Ivanhoé Cambridge, the real estate arm of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, is helping small and medium-sized tenants in its Canadian shopping centres by partnering with Lightspeed POS Inc. to provide free access to two e-commerce solutions for one year.

The first solution is Lightspeed Retail, a point-of-sale solution that offers tools to engage customers, including comprehensive loyalty programs, synchronized inventory management and built-in reports with real-time sales data. It also includes an integration of local and national parcel delivery.

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The second solution is Lightspeed Restaurant, which includes integrated delivery options, including Uber Eats, and allows businesses to reach more customizers by maximizing delivery zones, customizing takeout menus, connecting to social media and using data to understand ordering patterns. It also includes options like self-order kiosks and table-side service with an iPad point-of-sale system.

The initiative is meant to support businesses as economies gradually return to normal when coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

“During these unprecedented times, it’s important to support our tenants,” said Nathalie Palladitcheff, president and chief executive officer of Ivanhoé Cambridge, in a press release. “We understand that consumer expectations and shopping habits are evolving. This is an opportunity, and we are proud to partner with Lightspeed to offer a safe, fluid and trusted omnichannel sales solution to our tenants wishing to serve the communities in which our shopping centres are located.”

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