Nokia Flagship Store Opens On NYC’s Fifth Avenue
Nokia has opened a Flagship Store on New York City’s Fifth Avenue, providing an interactive, retail environment dedicated to pairing customers with the perfect wireless device.
The store invites guests to explore its three levels of retail space. Each product is displayed on a backdrop of multimedia displays and color-shifting walls. When a customer picks up a device, the multimedia screen behind the product changes from being part of a continuous band of full-motion graphics, to interactive information listing the features of that device. The second level of the store houses the Nseries Lounge, featuring Nokia’s most advanced wireless devices. The third level houses Nokia’s luxury line of handsets created by Vertu.
“A Fifth Avenue address is synonymous with superior service and an elegant shopping experience, which is what we are delivering in our New York Flagship location,” said Cliff Crosbie, Director, Retail & Trade Marketing for Nokia.
Motorola Pilots Robotic Retail Stores
Motorola has launched a pilot program to offer its products to consumers through robotic retail stores.
Leveraging small format robotic stores operated by Zoom Systems, the new retail option will be placed in high traffic locations.
“Continuing our effort to reinvent mobile retail culture and transform the consumer experience, this on-demand retail solution is an interesting approach to the many extensions of our retail strategy,” said Jason Few, V.P., Global Retail, Motorola.
These robotic stores will be branded “InstantMoto” and will be deployed in airports and malls nationwide.
IntelliMat’s Floor Displays Tested At Toronto-Area Malls
IntelliMat, Roanoke, VA, (www.intellimat.com) is launching a pilot program with The Source by Circuit City to place its digital video signage display mats in stores located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada- area malls.
The IntelliMat is a wireless computer embedded in a thin mat made of a lightweight thermoplastic alloy. With four LCD screens, IntelliMat creates a 30-inch diagonal display with full multi-media capability for lots of color, motion and sound.
The content on the Intellimat's LCD backlit video display can be changed easily and instantly, allowing the retailer to target customers by demographics and day parts. Retailers can highlight specific products or sales, and even broadcast messages.
Verizon Online DSL Displayed At Wal-Marts
Millions of shoppers at Wal-Mart stores can now get connected with Verizon Online DSL when they visit the stores' Wal-Mart Connection Center departments.
“Now that more than half of all new broadband customers are choosing DSL over cable high-speed Internet service, Wal-Mart is the perfect place for us to educate consumers about our DSL services and to sign up customers,” said Mary Yarbrough, Vice President of Channel Development, for Verizon.
Specially trained Wal-Mart Connection Center associates at the stores will help shoppers use an easy, automated ordering system that checks eligibility for Verizon DSL service and then lets them quickly and easily place their order.
DaySpring Displays Plush Bear Photo Frame
DaySpring Cards is using this corrugated tree display to support the sale of this plush bear with photo frame for $5.97 with the purchase of 3 DaySpring cards.
The objective of this display was to provide a merchandising environment that not only enhanced the plush cuddly bear product, but provided a creative fun home at retail and drew customers in to the promotion.
The tree display was made of corrugate construction utilizing full litho mounted/die cut components. 850 “Know What Bear Floor Displays” were distributed to Christian retail stores in the U.S. The displays were created for DaySpring by Great Northern Corp., a point-of-purchase display firm located in Racine, WI.
Kodak Debuts Digital Printing Center In Supermarkets
Kodak wanted to create a digital printing center that works in a variety of Supervalu supermarket store formats. It also wanted to create a space efficient alternative to its traditional Kodak Picture Maker cabinet which consumes a large footprint in-store and can only handle one customer at a time.
This 4-sided digital printing center island removes Kodak’s printing equipment from its traditional Kodak Picture Maker cabinet, creating savings in floor space. The familiar Kodak graphics and signature color create immediate awareness of the function as a photography destination. The unit is engineered to be modular and can be reconfigured or added onto at store level.
The 4-way Kodak Digital Printing Center was designed and produced by Mechtronics, a White Plains, NY-based p.o.p. display company.
Borders Spinner Rack Displays Franklin Electronic Devices
Franklin Electronic Publishers has placed spinner displays at Borders containing Franklin’s electronic handheld editions of best-selling reference works, including the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the Merriam-Webster Spanish-English Dictionary and The Princeton Review’s Pocket Prep Handheld Interactive Tutor for the SAT & ACT.
The displays are positioned alongside print volumes. The 12x12x72 spinner display is constructed of MDF slatwall and holds 4 facings on a side.
Bill Nasshan, Sr. V.P., Merchandising, Borders Group, said, “The addition of Franklin products to our reference selections underscores our commitment to offering the finest references available, both in print and convenient searchable handhelds.”
Bang & Olufsen Debuts New Store Concept
Bang & Olufsen America, the North American supplier of Danish high end home theaters and custom multi room music systems, has introduced a new 650 sq. ft. store concept, with the first of eight stores to open this fall, beginning with Dallas, TX and then San Jose, CA. The 650 sq. ft. store concept will mirror the larger, full "B1" showrooms with its Scandinavian design and real-life home environments.
The new store concept will represent the full Bang & Olufsen product portfolio and will include three separate home theater set-ups. It will utilize structurally angled walls and rotating walls for space efficiency with Bang & Olufsen’s signature characteristic of magical motion and smooth operation.
The new retail renovation highlights the Company's product integration capabilities in providing state-of-the-art home theaters that converge with various atmosphere control modules, lighting, draperies, etc. alongside its distinct Danish designs.
m-Venue Debuts At McDonald’s
McDonald’s at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL has launched m-Venue, a patent-pending entertainment and marketing platform from Akoo International, that enables McDonald's customers to search, select and “activate” in-store digital content-including music, music videos, and movie previews-with their mobile phones or Internet-connected mobile devices.
m-Venue allows patrons to choose a wide variety of audio and video content from Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Sony Pictures, among others, via text messaging, the mobile internet, or a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop. Selections are performed on demand in designated multimedia zones within the restaurant.
Since the m-Venue platform also tracks consumers’ usage behaviors and preferences in a non-intrusive way, McDonald's locations will be able to employ more effective mobile-based promotions, loyalty and rewards programs, and opt-in targeted marketing campaigns.
Kohl’s To Offer Food Network Products
Kohl’s and the Food Network have formed an exclusive licensing relationship to develop a Food Network-branded line of home goods, including cookware, dinnerware, kitchen gadgets, cutlery, pantryware and food storage, kitchen electrics and table linens.
This marks the first home merchandise launch for Food Network. In addition to offering new merchandise, Kohl's and Food Network will integrate marketing opportunities with Food Network programs and celebrity chefs.
“We are thrilled to bring the strength of Food Network into this new arena and believe that our relationship with Kohl’s will extend our brand into the marketplace in an exciting new way,” said Brooke Johnson, President, Food Network.
Taubman Malls And Warner Bros. Feature Holiday ‘Happy Feet’ Snow Globes
Taubman Centers is partnering with Warner Bros. Pictures to showcase scenes from the new Warner Bros. movie, “Happy Feet,” in an innovative, interactive snow globe display. The exhibit brings to life key moments from the film and includes a 20-foot walk-through snow globe, where a cold Antarctic blast and falling snow welcome visitors to the hero Mumble’s home. There are three, 6-foot snow globes with buttons to launch interactive elements; a walk-through 28-foot holiday tree and a “green screen” where children can pose for holiday pictures with Mumble and other characters featured in the film.
Mimi Slavin, Sr. V.P., National Promotions, Warner Bros. Pictures, said, “The snow globes transform the Taubman shopping centers into magical holiday destinations, immersing visitors in an interactive entertainment experience.”The “Happy Feet” snow globe exhibit was created by the Becker Group, Baltimore, MD.
Circuit City Launches firedog
Responding to a growing demand for help with using and enjoying electronic products, Circuit City Stores has created the firedog brand to provide a new level of personal computer services, home theater installation and integration of home electronics. Firedog branded fixtures, vehicles and uniformed personnel will begin appearing at more than 600 Circuit City Superstores across the country to provide in-store and in-home PC services.
“We chose the name firedog because it evokes the kind of qualities we intend our technicians and installers to provide: helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and reliable,” said Philip Schoonover, CEO of Circuit City Stores. “When it comes to improving consumers’ relationship with technology, we want firedog to be your best friend.”
Playing Music Continues To Be Important To Americans
A new U.S. Gallup Poll reveals Americans of all ages are continuing to pursue music making according to the report “2006 Music USA,” from NAMM, the trade association for the music products industry.
85% of Americans believe that music is a very important part of their life. 82% of Americans wish they had learned to play a musical instrument and 67% expressed an interest in learning to play. 94% of respondents believe music is part of a well-rounded education.
Guitars are currently the highest selling musical instruments in America-approximately 3.4 million sold in 2005. Overall, the fretted products industry is a $1.4 billion dollar industry in the U.S. However, more Americans play the piano (31%) than the guitar or bass (28%).
DFC Intelligence Forecasts Video Game Market To Reach $44 Billion By 2011
The worldwide video game and interactive entertainment industry is expected to grow from about $29 billion in 2005 to as much as $44 billion in 2011, forecasts DFC Intelligence Worldwide.
The biggest area of uncertainty is which video game console system will be dominant. DFC forecasts that overall market growth is about the same for each of the new video game systems, the Sony PlayStation 3, the Nintendo Wii and the Microsoft Xbox 360.
“Three solid video game systems are competing for market share and it will probably be two-to-three years before a true leader is determined,” said David Cole, DFC analyst. By 2011 we forecast that all console software combined will only account for about a third of worldwide sales,” said Cole. With multiple console platforms, a growing portable market and online game market, Cole argues that platform diversity is the key to success for video game marketers.
NPD Study Shows 45% Of Heavy Video Gamers Are Six- To Seventeen
Contrary to popular belief that most video game players, and particularly “serious” video gamer players, are 18- to 34-year-old males, 45% of the Heavy Gamer segment and nearly one-in-three Avid Console Gamers, the largest overall segment, are between the ages of six and 17, according to The NPD Group’s recently released Video Gamer Segmentation Report.
According to this Video Gamer Segmentation Report, Heavy Gamers’ demographic/gender parameters also expand beyond 18- to 34-year-old males: 21% of this segment is female.
The Heavy Gamer segment comprises only 3% of the total game playing population, contrary to common assumption that these serious gamers constitute a larger percentage of the game-playing population and retail sales dollars.
Those in the Prefer Portable segment may also be older than previously thought, according to the report. While the majority of these gamers are under 18 years of age, one in three is 18-44 years old.
Microsoft Releases Zune
Microsoft has unveiled its Zune brand to create new ways for consumers to share entertainment experiences.
Zune includes a 30GB digital media player, and the Zune Marketplace music service. The Zune device features wireless technology and 3” screen that allows users to show off music, picture and video, and to customize the experience with personal pictures or themes.
Polaris Introduces ATVs Designed for Girls
Polaris is coupling its best-selling line of youth all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and its entry-level Phoenix model to be the first major ATV manufacturer to offer ATVs geared specifically for girls. The “Pink Power” models are available in several models, replete with matching pink helmet so girls can ride in style.
Fossil & Sony Ericsson Launch Bluetooth Watches
Fossil and Sony Ericsson are integrating watches and mobile phones by teaming up to roll out several lines of Bluetooth wireless technology-enabled watches.
Fossil will be introducing the Abacus Mobilewear and Fossil Caller ID watches and Sony Ericsson will be introducing its own line of jointly developed products.
All watches will seamlessly link to most Sony Ericsson Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones.
Sony Launches eBook
Sony is debuting the Sony Reader Portable Reader System in conjunction with the premiere of its Connect eBook store, making available more than 10,000 eBook titles to download to the Reader via the companion PC software. The Sony Reader couples an innovative electronic paper display with simple on-screen controls and stylish design. Travelers can carry as much as they want to read and with a battery life equivalent to roughly 7,500 continuous page turns.
Ron Hawkins, Sony Electronics’ V.P., Portable Reader Systems Marketing, said, “The Reader fulfills the promise of electronic reading.”
Nintendo Debuts Wii
Nintendo’s Wii home video game console will launch as an affordable, game system at a suggested retail price of $249.99. The price includes one wireless Wii Remote Controller, a Nunchuk Controller and a collection of five different Wii Sports games on one disc. Wii also features a first-of-its-kind controller whose position can be detected in a 3-D space.
Reggie Fils-Aime, President, Nintendo, said, “Wii breaks the wall separating players from non-players by delivering the best game experiences for the most affordable price. The next leap is games for the masses-young and old, gamer or non, alone, with a friend or with the family.”
Blue Man Group-Making Waves, is a national touring exhibit supported by Harman/Becker Automotive Systems powered by JBL technology. The 1,500 sq. ft. exhibit takes the whole family through a multi-sensory exploration of sound that provides an opportunity to discover the fun of music. At the Slide-u-lum, Build-u-lum, Sand Drum and Theramin, children will have an opportunity to see, feel and create sound. At the PVC Station, visitors can play Blue Man Group instruments, and the whole experience culminates in the Surround Sound Theater with a musical piece by Blue Man Group.
Bombay Sapphire Ties In With Cirque du Soleil
Bombay Sapphire, a super-premium gin, is collaborating with the world famous Cirque du Soleil, becoming the first spirit ever to be featured at Cirque du Soleil Tapis Rouge Lounges.
Bombay Sapphire is the official spirit of Cirque du Soleil in the U.S. and will be the only featured spirit served in the intimate Tapis Rouge. This alliance, which also includes premier parties, highlights Bombay Sapphire's ongoing support and celebration of artistic expression, as well as the brand's ability to develop meaningful and relevant associations with today's adult consumer.
“We are thrilled to be aligning with a brand that so similarly strives for excellence and commits to upholding the creativity, innovation and genuine expression that signifies Bombay Sapphire,” said Giles Woodyer, Bombay Sapphire Senior Marketing Manager.
H&M’s Flagship Displays Interactive Window
CeeLite, Lansdale, PA, (www.ceelite.com) collaborated with BluOcean Media, New York City, to create an interactive illuminated window display for H&M’s New York flagship store.
The display introduced pop icon, Madonna as H&M’s new celebrity spokesperson.
BluOcean Media’s large format graphics illuminated by CeeLite's Light Emitting Capacitor (LEC) panels, were suspended from the ceilings of floor-to-ceiling windows. The project utilized 72 3' x 5' CeeLite LEC panels to illuminate five two-story high images of Madonna.
Digital Kwik-Kleen
This 2-sided 24" wide metal fixture for the Digital Kwik-Kleen digital media cleaning system can be strategically positioned in high traffic areas for maximum product exposure. The wire grid back panels add versatility by accepting a variety of merchandising accessories. Large curved side panels and oversized headers can be customized to create the look of a custom display. The protective steel deck and heavy-duty casters create a solid base for a long life in the field. This display was created by Thorco, Industries, Inc., 1300 E. 12th Street, Lamar, MO 64759, (Tel) 888-484-6726, (Web Site) www.thorco.com.
bmobile Large-Format Backlit Display
This large-format indoor backlit display was produced for bmobile to grab consumer attention. The design allowed for easy shipping, handling and installation. The bright, even illumination and superb styling provided an attractive, effective display. The bmobile large-format indoor backlit display was produced by Clearr Corp., 6325 Sandburg Road, Minneapolis, MN 55427, (Tel) 800-548-3269, (Web Site) www.clearrcorp.com.
Island Display produces the Skybox, a stock ceiling display which was used by Shure to promote its drum microphones. The Skybox makes use of ceiling space as an advertising medium that is uncluttered by other product displays. "The Skybox was an instant success with both brand and retailers alike," said Frank Robinson, Nova Marketing. "It's a stunning presentation for a stock product." For more information about the Skybox, contact Island Display, 1601 Harvest Glen Drive, Flower Mound, TX 75028, (Web Site) www.islanddisplay.com.
Alpak Display Group can provide "Stock" Pallet Pack, Half-Pallet Pack, Quarter Pallet Pack for placement at major retailers. The unit shown involved Sony Walkmans and clock radios. This display was fortified to hold over 200 pounds of product. It consists of a base, trays, side panels, shelves and Header all 4color lithography plus aqueous varnish. The average time from stock display to shipment is 2 days; for custom printed stock display,12 days. For more information, contact Alpak Display Group, 575 N. Midland Avenue, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663, (Web Site) www.alpak.com.
Southern Imperial's stock EMLine displays can be mixed and matched to display DVDs, CDs, Magazines, PC Games, books, and more. EMLine kits are durable and versatile for lightweight or heavy products. Each profile is constructed of a nearly unbreakable polycarbonate extrusion. Each bracket is designed of high strength, stamped steel. For more information, contact Southern Imperial, Inc., 1400 Eddy Avenue, Rockford, IL 61104, (Web Site) www.southernimperial.com.
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