Pfaltzgraff Kiosk Provides ‘Virtual Inventory’
Pfaltzgraff, a leading manufacturer of casual dinnerware and accessories offers a large number of patterns, each with a varying number of pieces. One of Pfaltzgraff'’s goals is to offer consumers the most complete line of accessories for its dinnerware patterns. The Company wanted a kiosk to provide a tool to store staff that would allow them to easily help customers browse through the myriads of patterns. Pfaltzgraff also wanted the ability to access their Web-based gift registry system from the kiosk.
Livewire, a York, PA, based kiosk manufacturer, implemented a hybrid online kiosk application that leveraged Pfaltzgraff's existing web site to provide “virtual inventory” ordering capability to customers and salespeople in the stores. This virtual inventory system ensures that a customer will never be turned away from a purchase because their item is not in stock.
Blank Quilting Inspiration Center Debuts Nationwide
Quilters across the U.S. will find inspiration and easy access to the hottest designs on the market with the debut of the Blank Quilting Inspiration Center, which provides one-stop shopping for America's quilters patronizing independent fabric shops.
The Blank Quilting Inspiration Center is the in-store anchor of a major promotional push from Palatine, IL-based Responsive Marketing Communications.
As the Inspiration Center rolls out to more than 2,500 Blank Quilting independent retailers nationwide, the merchandiser will receive direct mail, trade and consumer advertising support targeting small, independent fabric shops.
The Blank Inspiration Center is constructed of durable steel with locking casters for easy placement anywhere in the retail environment. Every display will feature quilt project instructions, current promotional materials and the latest Blank fabric designs.
“The homespun feel of the traditional baker’s rack and with their smooth, elegant lines and soft curves were the inspiration for the merchandiser design,” said Carmen Bona, Director of Client Services for Responsive Marketing Communications. "We felt the design would strongly connect with the target audience at retail, given the homespun appeal of quilting. We used scalloped ornamental metal as a common element in five different sections."
“Because of the varying sizes of retail environments that were targeted as part of the promotion, from full-fledged traditional retail locations to boutique-style smaller shops, it was important that the display design accommodate a large amount of product in a small footprint,” said Rich Gausselin, V.P., Visual Marketing, Inc., manufacturer of the merchandiser. “We also made sure that the unit was easily updateable with information about new promotions and projects as part of the promotional cycle.”
Power-It-All Centers Launched At Circuit City Stores
Comarco and Kensington Consumer Products Group have rolled out Kensington’s Power-It-All centers, showcasing the full line of Comarco’s mobile power products in Circuit City stores.
Comarco’s power adaptors under the Kensington brand name enable consumers to charge multiple electronic devices, such as laptop computers, cellular telephones, and digital cameras with one compact power adapter.
The Power-It-All centers are “store-within-a-store” merchandising kiosks. “The store-within-a-store concept focuses the consumer on how this product portfolio can conveniently address their mobile power needs,” said Ian Lombard, Director, Product Strategy for the Kensington Technology Group. “It reflects our commitment to providing retailers with the added value of a powerful brand and effective merchandising solutions.”
Source 1 Ideal Store Program Supports Brand Image
The Ideal Store Program from Source 1, the aftermarket division of York International provides heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) parts distributors with a unified look to merchandise the Source 1 offering for the Luxaire, Coleman and York equipment lines.
The Ideal Store Program includes p.o.p. materials, lighted displays and signage, and shelving plan-o-grams.
“We wanted to dramatically elevate our parts business with both a merchandising package and parts offering that represented best in class in the industry,” said Renae Turnbaugh, Source 1 Marketing Manager. “The Ideal Store builds a consistent brand image for Source 1 and gives our distributors more reasons to buy all their parts through our buying group.”
Hearth & Home Develops Modular Point-Of-Sale System
Hearth & Home Technologies, a manufacturer of fireplaces and hearth products, wanted a comprehensive point-of-sale system for its Heat & Glo ™ and Quadra-Fire ® brands.
“We envisioned a solution that would promote awareness of our brands and help dealers boost sales of individual products,” said Alan Trusler, Sr. V.P., Retail Channel, Hearth & Home. “Since every dealer’s showroom is different, we had to have a flexible system.”
A modular system, designed by nParallel, a display agency located in Minneapolis, MN, included 40 individual elements featuring window cling signs, exterior and interior banners, design center kiosks, fixtures and light boxes.
“We’re confident this new point-of-sale system will enhance the retail experience for consumers and help drive the sales process,” Trusler said.
Sterling Promotions
KB Home And Martha Stewart Living Collaborate to Design, Build Homes
KB Home and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia are collaborating on the design of new homes, bringing together the architectural designs of one of the country’s leading homebuilders with the inspiration of a leading provider of ideas and products for the home.
The first community designed by KB Homes and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia will feature approximately 650 homes in the Town of Cary, NC. The community will include single-family homes, ranging from 1,500 to 4,100 sq. ft., priced from the low $200s to the mid $400s. Homebuyers will have the added advantage of choosing Martha Stewart’s favorites among the flooring, faucets, light fixtures, cabinetry and other items at the KB Home Studio in Raleigh, NC.
Preferences Of First-Time Homebuyers
For many first-time homebuyers, the American “Dream Home” is a new, suburban single-family home located in the southern U.S., according to the Century 21 First-Time Homebuyer Index.
When imagining where their “Dream Home” would be located, more respondents prefer suburban areas (46%) to rural (39%) or urban (15%). An overwhelming majority (78%) view their dream home as newly constructed. New construction is more appealing to younger respondents (83% for those aged 18 to 34, compared to 68% for those aged 35 to 64). The Southeast tallied the most votes at 27% followed by the Southwest in a close second at 23%, the Northeast (19%), Midwest (17%) and Northwest (14%).
Almost two-thirds of respondents (64%) believe it will take them more than five years to save the money needed to purchase their “Dream Home.” In contrast to their “Dream Home” aspirations, 73% of first-time homebuyers said they looked for resale homes while only 27% sought out new construction.
Some 78% of respondents paid or expected to pay less than $250,000 for their first home. The average first home price among respondents was $215,000. Over one-quarter (28%) of respondents did/will receive help with the down payment from family members.
Characteristics Of Senior Homebuyers
Most senior homebuyers stay within their home state when they retire, according to a report on home purchase behaviors of the senior market, conducted by the Senior Advantage Real Estate Council (SAREC). The study, “Moving Forward: 50 and Beyond,” revealed key differences in behaviors among “younger” seniors, those seniors 50 to 64 years of age, and “older” seniors, those 65 or more years of age.
The survey also revealed that not only did most senior homebuyers stay within their home state (82%), they moved less than 100 miles from their previous home. Younger seniors tended to move farther away from their previous residences than did older seniors. Of those senior homebuyers who did move to a new state (18%), the most popular choices were: Florida, 26%; Texas, 11%; Arizona, 8%; Nevada, 7% and Virginia, 6%.
Flavia Fusion Launches New Drinks Station
Flavia, the pioneer in single cup beverage systems, has introduced the Flavia Fusion drinks station for the home.
Rod Ofte, Marketing Director, said, “The new Flavia Fusion drinks station brings variety, convenience and great taste together in one appliance. No matter the drink selected, our technology and beverage recipes ensure a perfect cup every time.”
Hoover Introduces First Sport Utility Vacuum
Today’s larger homes require a single vacuum that can adjust to different carpet levels and transition from hard to delicate surfaces, both on and above the floor. Features of the new Hoover Z Bagless Upright vacuum include a DigiTouch control pad allowing for a seamless, automatic adjustment between surfaces and settings, and a patent-pending self-cleaning HEPA filter.
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