RedDotNet Kiosks Placed In Rhino Record Stores
edDotNet is helping to take the guesswork out of buying music with the placement of its Kiosks in Rhino Record stores.
At Rhino, customers can swipe the bar code of any CD across a reader at four kiosks. The kiosk enables customers to preview albums by scanning the package bar code or by selecting items via the Dot’s touch screen and dial technology. The Dot delivers sound samples, cover art and product reviews. Over 1,700,000 albums are sampled every week on the RedDotNet system. Customers can scroll through selections at will. The RedDotNet system has samples from 2.5 million album cuts.
With the RedDotNet system, any home entertainment product can be highlighted, including DVD’s, audio books and video games. Dots, about the size of a Frisbee, can be mounted in the product bins, placed on an endcap, installed on a wall or placed as a standalone kiosk.
Virgin Megastores Launch MegaPlay Kiosks Nationwide
Virgin Megastores have placed custom-built Virgin MegaPlay kiosks throughout their North American Megastores. The MegaPlay kiosks are the most advanced entertainment preview system in the market today, which will allow customers to ‘try it before they buy it’ by instantly accessing a database of over 2.4 million CD tracks and 10,000 DVD movie trailers, through an easy to use touch-screen interface.
“Holiday shopping can often be stressful and time consuming, so our goal was to create an enjoyable and interactive holiday shopping resource to reward our loyal customers,” said Glen Ward, CEO, Virgin Entertainment Group, NA. “Through the use of the MegaPlay kiosks customers can now search, browse and receive recommendations for the perfect gift for the entertainment enthusiast in their life.”
Sony Introduces PictureStation Photo Finishing System
Sony Electronics has introduced the PictureStation, designed to provide digital camera users with fast, easy-to-use digital photo printing services at retail. The PictureStation comes in a counter top unit and a freestanding kiosk.
The countertop PictureStation system allows retailers to provide personalized behind-the-counter service to customers. The freestanding kiosk allows customers to order their pictures and print them out at one convenient terminal. The PictureStation systems accept images recorded on standard electronic media. The PictureStation will display a preview of each photo on its screen. A touch screen lets the consumers select the pictures they want, the size and the number of prints. A high-speed digital printer in the unit then creates high quality prints immediately.
Applied Science Fiction Testing Self-Service Photo Kiosk
Applied Science Fiction, Inc. (ASF) is testing a self-service kiosk featuring Digital PIC, a dry film processing technology. The Digital PIC system, delivers high quality digital image files as well as prints in less than 10 minutes. Consumers simply drop their exposed 35mm film into the kiosk for automatic film processing, printing and the creation of digital image files.
Users can select the images they want printed and can edit them by removing red eye, cropping and adjusting brightness or contrast before making enlargements.
The Digital PIC kiosk also offers digital camera users a fast and easy way to get prints. Using an easy-to-use touch screen menu, consumers can make enlargements up to 8x10".
RCA Scenium Launched With Innovative Display
The Thomson and RCA Scenium brand of widescreen High-Definition color TVs, DVD players and high-performance home theatre products will be easily identified by consumers, thanks to distinctively designed p.o.p. displays that will be utilized in retail stores around the globe to support the Scenium launch.
“The key to acceptance of a dramatic new design and technology concept is largely based on the comfort level that consumers have when they first view the new products,” said Jim Gateman, V.P. Consumer Communications and Marketing Services Worldwide. “We feel the Scenium range of products will benefit by having a flexible display that projects the aura of a sophisticated yet consumer-friendly breakthrough in home entertainment.”
The display consists of a platform base that defines the required footprint for the retail floor set-up. The backwall, a two piece silk screened acrylic panel holds a circular panel that features the Thomson or RCA Scenium logo. The wall is adjustable up or down, giving retailers the flexibility to maintain a height consistent with the store environment. Included in the display is a free standing banner stand that features the Scenium logo, graphics and a two-sided brochure holder. The display is made primarily of heavy-gauge sheet metal painted with an industrial coating for durability. The quick-set design has no visible electrical cables, all of which are easily connected to installed outlets built into the display.
“We feel the strength of the RCA Scenium retail display design lies in its simplicity, allowing the products to stand out on any crowded retail sales floor and providing the consumer with a clear picture of the advantages offered by the Scenium range,” said Keri Frantom, Director of Marketing Services.
Kodak Perfect Touch Promoted At Retail
Eastman Kodak Co., has launched Kodak Perfect Touch Processing, its new premium photo processing service, which individually scans and digitally "corrects" each photo. Digital technology is used to improve poorly exposed or backlit pictures giving consumers pictures with more vibrant colors, richer detail and fewer dark shadows. The service will roll out across the U.S. in 2003.
Jeff Wagner, Associate Product Manager for Kodak Perfect Touch, said, “We want to reset consumers’ expectations about processing. By getting their pictures processed with Kodak Perfect Touch processing, they can see the difference for themselves.”
Kodak will support the retail effort with an integrated marketing campaign that includes advertising and in-store promotions. In-store signage shows “twin girl” images so consumers can see side-by-side comparisons of standard processing vs. Perfect Touch.
KB Toys And CVS Form Alliance
KB Toys and CVS/pharmacy have entered into an agreement naming KB Toys as the exclusive toy supplier for CVS’ 4,000 locations.
“The alliance will strengthen our general merchandise/toy category by enabling us to offer a more complete and up-to-date selection of toys,” said Chris Bodine, Exec. V.P,. Merchandising and Marketing for CVS. “This alliance will help us to make shopping at CVS easier for our customers by providing them with better access to popular toys.”
KB Toys will provide CVS with several merchandise programs including a year-round assortment of quality toys offered at attractive price points as well as spring and summer seasonal toys. KB Toys, which currently has alliances with Sears, Safeway and QVC, will work in concert with CVS’ merchandising teams to implement the program.
Sony & Pepsi Announce Joint Marketing Program
Sony Music Entertainment (SME) and Pepsi-Cola North America have unveiled plans for a multifaceted global marketing campaign. Beginning next summer in the U.S., radio advertising for Pepsi brands will feature “sneak previews” of songs from key SME artists, as well as a series of Pepsi-sponsored TV specials showcasing SME artists. The campaign will also include co-branded sales efforts at non-music retail outlets across the country, providing a dramatically expanded distribution platform for SME releases and unique cross-merchandising programs for Pepsi retailers.
“The three-part strategy of early awareness through radio exposure, exposure through television specials and superior point-of-purchase placement at non-music retail outlets will give our releases a significant advantage in the North American marketplace,” said Thomas Mottola, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment. “Our involvement with Sony music and their artists has been a real win for Pepsi brands over the years, and this next step is a natural extension,” said Antonio Lucio, Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Beverages International.
Co-branded p.o.p. displays offering Pepsi products and SME CDs will be installed in high-traffic areas of non-music retail outlets, positioning music product as an impulse buy.
Best Buy Expands High Speed Internet Options Available In-Store
Best Buy has installed new in-store Activation Stations, providing customers with access to a wide selection of high-speed connectivity options. Best Buy now offers 15 high-speed Internet cable, DSL and satellite broadband options. The Activation Stations make selection, comparison and purchase of broadband services fast and simple through the straightforward GetConnected interface.
To use the Activation Stations, customers first enter the address where they would like to get broadband service. The system then pulls up participating providers in the area who offer service to that location. The customer compares the specific features, functions and prices as well as any special offers for the high speed Internet options and chooses a plan. The station then prompts the customer to select equipment such as a DSL modem, cable modem or satellite dish needed to activate the broadband service. Once the customer completes the order, it is automatically sent to the provider.
Blockbuster Introduces New Store Look
As part of its plan to aggressively grow sales in the high growth DVD and game categories, Blockbuster has introduced a new look in more than 4,400 stores nationwide. The stores will feature clearly defined boutique-style retail and rental sections, color-blocked in-store signage, expanded focus on DVDs and games, enhanced product selection and other new design features.
“Our mission is to be the complete source to our customers for movies and games, in the format of their choice, rental or retail, new or used,” said Nick Shepherd, Exec. V.P., Merchandising and Chief Concept Officer.
Hawk Electronics Launches New Concept
Hawk Electronics has updated several of its stores in the Dallas/Ft. Worth and San Antonio markets. The newly renovated stores, using a power aisle layout, are complemented by new store fixtures and p.o.p. materials, highlighting Hawk’s car audio, home theater and new consumer electronics selections from leading manufacturers. Displayed “in-the-round” on movable store fixtures, customers are immediately drawn to the hottest new products.
“The power aisle concept is especially well suited to the Hawk store environment,” said Bruce Quinnell, Hawk Merchandising Strategy Consultant.” Even if a customer is merely browsing, product from various related categories is displayed to capture their attention.” Hawk Electronics is a subsidiary of Progressive Concepts Communications, Inc., Fort Worth, TX.
Video Game Console Market Passes Revenues Of $7.4 Billion
With next generation consoles from Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft now available in North America, Japan and Europe, the video game console market has reached 31.8 million units shipped and revenues of $7.4 billion, according to In-Stat MDR, a market research firm. Sony dominates the game console market while Nintendo and Microsoft battle for second place.
“The year 2001 saw total video game revenue surpass movie box office receipts in the U.S. for the second consecutive year, and shipments are expected to increase substantially in 2002,” said Brian O'Rourke, a senior analyst with In-Stat/MDR. The introduction of online gaming by all three console manufacturers has the potential to transform the market going forward.
Nearly half of the survey respondents expressed interest in online console gaming. Some 25% of survey respondents watch movies on their PS2. Overall, nearly one-third of respondents watch movies on their video game consoles.
NPD Forecasts Flat Year For Toy Industry
While overall sales of traditional toys are expected to be flat this year, there is some positive news for the $25 billion industry, according to NPDFunworld, a division of market information provider The NPD Group. Hot new growth categories include card games, action figures, building sets, dolls and special feature plush. In 2002, these top categories reflect the increased upward growth of licensed products, fueled by hot movies and nostalgic properties.
Star Wars items by Hasbro and LEGO, and Spider-Man products by ToyBiz drove first -half licensed product sales growth in action figures and building sets. Licensed products have been popular this year, accounting for 25% of all first half 2002 sales. Seven of the top ten best selling toys introduced in 2002 are licensed products, with five Star Wars items ranking in the top ten. The emerging license, Yu-Gi-Oh!, based on a Japanese animated cartoon, is gaining momentum in the U.S. The Yu-Gi-Oh! Metal Raiders card game has already secured the number six spot on the list of top ten toys introduced this year. Yu-Gi-Oh! is predicted to equal or surpass the Pokemon craze among kids, with tweens as the primary target audience, according to NPDFunworld.
Nokia Introduces Game Console Phone
Nokia has introduced The N-Gage, its first mobile phone that allows consumers to play quality games, which are stored and distributed on memory cards, on a color screen. The new device will allow multiple gamers to play against each other over short-range wireless Bluetooth connections or the wide-area mobile phone network. Nokia will work with top games publishers and will also release its own games.
Nintendo Player Displays Game Boy Titles On TVs
Nintendo will introduce the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Player, allowing games designed for the Game Boy to be displayed on home TVs through the GameCube console. The Game Boy Player connects to the Nintendo GameCube, and allows players to use their console controller or Game Boy Advance to direct action on the screen.
Peter MacDougall, Exec. V.P., Marketing, Nintendo, said, “The Game Boy Player makes current Game Boy Advance games larger-than-life, and also allows players to see their favorite portable titles from a decade ago in a new way.”
Radio Shack Features Multi-Image Player And Lightbox
Radio Shack wanted to draw attention to the dramatic new look of its stores and increase brand awareness at the same time.
This multi-image player and lightbox is 3'W x 4'H and features an innovative eye-catching display. The sign allows Radio Shack to change the graphics of this motion lightbox quickly and easily. This new technology allows Radio Shack up to three separate messages in the space of one.
This Multi-Image Player And Lightbox was produced by Animated Sign Technologies, located in Sarasota, FL.
Blue Man Group Places Listening Booths At Virgin Megastores
Blue Man Group in conjunction with Virgin Entertainment Group, North America, has created a custom DVD booth that will showcase the 5.1 surround sound mix of its Grammy nominated debut album, AUDIO. The booth marks the first custom artist listening experience in a major music retail store, a step that demonstrates Virgin Entertainment's commitment to think outside the box of traditional retail promotions.
The booth is 8' H and 7'W and resembles a giant PVC tube, like those Blue Man Group uses in its hit shows. The booth makes its debut in the Virgin Megastore, Las Vegas. The overall look of the booth parallels Blue Man's world of tubes, black lights and modern art. The booth design and the sound system provided by Bose create an intimate surround sound experience. In addition to the audio, a plasma TV screen will showcase slides from Blue Man Group’s Las Vegas show.
Xbox And Budweiser Kick Off National Bar Program
Microsoft and Anheuser-Busch have developed an interactive program promoting Budweiser and Xbox in bars, clubs, and pubs during evening hours.
“The program with Budweiser provides great visibility for Xbox and our new Microsoft Game Studios games within a key adult audience,” said Cindy Spodek Dickey, Group Manager for Xbox at Microsoft. “This is the start of an ongoing marketing relationship for Anheuser-Busch and Xbox.”
The promotion provides an open-play format in which consumers 21 and older can play new video games while visiting bars and clubs.
A full line of Xbox/Budweiser point-of-sale materials and premium items support the promotion.
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