaurants and shops, to being used to develop information and promotional trails through town centres, speedy check-in systems at hotels or health centres and a really cost-effective contactless payment system.

“The great thing about them is that they are self-contained. Customers don’t need to download a separate app to make them work or scan extra codes or input their credit card details. It’s quick, easy, seamless and super-convenient.

“The list of uses you can put stickies to is almost endless, but they will be a real game-changer in the retail and hospitality sectors. Imagine being able to order another drink in less than 20 seconds at your local pub without ever leaving your table.

“We are already working with Business Improvement Districts to offer stickies as a great way of producing informative, multi-media discovery trails, which can help town centre visitors discover what it has to offer and incentivise people to visit as many shops as possible by turning the town centre into a game.

“In more than 20 years in the industry I have never seen anything with the potential that Sticky has to transform the market.”

Tracy said the price and flexibility of the sticky made it a particularly attractive platform for small retailers who were desperate to offer online sales in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

“Each sticky costs just £5 to buy, with discounts for bulk orders. You then pay a £5 per month subscription fee but can turn the sticky off and on whenever you need it, so you only pay for the days it is in use. The transaction rate is just 1.5 per cent which makes it the best value for money I know of.

“You can buy ready-made stickies or have your own designed to carry your branding, and you get free virtual stickies to use on your digital platforms and websites. There is no contract, and you can decide exactly what information or products go on each sticky.”