Best Buy Display Demonstrates Internet Options
Consumers can now quickly and easily choose the best broadband option for them based on where they live by comparing leading broadband alternatives at Best Buy retail locations. Through new in-store interactive displays, customers will be able to evaluate availability, cost and comparative speed for a variety of high-speed Internet access services. The new displays are a response to growing consumer demand to compare different broadband alternatives in a single retail location.
“This is all about making it easy for customers to choose which broadband technology is right for them based on their needs and where they live,” said Phil Schoonover, Senior Vice President of Digital Technology Solutions for Best Buy. “As we expand our offerings to include connectivity and content services like high-speed Internet access, we want to make these services easy to understand, compare and purchase, so that consumers can make informed decisions about which service is best for them.
At Best Buy’s interactive displays, customers can learn more about broadband in general, interact with demonstrations that simulate the on-line experience of different broadband services, and determine if they qualify for these types of services based on where they live. Customers can also initiate an order for the service from the displays.
Initially, more than 65% of Best Buy locations will offer consumers two or more of the following services, based on coverage availability: DSL from MSN HighSpeed as well as Flashcom; cable television and high-speed cable Internet access from AT&T Broadband; satellite from DirecPC; and fixed wireless from Sprint. More than half of Best Buy locations will offer three or more broadband service alternatives.
Microsoft-Branded Kiosks Debut At RadioShack
RadioShack has unveiled the Microsoft Internet Center chainwide as part of its strategy to become “America’s Home Connectivity Store.”
The Microsoft Internet Centers serve as a one-stop source for consumers, allowing them to both test various broadband services as well as subscribe to Microsoft’s high-speed Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service.
The Microsoft Internet Centers were designed and produced by HMG Worldwide, a multi-disciplinary marketing, promotion and point-of-purchase display agency, headquartered in New York City.
3Q Launches 3-D ‘Q Clone Generators’ At Babbage’s
3Q inc., a pioneer in 3-D human form capture technology for the electronic gaming industry, has launched its “Q Clone Generator” in leading Babbage’s stores.
Through its “Q Clone Generators,” similar in form to a passport photo-booth, PC gamers, for the first time ever, will be able to capture their 3-D image (a.k.a. virtual clone), customize their clone and easily upload it into popular games such as Quake III Arena(TM) and Half-Life Opposing Force.
“For years, Babbage’s Etc. stores have been committed to bringing members of the electronic gaming community together in real world events which enable them to interact and compete,” said Roxanne Koepsell, VP of Marketing, Babbage’s Etc. “Now, with 3Q’s ‘Q Clone Generators,’ we are able to promote a virtual community by bringing our customers together in a multiplayer online gaming environment. Babbage’s is always looking for technologies that bring our customers together and 3Q definitely fits the bill.”
Levi’s Lets Customers Create ‘Made For You’ Levi’s
Levi’s has announced the expansion of its customization services, which uses individual body measurements to provide a personal fit and style combination, to include the hottest fabrics, finishes and cuts for the ultimate in “Create Your Own” pants.
Consumers can create their own jeans at any one of the 12 Levi’s stores or they can customize a pair of authentic Levi’s jeans, cargo or carpenter pants without ever leaving home. The Create Your Own process is easy, requiring a brief Levi’s Store fitting in which the customers’ waist and hip measurements are taken. These measurements are entered into a computer, which suggests a prototype trial jean for the customer to try on.
From there, the customer can explore a variety of options (looser/tighter, longer/shorter, fabric/texture, etc.) to determine his or her personal style and fit preferences.
General Mills & GetMusic Run Music Promotion
General Mills is joining forces with GetMusic, the online music site, on a music promotion that offers eight exclusive CD compilations ranging from *NSYNC to Sting to Boyz II Men. This free on-pack offer, involves more than 20 General Mills cereal brands, including Chex, Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Total.
Consumers only need the unique code printed inside over 80 million participating cereal boxes in order to redeem the “Gotta Get It Hits” CD of their choice for free, paying only for shipping and handling. “We’ve worked hard to make this a valuable offer for families,” said Cheryl Moser, General Mills Promotion Manager.”
An interactive in-store display brings this promotion to life. More than 25,000 grocery stores across the country will receive a “Gotta Get It Hits” Listening Station, which allows shoppers to hear clips from each of the eight CDs.
Borders Debuts Title Sleuth Kiosk
Borders has introduced the Title Sleuth Kiosk to enable consumers to search for a book, CD or video and receive a map of its location in the store.
“Sleuth Kiosk offers consumers an easy interactive way to locate a particular product and find their way around the store,” said Mary Jean Raab, Exec. V.P., Retail Direct and Convergence, Borders. “In addition to search capabilities, Title Sleuth also offers recommendations and lists for best sellers, new releases, and Borders Essentials in over four hundred categories chosen by our expert buyers.”
The Title Sleuth Kiosk was created by Kiosk Information Systems (KIS), of Broomfield, CO.
Coldwater Creek Opens Retail Stores
Coldwater Creek, the catalog and e-commerce retailer of upscale women’s fashion and accessories, has recently embarked on an aggressive campaign to open 80 stores in 29 states.
The in-store atmosphere has been carefully designed to create a place where customers can get away from their daily routine and shop for their favorite items. “Each store is designed to recreate the ‘Coldwater Creek Experience’ in a brick and mortar setting using soft woods, ambient lighting and water features (such as our trademark floor-to-ceiling waterfall) to further define the brand,” said David Gunter, Coldwater Creek spokesperson.
The niche customer base that has contributed to the success of the Coldwater Creek brand through its four catalogs (Northcountry, Spirit of the West, Natural Elements and Coldwater Creek Home), as well as its Web site (www.coldwatercreek.com), factor into where stores will be located. Stores will be located in lifestyle centers and upscale malls where Coldwater Creek’s customers already live. Stores will average between 7,000-8,000 sq. ft.
“The stores will be filled with the ‘best of the best’ from the catalogs and Web site, as well as items exclusive to the area,” said Georgia Shonk-Simmons, President of Catalog & Retail Sales. “Shopping Coldwater Creek in the retail setting will be like walking right into our catalogs, with one big difference — you’ll be able to touch, see and experience the merchandise in person.”
A total of 10 full-line stores are open to date.
Earful Opens Audiobooks ‘Superstore’
Earful of Books, Inc, has opened it first superstore in Redmond, WA. Customers can rent or purchase from 7,000 titles on cassettes or CDs and order from another 65,000 titles. The bookstore is only the third in the nation to be co-located at a Blockbuster Video site. The agreement with Blockbuster allows up to 150 Earful corporate and franchise units to be co-located at premier U.S. Blockbuster sites by mid-2003.
Paul Rush, founder and President of the Austin, TX-based operation, said “This store will be among the first to provide a ‘sound dome’ for customers to preview listening choices. There are no unwieldly headphones and no disturbance to other customers.”
International Automated Systems To Run Fully-Automated Supermarket
International Automated Systems plans to operate a fully automated, U-Check self-cashiering supermarket in Washington County, UT. The new U-Check Supermarket will be approximately 10,000 sq. ft. larger than the average supermarket. It will offer 24 open, fully automated checkout lanes and IAS’s new patent-pending, automated transaction gates.
The store is designed so that customers need never wait in line and always pay 10%-15% below regular grocery prices. A full-size video rental selection will not require a separate checkout counter. Customers will be able to rent videos through the automated checkout lanes, paying for the video the same as they do for any grocery item, without the assistance of a clerk. Customers will also be able to order fast food, purchase gas, car wash and movie tickets from the automated checkout lanes.
IAS’s new retail grocery facility is fully integrated with its own patented automated fingerprint identification machine (AFIM). The AFIM secures transactions by accepting only live fingerprints, which are cross-referenced to the customers’ digitized fingerprints on the magnetic-stripe of a card.
New Safeway SELECT Bank Takes Supermarket Banking To Next Level
Safeway Inc. and Amicus FSB, a leading e-banking provider, have formed Safeway SELECT Bank, providing the convenience of an on-line bank with an in-store presence. Customers benefit from no fees, great rates and free groceries at Safeway stores.
“Safeway SELECT Bank extends Safeway’s premium Safeway SELECT brand to a financial service,” said Rick Dreiling, Exec. V.P., Marketing at Safeway. “Safeway pioneered supermarket banking in the early 1980’s, successfully providing a one-stop location to offer customers the convenience of banking while shopping for groceries. Safeway SELECT Bank now takes service to the next level and provides the added convenience of banking on-line at home or at the store with live customer service associates.”
Lands’ End Mall Tour Demonstrates Online Shopping Innovations
Lands’ End has launched a shopping mall tour to introduce new online shopping innovations. At the Lands’ End My Virtual Model Tour, consumers in 14 cities across North America can have their body scanned and measurements translated into an exact My Virtual Model (MVM.) This is the first time body scanning has been combined with virtual modeling to create a precise body replica. Image Twin personal body scanners are expected to be in cities from New York to Chicago to San Francisco within a year. In addition, My Personal Shopper (MPS) creates the most personalized recommendations engine on the Web. After consumers answer a few brief questions, MPS suggests clothing based on personal preferences.
WELLSTEADS Launches eRestaurant
WELLSTEADS has opened the nation’s first eRestaurant, providing fresh, upscale meals that are made and packaged for delivery and takeout. Unlike other attempts to bring the food ordering process online, WELLSTEAD’s patent-pending process integrates cutting-edge technology with a traditional storefront, which enables customers to personalize, name and save their meals for easy future ordering.
Called Innovative Everyday Cuisine, the menu can be customized to personal tastes and combines wholesome and fresh ingredients, which are delivered every day and prepared to order for delivery or takeout.
WELLSTEAD’s patent-pending technology allows customers three simple integrated options for placing takeout and delivery orders: online, on the phone, or in the store. Customers can use touch screen kiosks in the store to place orders.
Lids & Footstar Enter Strategic Alliance
Lids Corp., a leading headwear retailer, and Footstar, Inc., a leading footwear retailer, have formed a strategic alliance where Just For Feet will operate Lids shops in all Just For Feet superstores. The Just For Feet superstores will bring the total of Lids retail stores to approximately 500 locations.
The Just For Feet alliance is the latest in a series of aggressive marketing initiatives for Lids, which recently unveiled the e-Center, an internet kiosk that gives customers access to a virtual inventory of over 50,000 hats.
Just For Feet stores, located outside Lids’ traditional mall-based stores, contain video walls, basketball courts, and thousands of styles of shoes and apparel. Customers are engaged in a shopping-friendly environment, with branded concept shops providing direction. The addition of the Lids branded solution for headwear is in keeping with the Just For Feet shopping experience.
Barnes & Noble Plans Integration Of Stores And Web Site
Barnes & Noble has announced plans to link its 551 retail stores with its popular Web site. The initiatives include Internet Service Counters powered by Barnes & Noble.com installed in all Barnes & Noble superstores. The new counters will enable customers to order any book or other product through the Barnes & Noble.com Web site, www.bn.com. Customers may also choose to pick up their orders at the stores, or have orders delivered to their homes, offices or address of choice. A membership loyalty program, Readers’ Advantage, will offer additional discounts and benefits in Barnes & Noble stores and at Barnes & Noble.com. Barnes & Noble.com customers will be able to return books and CDs purchased at Barnes & Noble.com to any Barnes & Noble store.
“We see our Internet Service Counters as keys to increasing sales in both the retail and online channels,” said Steve Riggio, Vice Chairman of Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Service Merchandise Launches New Format
Service Merchandise is launching a new format in its stores across the country. “We have created an open and inviting shopping atmosphere, with an emphasis on ease of shopping,” said Charles Septer, COO of Service Merchandise Co.
As a brick-and-mortar retailer, Service Merchandise also continues to gain recognition for its Internet presence. The “store, web, phone” shopping experience is interchangeable; returns, if necessary, can be made directly to the most convenient store. Internet kiosks can also be found conveniently within each store. Not only are the kiosks a source of additional product information, Septer says, but they also augment the selection.
E Ink Corp. and Lucent Technologies have developed the world’s first flexible electronic ink display with plastic transistors. These devices demonstrate that electric ink, driven with printed plastic circuits, is a compelling design for electronic paper and other next-generation displays. The displays were constructed using two ground-breaking developments: E Ink’s electronic ink and Lucent’s active-matrix drive circuits printed on plastic. Jim Iuliano, CEO of E Ink, said, “With this combination of technologies, we have found a promising means for achieveing paper-like electronic displays.” E Ink and Lucent expect the displays will deliver an improved look, portability, and flexibility. For more information, contact E Inc., 45 Spinelli Place, Cambridge, MA 02138; (Tel) 617-868-8088; (Web) www.eink.com.
Elo TouchSystems, has extended its range of Entuitive brand kiosk-based touchmonitors that incorporate the company’s unique iTouch “touch-on-tube” surface wave technology. The new 15” and 17” iTouch-enhanced Entuitive CRT rear-mount touchmonitors complement Elo’s existing 19” and 21” high-end computer-grade touchmonitors that already incorporate an iTouch interface. The new 15” and 17” iTouch-enhanced Entuitive touchmonitors are designed for such applications as point-of-purchase promotions and in-store e-commerce kiosks. For more information, contact Elo TouchSystems, Inc., 6500 Kaiser Drive, Fremont, CA 94555; (Tel) 800-ELO-TOUCH, (Web) www.elotouch.com.
InControl’s i-DVD player features a powerful combination of computing power, storage capacity and interfacing, connectivity, adaptability and expandability. Unlike other players, the i-DVD includes industry standard programmability. Use any standard Windows or DOS programming tools (and soon Linux and Unix) to create exactly the features needed in an interactive display. Also included as standard is a host of connectivity options. For the first time, a DVD player has become part of an overall information strategy, not just a dedicated player. For more information, contact InControl Systems, 826 Office Park Circle, Lewisville, TX 75057; (Tel) 972-219-1334, (Fax) 972-219-6906, (Web) www.incontrol-usa.com.
Toppan Printing Company has introduced EPOP electronic shelf talkers. This electronic p.o.p. audio and video player delivers superior sound and picture quality in a compact “shelf talker” size. EPOP operates electronically, utilizing a computer chip, which eliminates maintenance concerns. Among its benefits are: it delivers an eye-catching audio/video performance; reinforces a brand’s existing TV commercials at the p.o.p.; and provides product demonstrations. EPOP messaging units come in two compact screen sizes: 6.4 inch and 3.5 inch. Both install simply on a shelf, without obstructing the view of the product. For more information, contact Toppan Printing Co., 666 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10103; (Tel) 212-489-7740, (Fax) 212-969-9349.
Clarity Visual Systems has introduced version 2.0 of its SignSuite software for controlling visual messaging content for digital signage. Dan Cole, Clarity’s V.P., Marketing and Sales, said, “Coupled with our digital displays and our array of services, SignSuite 2.0 positions Clarity as a key supplier of the entire digital signage solution.” SignSuite 2.0 supports a broad array of media sources including still images, Web-based presentations, Shockwave, flash animation and digital video. For more information, contact Clarity Visual Systems, 9025 S.W. Hillman Court, Wilsonville, OR 97070; (Tel) 503-570-0700; (Web) www.clarityvisual.com.
MOozic, an Internet venture from Creative Technology Ltd., a premier provider of interactive 3D MusicVideo software, will now also provide engaging, cost-effective and customizable display solutions. Virtual billboards, interactive kiosks and flat-panel end-caps represent some of the Company’s planned offerings. Oozic’s new suite of services are designed to replace static point-of-purchase collateral with informative video displays that can be updated instantaneously. For more information, contact Oozic, 1901 McCarthy Boulevard, Milpitas, CA 95035; (Web) www.oozic.com.
MusicMusicMusic Inc. offers the Web Bar Listening Post, which brings the Internet into the traditional brick-and-mortar environment, giving retail customers the impression that the internet revolution is not limited to on-line retailers. Benefits include that it’s easy to use; requires no staff assistance; offers full song, high quality sampling of all tracks; no need to remove the security device to play the CD, as long as the barcode is visible; and no longer is there a need for promo copies or the use of regular inventory to load into a player. Retailers can choose from the standard floor or wall models or custom design to suit the decor. For more information, contact MusicMusicMusic Inc., 99 Atlantic Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6K 3L8; (Tel) 416-537-2165, (Web) www.musicmusicmusic.com
Techknow Inc. offers the FP 110 Flat Panel Standalone kiosk featuring a vandal-resistant Durashell design, OrderSmart software technology, global POS compatibility and profit-generating features. The system displays full color item pictures along with a 25-character text desciption of every item ordered so customers can confirm their orders. OrderSmart software displays tantalizing pictures and messages promoting “missing” or “unordered” items for maximum profitability. For more information, contact Techknow Inc., 212 Pelham Davis Circle, Greenville, SC 29615; (Tel) 864-281-1027, (Fax) 864-281-1029, (Web site) www.gotechknow.com.
Sprite Runs Promo. With RocketCash
More than a billion Sprite bottles will offer “RocketCash-Under-the-Cap,” enabling teens to buy what they want online. The program gives Sprite.com users instant access to a broad selection of merchandise available from more than 100 different e-tailers in RocketCash’s virtual mall.
More than one billion Sprite bottle caps will be marked with special codes that can be redeemed for RocketCash, or with instant win messages for free Sprite. Consumers log into Sprite.com and enter the codes found under the Sprite caps to determine the denomination of Sprite.com-RocketCash they have won.
“We recognize that the Internet is a fundamental part of today’s teen lifestyle,” said Jan Hall, Senior Vice President and Director of Consumer Brand Marketing, Coca-Cola, USA. “Sprite.com offers teens a direct, online gateway to purchase any merchandise from RocketCash merchants and allows us to enhance our ongoing relationship with Sprite drinkers.”
Power Kiosks Signs Agreement With WWF
Power Kiosks Inc., a developer of interactive kiosks, has formed an agreement with the World Wrestling Federation, which allows it to use a large selection of that Company’s entertainment properties in Power Kiosk’s network of stand-alone digital photo-imaging kiosks.
“This is a major boost for our digital photo imaging kiosks,” said Terry Cooke, Power Kiosks’ CEO.
Future Shop Launches Interactive Kiosks
Future Shop stores have rolled-out e-Commerce enabled kiosks to all Future Shop stores across Canada.
“These internet kiosks form a major component of our ongoing strategy to provide Canadian consumers with the most convenient way to purchase technology products,” said Kevin Layden, President and Chief Operating Officer of Future Shop. “Each of our Future Shop stores will have a minimum of 2 kiosks located in key departments and customers can use them to obtain additional product information or make a purchase on-line.”
The kiosks were created by Info Touch Technologies, Burnaby, BC, Canada, (Tel) 604-298-4636; (Fax) 604-298-4216.
BigFatWow! Brings Internet To Malls
BigFatWow, has announced plans to install Internet centers, called Wow Centers, in shopping malls across the country.
BigFatWow!’s Wow Centers have a modular design, ranging from four to 12 computer terminals to accommodate a variety of retail footprints. Sponsors can provide rich media advertising to consumers via the Wow Centers’ computer monitors and 42” plasma screens.
Yahoo! Features Windowtainment Promo
The Yahoo! Shopping Windowtainment promotion at Rockefeller Center, turned window shopping into a fun, interactive experience, providing shoppers with a hands-on opportunity to explore online shopping.
From a 400 sq. ft. interactive “playhouse” located at street level across from Radio City Music Hall, and from the comfort of a unique Yahoo!-branded interactive La-Z-Boy chair, the World’s La-Z-iest Shopper demonstrated the ease of Yahoo! Shopping.
E Ink, Cambridge, MA, the developer of electronic ink technology, used its Immedia displays to communicate featured merchants and products. “Yahoo! Windowtainment is yet another creative application of Immedia,” said Dan Monaco, V.P. Marketing at E Ink.
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