Sprint ION Service Featured At In-Store Kiosks
Sprint has begun marketing its integrated communications system, Sprint ION, to residential and small business customers. Sprint ION provides integrated local and long-distance voice services, multiple phone lines, advanced calling features (like Caller ID), high-speed Internet access and customer-controllable features over a single connection to the home or business.
Sprint has set up retail kiosks to demonstrate Sprint ION features in Sprint PCS and CompUSA stores.
“With Sprint ION, consumers are able to conduct multiple phone calls, receive faxes, run advanced applications like videoconferencing and use the Internet at speeds up to 100 times faster than they can with conventional modems,” said Len Lauer, President of Sprint’s Consumer Services Group. Larry Mondry, Exec. V.P., Merchandising, CompUSA, said, “The ability to present a Sprint ION allows us to continue to be a total solutions provider.”
Gap Introduces In-Store Web Lounges
Eight high-traffic Gap and GapKids stores have recently introduced “Web lounges” that enable Gap to coordinate its online efforts closely with its retail outlets.
The Web lounges encourage buyers with comfortable couches and sleek gray computer terminals hooked up to the gap.com Web site. Once online, Gap customers have access to virtually everything available in Gap stores, with even a greater selection and more sizes online. Gap plans to introduce more Web lounges at stores across the country.
Red Wing Shoe Debuts Flagship Store
Red Wing wanted to expand its brand awareness and challenged STEINDESIGN, Minneapolis, MN, to create a retail environment that depicts its brands in their appropriate settings.
Red Wing’s brick storefront, reminiscent of the local neighborhood cobbler, symbolizes the quality of the products. Housed within the recreation of the 1920’s shoe store is an interpretive center that educates consumers on the history of Red Wing shoes through museum-like displays, and interactive video.
Consumers are encouraged to test the products in “theme appropriate” natural settings. A footbridge over a waterfall, adjacent to a cabin porch setting, depicts brands Vasque and Irish Setter’s outdoor and recreational themes. The Redwing and WORX brands are portrayed in a construction site/roadwork venue complete with a municipal truck from the City of Red Wing.
In-Store Kiosks Bring New Shopping Options To Ames’ Store Customers
Shoppers at select Ames Department Stores will now be able to expand their shopping experience by purchasing items directly from the discount retailer’s new e-commerce providers at electronic kiosks in the stores. Developed in conjunction with IBM Global Services, the strategy extends the Ames store beyond its four walls with offerings not available in the store.
Customers will be able to easily purchase flowers and jewelry at pcflowers.com, select specialty foods and gifts at hickoryfarms.com, get quick and clever problem solvers to make life easier around the home at improvementscatalog.com, shop for fine plus-size women’s apparel at silhouettes.com, and purchase distinctive and highly functional kitchen and home products from kitchenandhome.com
Federated Links With NCR For E-Commerce Initiative
Federated Department Stores is piloting kiosks from NCR Corp. in selected locations, offering shoppers the ability to “shop, swipe and send” their holiday or wedding gifts.
The kiosks will offer consumers another shopping alternative, in addition to traditional in-store shopping and Web-based shopping, while providing Federated with a more complete view of consumers’ preferences. Three NCR kiosks are being installed in Macy’s flagship Herald Square store in New York City, featuring a product locator function to help shoppers find their way around the largest store on Earth.
Leading E-Tailer, SecureRite.com To Merchandise Brick & Mortar Stores
The largest online retailer of home security products, SecureRite.com, will employ its sales staff to help hundreds of independent retailers merchandise their brick and mortar stores using SecureRite.com-branded products, signage and displays.
“By building a familiar brand in SecureRite.com and by helping locksmiths merchandise their stores, we’re adding significant value to their affiliation with us, and we’re helping them compete with large retailers,” said Marshall Merrifield, CEO of SecureRite.com.
Lids ‘Cash Card’ Provides Solution For Customers Without Credit Cards
Lids, the Westwood, MA-based leader in headwear retailing has introduced the industry’s first seamless cash card system with the “Lids Gift Card,” developed by Fort Point Partners, San Francisco. The “Lids Gift Card” system solves Lids’ problem of serving a demographic without credit cards.
Lids Cards can be purchased with cash or credit at either online or brick and mortar stores and can be used in either channel. In addition to the purchasing flexibility offered by the Lids Card, online customers are allowed to return items to Lids’ brick-and-mortar locations. Kiosks in the stores offer customers access to the online store’s impressive variety of merchandise.
“Lids views e-commerce as a tremendous opportunity, but we want to make sure that our online commerce destination would offer the same level of customer service and merchandise as our growing retail business,” said Nancy Babine-Kucinski, President and COO, Lids.
More Individuals Using Online Coupons
Nearly one-third of Internet users are saving via online coupons, according to a new study by The NPD Group, Port Washington, NY. According to NPD, 30% of the Web population used online coupons in October 2000, compared with 23% six months prior.
Increased awareness is helping to drive the interest in e-coupon clipping and usage, the study reported. Fifty-nine percent of those polled in October said they were aware of online coupons, versus 49% in March. Increased awareness was even stronger among Web individuals who said they had used any type of coupon in the past month. Eighty percent of these coupon users were aware of e-coupons, compared to 66% six months ago. Fifty-two percent versus 41% obtained them, and 40% versus 30% actually used them. The study also found that while almost a third of the respondents used e-coupons, 39% had clipped them online compared to 31% previously, showing that not all clipped e-coupons are being used. Eighty percent of those aware of the coupons said their usage will rise in the future.
Most online coupon users are between the ages of 25-44 (55%). A third of the online coupon redeemers have household incomes over $75,000; 35% have incomes between $45,000 and $75,000; and 33% earn under $45,000. Some 45% of online coupon users were males.
eOsk.com has introduced the eOSK, an interactive terminal with rich multimedia technology that provides public access to electronic commerce, dynamic advertising and interactive promotions. Three Bloomingdale’s stores in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles recently installed eOsks. Through eOSKs, customers in other Bloomingdale’s stores will be able to experience the ambiance, products and atmosphere at Bloomingdale’s flagship store. Each eOSK at Bloomingdale’s will act as a stand alone retail store, offering gift suggestions for purchasing both in-store or online. For more information, contact eOSK.com, 10 West 18th St., New York, NY 10011; (Tel) 212-352-1960; (Fax) 212-352-2293; (Web) www.eosk.com.
Factura designs and manufactures high impact kiosk enclosures, including ready-to-ship kiosk solutions. For more information, contact Factura Kiosks, 3025 South Winton Road, Rochester, NY 14623; (Tel) 800-367-5467, 716-424-4300, (Fax) 716-424-4335; (Web site) www.factura.com.
Imagicast Inc. has developed a turnkey merchandising service that brings internet marketing to the retail floor. The service revolves around shoebox-sized interactive Internet appliances that tailor sales messages to individual consumers based on the shopping preferences they express as they click from item to item. Linked to a central database by a two-way wireless wide area network, the appliances display a wide range of product-related information that is continually updated by Imagicast. This includes full-motion demonstrations delivered via a built-in DVD player. For more information, contact Imagicast, (Tel) 612-249-1936, (Web) www.imagicast.com.
Cirque Corp., original developer of GlidePoint touchpad technology, introduces a new solution for pointing on heavy-use computer kiosks. The patent-pending kiosk touch panel combines Cirque’s durable solid-state touchpad with a simple, intuitive design that’s easy for first-time users. In addition to pressure-free fingertip control, the new kiosk device gives users instant access to horizontal and vertical scrolling with just a glide of the finger. And three virtual buttons embossed on the pad’s surface provide access to “click,” “double-click” and “drag” operations while eliminating the need for unreliable mechanical buttons, making the new touch panel ideal for kiosks in public environments. For more information, contact Cirque Corp., (Tel) 888-TOUCH-90, 801-467-1100, (Web) www.cirque.com.
New Technology Helps Stores Personalize Shopping Experience
Coinstar Inc., a coin counting and e-services company, has launched a new Web site and in-store kiosk that uses internet technology to save consumers time and money when planning meals and shopping for groceries.
Using My-Meals.com consumers will be able to browse through more than 10,000 recipes with the click of a mouse. After planning the meal, My-Meals.com will make it easier than ever for consumers to buy what they need by adding all of the necessary groceries to their shopping list. Consumers can add or delete items from the shopping list at any time. The Shopper Kiosk allows consumers to print out their shopping list at the grocery store. It will also present coupons and promotional offers specifically for items on the list.
For more information, contact Coinstar, P.O. Box 91258, Bellevue, WA 98004; (Tel) 425-943-8000; (web) www.coinstar.com.
Burger King Installs Virtual Fun Center
Burger King sought to build brand loyalty among children and their parents. This interactive touch screen kiosk was created for children. The units are an extension of the restaurant’s play area, or can replace a play area in restaurants with space limitations. The kiosks feature custom designed software centered around Burger King Kids’ Club characters narrating 16 games. A built-in camera allows children to pose for snapshots and place their own image into pictures on the screen, make short movies of themselves or add disguises to their faces. Kids can manipulate puzzle pieces, paint pictures, record and enhance their voices and answer trivia questions.
The Burger King Virtual Fun Center was produced by Frank Mayer & Associates, Inc. in WI
Bank Of America’s New Identity Program
Companion Systems is producing the surrounds for Bank of America’s ATM’s as part of the bank’s new identity program. In a collaborative effort between CSI, Minneapolis-based design firm John Ryan Group, and Denver-based Monigle & Associates, the surrounds include edge lighting. that enhances the branding.
For more information, contact Companion Systems, 645 West 200 North, North Salt Lake, UT 84054; (Tel) 801-298-8082, (Web) www.companionsystems.com.
E Ink Sandwich Board Promotes Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. has incorporated E Ink’s Immedia displays onto sandwich board signs promoting Yahoo! Shopping. These electronic sandwich boards flash messages promoting the benefits of buying online.
“Yahoo! continues to take innovative and fun approaches to reaching people wherever they are,” said Luanne Calvert, buzz marketer, Yahoo!. “Working with E Ink, we created versatile, lightweight, energy efficient signs that can be updated instantly.”
Using Palm Pilots, Yahoo! can quickly and easily send and change messages on the interactive signs. The signs measure 34” wide by 22” tall and incorporate two lines of electronic ink. Each sign weighs four pounds and runs on AA batteries.
For more information, contact E Ink Corp., 45 Spinelli Place, Cambridge, MA 02138; (Tel) 617-868-8088, (Web Site) www.eink.com.
GenesisIntermedia.com Installs Internet Kiosks In Shopping Malls
GenesisIntermedia, Inc., has signed an agreement with Forest City Enterprises to install GenesisIntermedia.com’s proprietary CENTERLINQ network in Forest City shopping malls. The roll-out of CENTERLINQ mall network expands the company’s national presence for advertisers. The CENTERLINQ network will also feature a custom loyalty-shopping program designed to enhance the relationship between consumers and retailers in the locations deploying CENTERLINQ.
For more information, contact Genesisintermedia.com, 5805 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91411; (Tel) 818-909-6655; (Web) www.genesisintermedia.com.
Auto Taser Features Interactive Display
Taser International sells its auto security products through a network of leading retailers and law enforcement dealers.
The Auto Taser interactive point of purchase display allows the customer to walk into the store and get a full demonstration of the Auto Taser with a push of a single button. The Auto Taser is enclosed in a special clear plastic cover to protect the customer from touching the unit while it is live. The customer just has to press one button and the Auto Taser comes to life with 50,000 volts to demonstrate the visual deterrence of the most aggressive anti-theft system available.
Pearlson Introduces Treeosks
Pearlson Development Corp., has introduced its new Treeosk(TM) line of interactive multimedia kiosk displays designed for the new touchscreen iMac. The open design of the Treeosk will showcase Apple's award winning computer, while blocking access to the iMac's controls, connection panel and CD drive. Optional Treeosk “branches” are available that hold POS devices (bar code and magnetic card readers, receipt printer and video camera). These options can be installed in the field. The 52” high by 18.5” wide by 22” deep Treeosk(TM) complies with ADA handicap access guidelines.
Douglas Pearlson, Chairman and CEO, said, “The Apple iMac with a touchscreen is a self-contained, Internet-ready, multimedia kiosk platform. Our Treeosk(TM) provides the missing element: a secure, attractive public access display. With the total price of a complete stand-alone system (Treeosk& touch enabled iMac ) at under $2600, the opportunities are enormous.”
For more information, contact Pearlson Development Corp., 8960 S.W. 87 Court, Miami, FL 33176; (Tel.) 305-598-3018; (Web) www.pearlson.com.
Inter-Act Electronic Marketing Partners With Supervalu
Inter-Act Electronic Marketing, Norwalk, CT, has entered into a marketing agreement with Supervalu Inc. to utilize Inter-Act’s patented electronic in-store and internet accessible marketing network to build consumer loyalty through shopper-specific value offers. Stephen Leeolou, CEO, Inter-Act, said, “Now consumers will be able to enjoy receiving additional savings in-store,or at-home throughout Supervalu’s retail grocery store base.”
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