With more of us now using smartphones and tablet PCs the need for a reliable Internet connection increases, and a data connection can be expensive for some users but more companies are offering the opportunity to access a free Wi-Fi connection. Today we have news that UK carrier O2 is to offer free Wi-Fi at a number of Debenhams stores for all smartphone users.

According to an article on Mobile News all of the retailers 167 stores will be kitted out with free Wi-Fi so users can make use of the Debenhams app to improve their shopping experience. The retailer has teamed up with O2 to offer the service that will allow customers that use the app to order items for home delivery, and check sizes while in store.

The company will promote the service and its application to its customers as a way of combining online and retail shopping together. Users will be able to check stock and if an item isn’t available in the correct size they can simply scan the barcode, and arrange home delivery.

There will also be discount vouchers available within the application along with a store guide that will help customers to locate goods more easily. This news follows a trail run in three stores and the popularity of the stores app for online shopping growing. So far one million people have downloaded it, and twenty percent of the company’s online traffic is now coming via mobile devices.

Gavin Franks of O2 said the company were pleased to be adding Debenhams to their growing portfolio, and added that “this marks a continuation of our fresh thinking that has seen the rapid growth of O2 Wi-Fi”.

Simon Foster director at Debenhams said that “the shape of shopping in the future emerging right before our eyes”, and this move could transform how some people do their shopping.

Do you try and find a free Wi-Fi connection when you are out shopping?