Hasbro Creates Littlest Pet Shop Pop-Up Store
Hasbro recently opened the doors of a LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs Boutique in New York City. The “pop-up” store experience celebrated Hasbro’s newly-launched LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs (Virtual Interactive Pets), a line of adorable plush pets that each have a unique code to unlock a rich online virtual world for girls to explore and "live" in with their VIPs pets. The LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs Boutique sends girls on an immersive journey that blends real and virtual world activities from playing games and winning cool prizes to exploring the environment and meeting other LITTLEST PET SHOP fans.
Valerie Jurries, Vice President of Marketing for Hasbro's girls brands, said, “Pop-up stores are all about creating the unexpected and that is exactly what we're doing for the avid and loyal LITTLEST PET SHOP girls. The experience will mark the first time that girls can actually step into the LITTLEST PET SHOP world and see it unfold through the eyes of their pets.”
Like its online counterpart, the LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs Boutique allowed girls to venture through the VIPs world participating in various events and collecting or winning “Kibble” currency which could be redeemed in the store for special prizes.
The look and feel of the pop-up boutique environment also mimicked the online world by surrounding girls with vivid colors and sassy elements germane to the LITTLEST PET SHOP brand adding bursts of whimsy and fun to the overall experience . The LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs Boutique also included Internet kiosks where girls could get hands-on play time with the digital plush pets.
Gibson Guitar Debuts First Robot Guitar
Gibson Guitar has announced the availability of the world’s first guitar with robotic technology, the Gibson Les Paul Robot Guitar, which eliminates tuning problems for guitarists. It automatically tunes to standard A440 tuning. It also allows players to access six commonly used altered tuning presets at the push of a button. With the locking tuner, single string changes or changing the entire set of strings are an automated breeze.
The system consists of five high technology components which are extremely light and do not change the instrument in any way.
The world's 1st run limited edition version of Gibson Les Paul Robot Guitars will initially be displayed at only 400 dealers throughout the world.
Graph Tech Displays New Dealer Support Program
Graph Tech Guitar Labs, a world leading guitar nut and saddle manufacturer, has introduced its first international dealer program providing product buy back options to its network of dealers in over 27 countries worldwide.
“Providing the newest products and offering the ability to return old products for the most up-to-date products increases our customers' inventory turns allowing for greater profits,” said Dave Dunwoodie, President, Graph Tech.
Along with new point of purchase displays and technical support, Graph Tech’s program allows dealers to return old product for new product so that their inventory is consistent with the latest technical advances. “With this new system, the sales channels will benefit by increased sales and no obsolete inventory risk,” said Lee Knowles, dealer and distributor sales manager.
Provo Craft Displays Information Center
Provo Craft. a Spanish Fork, UT-based crafts firm is using this permanent metal display, which features an on-demand video to educate the consumer on the product attributes and advantages of three products.
Battery-operated, the display unit has brackets that easily installs to existing retail fixtures and requires no electrical source. The video operates with a programmable chip that can be exchanged to easily update the promotion.
Consumers simply press a button to view the desired video.
The front panel graphics can be replaced or changed out with a new label.
This Information Center display was created for Provo Craft by Kendal King Group, a Kansas City, KS-based point-of-purchase display firm.
Handleman-Anderson Promotes Music Products
This 4-sided “billboard” display was created for Handleman-Anderson to help it promote the total music experiences available from Handelman-Anderson through ring tones, concert tickets, CDs, and iTunes cards.
The display was created by Juiced Creative, A Division of Stribling Group, Rogers, AR.
Virgin Megastores Expand Digital Marketing Effort
Virgin Megastore’s West Coast flagship location in Hollywood has expanded its digital marketing technology pilot.
A giant s-curved film strip hangs overhead horizontally and consists of three screens, each rotating movie content on its own schedule. The curved screens display individual trailers of the latest movie releases. For major movie premieres, the system will also support a “media blast” where all three screens can simultaneously display the same content.
“We were looking for a creative way to support our media partners in promoting their top DVD releases,” said Dee McLaughlin, V.P., Marketing, Virgin Entertainment Group.
The digital marketing film strip solution was provided by Epson America, headquartered in Long Beach, CA.
Borders To Open First U.S. Stand-Alone Paperchase Shop
Borders, Inc. will open its first stand-alone Paperchase shop in the U.S. on Boston’s famed Newbury Street.
Paperchase is the London-based retail brand leader in design-led stationery. Borders Group acquired Paperchase Products in 2004. Since then, Paperchase shops have been added to over 300 Borders superstores, and the company has committed to further expansion in Borders superstores as well as through larger, stand-alone stores.
The new 1,525-sq. ft. Paperchase shop in Boston, will offer a unique collection of high-design greeting cards, stationery, gift items, seasonal decor, gift wrap, diaries and more.
“Paperchase is an exciting, fashion-driven brand unlike anything that exists today in the U.S.,” said Borders Group CEO George Jones.
Personal Navigation Devices To Surpass 100 Million Units By 2011, Reports ABI
The consumer navigation market has seen unprecedented levels of activity and growth in 2007, mainly driven by PNDs (personal navigation devices). PND markets will continue to grow strongly to reach a global sales volume of more than 100 million units by 2011, according to a study conducted by ABI Research. Dedicated PNDs will remain the preferred form factor for use in the car but will be complemented by handset-based systems for pedestrian navigation and new use cases such as outdoors. New form factors such as portable media players, ultra mobile PCs, Internet tablets and mobile Internet devices will also appear.
“Handset-based navigation will be stimulated by convergence trends and technological advances in low-cost GPS-receiver integration, and improved indoor coverage,” said ABI Research Analyst Dominique Bonte. “Driven by the involvement of cellular carriers, off-board handset-based navigation will grow strongly in North America, reaching a sales volume of 21 million units by 2012. It will be a catalyst for the uptake of location-based services such as search, friend finder and tracking features.”
Opportunities For Retailers To Capitalize On Timing Of Digital Camera Accessories
Digital camera consumers desire a host of camera accessories bundled in with their cameras, but many aren't buying what they need at the time they make their initial camera purchases, according to a new report from The NPD Group.
NPD reports that while digital still camera unit sales were up 20%, revenue increased by only 3%. Concurrently revenues from camera accessories (e.g., lenses, batteries, external flashes, filters and tripids) increased more than 50% during the same time period.
“As the camera market matures, marketers are increasingly challenged to bring new profits to the digital imaging ecosystem,” said Liz Cutting, Analyst for The NPD Group.
Highlighting the opportunities missed, NPD notes that presently 69% of point-and-shoot digital camera consumers and 54% of DSLR buyers leave the store without purchasing anything beyond what was included in the initial purchase price of their new digital cameras.
D-Link Offers Xtreme Gaming Router
D-Link has began shipping the next generation of its successful gaming router, the Draft 802.11n Xtreme N Gaming Router with GameFuel technology and built-in Network Activity Display.
The D-Link Xtreme N Gaming Router’s intelligent packet processing engine boosts gaming to maximum speeds to provide the ultimate “no lag” gaming experience.
Duracell Introduces Portable Power Products
Duracell is introducing 11 products for consumers who want power on-the-go. The new product lines range from small DC to AC pocket inverters to heavy-duty portable emergency power units. The product introductions fall into three categories - power packs, inverters, and automotive chargers.
“Duracell continues to offer innovative power solutions that extend beyond our core CopperTop battery business,” said Dan McCarthy, Director, Global Marketing, Duracell.
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Whirlpool Offers CEIVA Digital Photo Frame
Whirlpool’s centralpark connection with the CEIVA Digital Photo Frame, provides a place for consumers to display thousands of pictures without a single magnet.
“With the CEIVA Digital Photo Frame, consumers can have fresh pictures and food each day, while keeping the refrigerator door free of clutter,” said Mark Hamilton, Director, Centralpark System New Business Development.
Energizer Introduces Portable Power For iPod
The Energizer Energi To Go Portable Power for iPod is the first iPod charger to combine the power of Energizer e2 Lithium AA batteries and the portability of a compact, cord-free design. It features an intelligent control chip that maximizes power transfer to the iPod.
Mike Rivard, Energizer G.M., New Products, said, “The Energizer Energi To Go Portable Power for iPod features the kind of design that iPod owners appreciate and expect.”
Harbor Industries, Inc., offers an interactive CD Merchandiser that makes it easy for customers to sample music at the point of sale. The new Interactive CD Merchandiser contains a built in MP3 playback system designed for 24/7 commercial use. The merchandiser also includes a touch pad interface that is capable of displaying up to 24 selections. The fixture holds 48 CD's and has built in back up storage.
The unit is 26"X22"X9." For more information, contact Harbor Industries, Inc., 14130 172nd Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417; (Tel) 616-842-5330; (Web Site) www.harbor-ind.com.
Borders TV Launches
Borders is launching an in-store television network called “Borders® TV” in its superstores nationwide. Borders is teaming with Ripple, an interactive network of screens, in a unique collaboration to feature Borders’ exclusive, original video content-until now only available on the Web-in conjunction with Ripple’s geographically targeted lifestyle content. Through this cohesive offering, Borders will unite its online and store experiences.
Original programming includes the “Borders Book Club,” which offers discussions with noted authors, and the “Borders Kitchen,” featuring culinary experts. Through Ripple’s technology, screens at each Borders store location will be customized with geographically and demographically tailored news, entertainment, weather and community information on large-panel displays.
“Working with Ripple is another way that Borders will differentiate our stores,” said Michael Tam, Borders’ Sr. Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.
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