ScareCrow Display Attracts Customers
Contech Electronics, Victoria, British Columbia, developer of the ScareCrow® motion-activated animal deterrent for gardeners, has introduced this animated point-of-purchase display, which features a ScareCrow® motion-activated sprinkler, safely encased behind a clear waterproof shield. When a customer walks past, the ScareCrow POP responds with a sudden blast of water.
Mark Grambart, Chief Executive Officer of Contech Electronics, said, “The new ScareCrow P.O.P. display gets an instant response - customers like it because they can try the product in the store, and retailers like it because it demonstrates just how well the ScareCrow works.”
The ScareCrow motion-activated sprinkler protects flowers, vegetables and fish ponds from animal intruders. It automatically detects animals as they approach, and repels them with a startling burst of water.
Virtual Model Home Tours Debut
Human-scale virtual model home tours are making their debut for the first three Lennar enclaves at Central Park West--Irvine, CA’s first urban master-planned community.
“After selecting the Lennar neighborhood that fits their lifestyle, home shoppers are invited for virtual tours,” said Denise Hayes, V.P., Marketing for Lennar’s Orange Coast Land Division, developer of Central Park West. “Home shoppers actually step into the homes’ interior via human-scale videos that create life-sized virtual homes-showing amazing detail, and all the dimensional changes and floorplan variations people experience as they physically walk through model homes.”
This new technology allows for interactive home viewing from the comfort of a leather recliner in a private screening room.
Storm Depot Opens First Of 12 Planned Hurricane Protection Retail Stores
Storm Depot has opened its first Retail Hurricane Protection Outlet in Jensen Beach, Florida. The store is the first of a planned 12-store chain to be in place before the start of the 2007 Hurricane season.
The stores will sell a wide selection of hurricane shutters, hardware and related materials, which are all approved under the Florida Building Code.
Each store will also offer installation services through licensed professionals.
American Homeowners Increasingly Cherish Their Outdoor Space
The “outdoor room” characterized by design and landscape experts as a defined outside area with a cooking, eating and sitting/entertaining place-has become significantly more important to American homeowners during the last three years, according to the newest Weber Outdoor Room Tracking Study.
According to the first study released in 2003, 38% of the respondents said the design of their outdoor room was just as important as the rooms inside their home; the latest study reflects a sizable 11% increase to 49%. In addition, among those who own a gas grill priced over $1,000, 11% say their outdoor room design is “more important” than their interior rooms, and 67% say it’s “equally important.”
The amount of money outdoor room owners are spending to create their outside sanctuary has nearly doubled since the 2003 study, from an average of $5,400 to an average of $10,000. The percentage of those spending more than $10,000 increased from 17 to 28%. Those who have built-in gas grills have increased their outdoor room expenditures nearly three-fold from an average of $11,600 to $33,800. A barbecue grill and outdoor dining components still top the list of items in the outdoor room, and respondents report that they spend 59% of their time in their outdoor room grilling. Some 48% have “other lighting” in their outdoor room, and outside stereo systems/speakers is up to 42% vs. 38% in 2003. Televisions are up to 15% from 9%. Ownership of an outdoor fireplace has doubled from 16% in 2003 to 32%.
Women’s Home Improvement Buying Power Is Increasing
Women’s buying power is increasing in the home improvement sector, particularly in the outdoor power equipment market. According to a survey by Troy-Bilt, an outdoor power equipment marketer, women are influencing 44% of all outdoor power equipment purchases - 21 percent of all outdoor power equipment is purchased by women and another 23 percent is purchased by men and women together.
Women’s decision-making authority has significantly increased over the last decade and manufacturers are responding with revamped products to fit their needs.
Sterling Promotions
Dolce Vita Therabed Pet Beds Debut
Dolce Vita Therabed pet beds, a complete line of heated pet beds in a variety of sizes for dogs and cats, has been introduced by Bellevue, WA-based ColdHeat. The Therabed Pet beds feature a Flat Screen Heater heat-spreading technology that evenly distributes heat to eliminate hot spots, and a proprietary thermal control that limits the heat to keep a pet’s body temperature in its normal range.
Febreze Launches Freshness Challenge Tour
Febreze has launched the Freshness Challenge Tour, giving consumers the chance to audition for a spot in a commercial.
At each city stop, consumers will have the opportunity to audition to be in the next Febreze commercial through the “Fresh New Face” contest, by displaying their best freshness lover impersonations.
“As a reward for participating in the challenge, we thought consumers would like the chance to be a part of our next commercial, said Eric Huston, brand manager ”
The Ryobi One+ Project Center was created to enhance consumer awareness of the Ryobi One+ product line. This was accomplished by using dynamic tool graphics surrounding a large vacuum formed battery illustrating to the consumer that One powerful 18 volt battery works with the entire family of tools thus allowing you to purchase a Ryobi combo kit or buy 18 volt tools as your project dictates or your budget allows. This unit enables the consumer to physically handle and evaluate the tools available for purchase. Take home product and accessories are immediately available for an easy purchase. This display won a Gold OMA in the Home & Garden category and was created by E-B Display Company, Inc., 1369 Sanders Ave. S.W., Massillon, OH 44648.
Scotts Miracle Gro LiquaFeed Display. Scott's wanted a display that gives consumers the opportunity to "touch and feel" the product at shelf level. The display had to be able to endure the sometimes "harsh" environment of Home Depot retail garden centers. The streamlined design allowed for minimal interference with the product on-shelf. Created by New Dimensions Research, Spagnoli Road, Melville, NY 11747. BRONZE AWARD.
3M Scotch Tape Dispenser. To achieve engineering goals, clear pet-g with 4 spot color screen prints, black polystyrene back and center suports along with two metal brackets, were used. Its unique shape complements the product and also has the ability to effectively display 4 types of tape. The display also holds a high volume of product in a compact space and is durable enough to hang as a power wing. Created by Marketing Impact Limited, 55 Administration Road, Unit 7, Concord, Ontario, Canada L4K 4G9. SILVER AWARD.
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