New V2K Kiosk Sells Window Treatments At Retail
V2K Window Fashions will be placing this V2K Kiosk in retail outlets in strategic locations throughout the US and Canada. The kiosk is designed so that the customer can see various window treatments, both soft goods (fabrics) and hard goods (blinds, shades & shutters) and eye catching signage.
The unmanned kiosks will have live product custom window fashion samples and V2K franchisees will provide the infrastructure for order fulfillment on behalf of the retailer. V2K’s proprietary 3-D software creates a three-dimensional room 100% to scale for viewing. Selections are made from hundreds of window treatment designs and fabric options. Next the choices are imported on to the virtual room for viewing of the window treatment along with instant pricing.
Kwikset Offers New SmartKey With BumpGuard
Kwikset is displaying SmartKey™ nationwide, a new lock technology that provides consumers with the ability to re-key locks quickly and easily for improved access control and one key convenience. In three simple steps that take less than 30 seconds, homeowners can match multiple locks to one key, or replace a lost or loaned key with a new, secure key, all while the lock remains in place.
“We know there are countless reasons that lead homeowners to want to change their locks,” said Eric Lundquist, Director, Brand Marketing, Kwikset. “We developed SmartKey to empower consumers to conveniently and affordably control their home’s access and security.”
Environmental Concerns, Healthy Eating, Home Remodeling Key Trends In 2008
The IHA Consumer Advisory Council created by Riedel Marketing Group (RMG) for the International Housewares Association (IHA) recently identified emerging home-related trends by surveying HomeTrend Influentials. The majority of those surveyed said they have switched to environmentally-friendly, organic or natural cleaning products. Nearly all report they recycle and 87% are actively trying to reduce energy use.
According to the survey, 52% have made major changes in their eating habits for a healthier diet. Most significantly, they have switched to organic food products and increased the amount of fruits and vegetables in their diets. Some 29% now use new food preparation products they were not using three months previously. They include food processors, choppers, juicers and slicers. Some purchased blenders to make smoothies or protein drinks, while others now use tools such as mandolines, peelers or apple slicers to make it easier to prepare fruits and vegetables. And some purchased cookware such as steamers or woks to help cook healthier foods.
Remodeling and redecorating are still the great pastime but there is some indication HomeTrend Influentials are putting off projects because of the downturn in the housing market.
Research Shows Shift In Home Improvement Trends
As the housing economy slows and energy costs accelerate, Americans are looking for home improvement projects that work to add value to their home and add to their monthly savings. In a national study conducted by Kelton Research for Pella Corp., over two in five (44%) homeowners surveyed said that if presented with the free services of a contractor, window replacement would be more important than a variety of popular home improvements like a kitchen remodel, installing new carpeting, landscaping the yard or building a new deck.
“A majority of American homeowners said their windows aren't energy-efficient enough,” said Elaine Sagers, V.P., Marketing Pella Windows & Doors. “Many consumers are looking for ways to reduce how much their house costs them in monthly bills and upkeep.”
Sterling Promotions
Kohler Launches VibrAcoustic Bath
Kohler Co. has launched the Fountainhead VibrAcoustic bath. Four VibrAcoustic experiences envelop the bather in a multi-sensory environment that synchronizes music, vibration and light with water. The bather hears the music and also feels it streaming in from one of the four preset Fountainhead experiences.
Maytag Bravos Introduces Steam In Dryer
The new Maytag Bravos top-loading laundry pair introduces steam in the dryer to relax wrinkles, remove odors and refresh clothing.
“It’s a new way of thinking about laundry,” said Blane Buckingham, Maytag Marketing Director. “Many clothing items, like sweaters or skirts that have only been worn once, may not need a wash and dry cycle. The Maytag Bravos steam dryer quickly refreshes and deodorizes these items so they can be worn again.”
Poggenpohl Presents Porsche Kitchen For Men
Porsche Design Group and Poggenpohl are presenting their first co-designed P'7340 kitchen in the U.S. The Porsche Design kitchen, designed especially for men, responds to trends that show an increasing number of men are interested in cuisine and entertaining.
The kitchen will be sold in Poggenpohl studios around the world.
Clarity Debuts New Amplified Telephone
Clarity has introduced the C4230 amplified phone, featuring an ice cream scooper-shaped sound chamber ear piece, which makes telephone conversations clearer and more comfortable for the millions of people with hearing or mobility challenges.
Carsten Trads, President of Clarity, said, “We looked at how we could get the loudest, most comfortable conversations out of a cordless amplified telephone that also interacted in the best way possible with our end users. We discovered that an ice cream scooper provides an interface that is easy to hold and use.”
TM Shea Products offers a newly expanded line of AMMOStrip™ display systems. AMMOStrips now feature newly added mounting bracket options: an UnderShelf bracket that extend strips from the edge of metal shelving, a pallet rack bracket that securely attaches to pallet rack uprights, and an adjustable PowerArm® that adjusts from 12" to 22" from a plan-o-gram and attaches to pegboard or uprights. For more information, contact TM Shea Products, 984 Livernois Road, Troy, MI 48083; (Tel) 800-992-5233; (Web Site) www.tmshea.com
Ryobi Lithium Home Depot Endcap
This display was designed to support the national launch of the new Ryobi One+™battery and new tool family in Home Depot and to create a dominant brand awareness of the product. The bright green of the Lithium brand dominates the display with its brightly printed graphics and the use of bright green edge glowing acrylic. The heavy-duty base is made of ¾" wood. The product inventory is conveniently located below the display where consumers could further research product features. The Ryobi Lithium Home Depot Endcap won a Gold OMA in the Mass Merchandiser Retailer Category and was created by Meyers, 7277 Boone Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55428.
Valley Forge Flag House Pallet Display
This display was produced for placement in Lowe's Stores. The eye-catching corrugated display, which mimics the appearance of a house, incorporates a wide variety of U.S. Flag products. Valley Forge Flag reports that this display generated a 40% increase in sales at Lowe's Stores. The Valley Forge Flag House Pallet Display won a Gold OMA Home and Garden Category and was created by Weber Displays & Packaging, 3500 Richmond Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134.
SCJ Glade Kroger Holiday Pre-Built Display. This display was designed to be easy to execute at retail, eliminating the need for in-store assembly and loading, offering a faster start on sales. The unique design allowed over 400 pounds of prepacked product to ship through the normal supply chain as a pallet and easily transform into a mobile display at retail with a pallet jack in less than one minute. Created by Great Northern Corporation Consumer Packaging and Display, l800 South Street, Racine, WI 53404. BRONZE AWARD.
Topcon Trade Show Exhibit Inflatable Globe
This unique inflatable globe was produced from digitally printed artwork to create a backlit inflatable with one flat side that was hoisted to the ceiling. The inflatable was used by Exhibitgroup/Giltspur for the Topcon Positioning Systems booth. The inflatable was the centerpiece of the exhibit and was required to be eye-catching and engaging. Digital artwork was wrapped around a skeleton then backlit with two T4 Fluorescent lights. This resulted in a beautiful reproduction that simulated looking down on the earth from up in space. The inflatable received numerous flattering comments by attendees at the Las Vegas Conexpo Show. For more information on this inflatable, contact Landmark Creations International, 3240 West Co. Rd 42, Burnsville, MN 55337.
Abcor offers “Powder on Wood” which was used on the display shown to highlight the form, fit and function of the designed base. Abcor machined the MDF and powder coated the green MDF parts, which were then packaged complete by the display manufacturer. Abcor Powder on Wood has three high speed routers, two automatic sanders and an electrostatic powder coat line to finish parts for the P.O.P and display industries. For more information, contact www.abcorindustries.com.
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