One million people have connected to wi-fi at Intu shopping centres, including the Metrocentre in Newcastle, Manchester’s Trafford Centre and Lakeside in Thurrock, as the landlord continues to invest in multichannel to drive footfall.

Intu has launched free wifi across more than half of its shopping centres, with the remaining centres planned for 2014.

During the past year, the landlord invested £8m in its own transactional website and mobile site.

Intu chief information and systems officer Gian Fulgoni said: “Shopping habits are continuing to change at a rapid rate and by investing in our own infrastructure and through ownership of networks and data, we ensure that we are well equipped to embrace further technology advances and shopper initiatives.

“We want to provide the very best service to our customers, enhance their shopping experience and help retailers flourish.”