Benjamin Moore Introduces Color Selection System
Color Preview by Benjamin Moore recently debuted in dealerships nationwide. The system includes a year 2000 palette of over 1,400 colors, sorted into groups of “simple” and “complex” colors. Consumers can find their way to their color by following a virtual map. Benjamin Moore has also numbered all of the colors in a logical system that allows for infinite additions in logical sequence. To help consumers remember the color they select, every color in the new system is named.
The Color Preview Studio features the 3-D Room With A View, a unique simulated 8” x 8” room environment. Here, consumers can insert large samples of over 104 colors right onto the sides of a “room,” thus “seeing” the “walls” of their room painted. Consumers see the colors they select in the store in both daylight and “room light” (combined incandescent light and daylight, typical of most home lighting).
Trim Chips let consumers further experiment by seeing their wall colors framed out by trim coverings in key trim colors. These specially designed trim chips also let consumers check their color choices against wood stains in walnut, mahogany, oak and fruitwood. 2” Squares of Color eliminates squinting at tiny paint chips. Color Preview offers color strips containing 7 colors, separated into light and dark ranges. Every color sample is a full 2” x 2” in size, which, in many cases, makes it twice as large as paint chips used to be. Color Combinations for both interiors and exteriors are easy to envision, because an interactive flip chart format is right at hand. Photos of color environments provide further inspiration. Combination Color Strips of Ready-mixed, Historical and America’s Colors are all called out separately. Special finishes are also at hand, near the color strips, for interactive mixing and matching. Color Collection Cards offer groupings of colors, providing professionally designed palettes.
New Merchandisers Hail ‘The New Face Of Cover Girl’
Cover Girl Cosmetics has launched a merchandising program hailing “The New Face Of Cover Girl.” A primary objective is to create a superior shopping experience with a focus on in-store presentation and consumer interaction. A key component of the program is a redesigned wall unit featuring an optimized product line-up, as well as new shade selection devices and saleable trial sizes.
“Our mission with this program is to totally transform the Cover Girl shopping experience so that it’s easier, breezier and more beautiful than ever,” said Marc Pritchard, V.P., P&G Cosmetics, North and South America. “We expect this initiative to help drive category growth and importantly, consumer enjoyment and satisfaction.”
The product and shade offerings of the total Cover Girl line will be re-vamped in order to simplify the selection process. The adjustments will also make room for new offerings such as CG Smoothers. In total, 12 new properties will be introduced on the new wall unit and 27 properties will be discontinued.
“It’s essential that consumers find the product and shade they’re looking for every time they go to the store,” said Anne Martin, Manager, Global Cosmetics Marketing for Procter & Gamble Cosmetics.
The new Cover Girl merchandising fixture boasts an array of new features that were developed based on consumer feedback and desire for a more simplified, engaging and consistent mass shopping experience. Redesigned product selection panels and product packaging feature new, easy-to-read graphics, as well as an updated blue and silver color scheme.
Some of the new wall fixtures feature “Shade Central,” an interactive, lighted promotional section that features a mirror and showcases seasonal new products, shade selection devices and sample sizes called Tiny Trys.
Sony Electronics Debuts Convergence Retail Display
Sony Electronics has introduced a kiosk that is designed to be a one-stop interactive audio-video and information technology (AV/IT) product focal point in retail stores.
The kiosk, which displays the connectivity of cameras, printers, PCs and camcorders with Memory Stick media and i.LINK, are being featured in more than 700 retail stores across the country.
The sleekly designed blue and metallic display uses compelling imagery, a fast-paced video and Sony’s advertising slogan, “Change The Way You See The World,” to attract consumers to the display and to try digital products.
“With the growth in audio/video convergence products, we saw a need to provide a new way to explain how digital products work together,” said Mark Viken, Senior Vice President for Digital Imaging Marketing at Sony Electronics. “Whether by Memory Stick or other connectivity solutions, helping to show consumers at the store level how imaging, PC and audio products work together will help them embrace digital technologies and give them a new electronics shopping experience.”
The kiosk takes a different approach to displaying products in the retail environment by integrating camcorders, cameras, printers and PCs in one location. The kiosk gives consumers a hands-on opportunity to move digital images or video from a camera or camcorder to a PC, printer or digital photo frame. In the future, the retail display will include a description of Memory Stick audio products.
The kiosk is part of a larger marketing program that includes advertising designed to familiarize consumers with how electronics products share information.
Jenn-Air Featuring Interactive Kiosk
Jenn-Air is using this interactive kiosk to promote its line of refrigerators at retail without requiring its dealers to devote a lot of valuable retail floor space to the large appliances.
The kiosk features 15 backlit photo panels of refrigerators in decorator kitchens. Below each photo is a button. Consumers can press the button to hear an audio description for the corresponding products.
The kiosk is constructed with birch veneer columns and Melamine panels, reinforcing Jenn-Air’s high quality appliances.
This display was created by Sandy Displays, Inc., a Lenexa, KS-based display firm.
Green Hill Featuring Compact Interactive Display
Green Hill Productions, Nashville, TN, is offering retailers this space saving 12-title interactive display.
The counter unit, with a cherry wood finish and full-color graphics, makes it easy for customers to sample 12 different recordings. A companion counter spinner holds 96 cds, with a retail value of over $1,200.
The unit is easily updated to accommodate new releases.
High-quality stereo headphones are included with the display.
7-Eleven And American Express Introduce Self-Service Kiosks
7-Eleven and American Express have formed a strategic alliance to introduce interactive kiosks in 7-Eleven stores. The kiosks will provide customers with convenient access to financial services products 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.
The touch-screen kiosks will provide customers with check-cashing services, money orders, and wire transfers. Soon the two companies expect to introduce a wide range of services, including event ticketing, and e-commerce applications such as on-line shopping.
Said Jim Keyes, Exec.V.P., and COO, 7-Eleven, “The development of these self-service units is the first step toward our longer-term Internet strategy, which we have named V.com for virtual commerce. As our V.com strategy evolves, we want to serve as a point of access for both the purchase and distribution of a wide range of e-commerce product offerings. These kiosks combined with our nationwide, daily distribution infrastructure and over 5,000 U.S. store locations, positions us to do just that.”
America Online Announces Alliances With Wal-Mart & Circuit City
America Online has announced a wide-ranging strategic alliance with Wal-Mart to provide the vast majority of Wal-Mart communities with convenient, low-cost access to the Internet. The agreement creates a new co-branded Internet service provider (ISP) and numerous cross-marketing initiatives.
Currently, six out of every 10 towns in which Wal-Mart operates have local Internet access, and the companies have agreed to work together to increase the availability of local Internet acccess to communities that do not now have it available. Wal-Mart will also distribute AOL 5.0 software that includes a convenient link to Wal-Mart’s Internet shopping destination, Wal-Mart.com. As part of the agreement, Wal-Mart will promote both the Wal-Mart/AOL co-branded ISP and the AOL flagship interactive service through advertising as well as in-store promotions.
America Online has also announced a strategic alliance with Circuit City to provide in-store promotion of AOL products and services to Circuit City shoppers nationwide, making AOL Circuit City’s preferred Internet online service, and to feature Circuit City as an anchor tenant in key Shop@ online shopping destinations on several AOL brands.
AOL products and services will be featured in dedicated retail space in Circuit City’s stores nationwide. Circuit City will offer consumers everything they need for home connectivity, including access to the Internet via AOL through narrowband technology and broadband technologies including DSL and satellite, as well as wireless interactive devices.
Borders Selects AltaVista Search Engine To Enhance Shopping Experience
Borders Books and Music has licensed technology from AltaVista Co., the internet search engine, to power its new in-store kiosks. Borders is using the new Title Sleuth kiosks to enhance customers’ shopping experience by effectively searching and locating products in the store as well as throughout its’ online catalog. Customers will be able to walk up to any kiosk to locate books, cd’s and videos in the store or online and check availability and prices.
“Our focus is on enhancing the Borders customer experience that is all about exploration, discovery, and access to information,” said Mary Jean Raab, Sr. V.P., Direct Sales.
PETsMART Redefines Bricks & Clicks With Return Policy Covering All Pet Retailers
PETsMART has launched the PETsMART Universal Return Program, providing full refunds for pet food and supplies purchased from PETsMART, PETsMART.com or any other store, web site or catalog.
“The PETsMART Universal Return Program sets a new standard of customer service,” said Phil Francis, CEO of PETsMART, “If it doesn’t fit, is the wrong color or if the pet simply doesn’t like it, customers now can use our PETsMART stores as quick and convenient service centers. This program is the latest example of our customer-centric commitment.”
GROUPadvantage Insurance Available In SAM’s Club
A new insurance program that uses the Internet to make the policy buying process easier, quicker and, in many cases more affordable for consumers, is now available at SAM’S Club locations. GROUPadvantage’s auto, home, life insurance and financial services will be offered at SAM’s Club kiosks.
Developed and distributed by Insurance Holdings of America, Inc. (IHA), GROUPadvantage utilizes an Internet-based technology platform for processing insurance transactions. This technology enables the local GROUPadvantage agent to, in many cases, conduct the entire insurance sales process at the point of sale with the consumer.
Retailers Embrace On-Premise Technology
Despite the growing fear that e-commerce is replacing the bricks and mortar retail environment, companies are increasingly embracing technology as a means to attract customers to the in-store shopping experience, according to a recent study conducted by Siren Technologies, a Chicago-based company that provides digital business solutions in the retail environment.
According to the Siren study, almost 70% of all retail respondents use some form of technological tools on premise, including electronic messaging and interactive kiosks. What’s more, 80% feel that integrating these types of technology into the shopping experience is extremely important in order to remain competitive. As the Siren survey results show, consumers are not only demanding the presence of technology in the experiential retail environment, but agree that it enhances their overall shopping experience at a specific retailer.
Interactive Kiosk Study Released
Interactive kiosk vendors supplying the retail, government, banking and finance, tourism and entertainment, and transportation and telecommunications industries brought in $806.6 billion in 2000. According to Frost & Sullivan’s latest strategic research, “World Interactive Kiosk Markets,” this fledgling market is projected to exhibit a compound annual revenue growth rate (CAGR) of more than 20% over the forecast period (2000-2006).
“Although interest in customer self-service is rising across the board, the retail, financial and telecommunications industries require applications that fit an interactive kiosk model,” said Generosa Litton, Information Technology Industry Analyst at Frost & Sullivan, an international marketing consulting and training organization.
Key technology trends, including deployment of xDSL and cable modems that allow enhanced connectivity and graphical content, are forecast to improve interactive kiosk applications. Standardization of applications among vertical segments will likely consolidate the interactive kiosk industry and drive market growth.
HMG Worldwide in conjunction with Pacific Softworks is testing its new “Smart Display,” featuring groundbreaking, Internet-enabled, p.o.p. technology. The new technology is expected to reduce merchandising costs, allow better management of inventory and labor, and allow customized marketing initiatives at the point-of-purchase, based upon the data transmitted from the “Smart Displays.” For more information, contact HMG Worldwide Corp., New York, (Tel) 212-714-6251, (Fax) 212-564-3395.
ActiveLight is a value-added distributor of plasma displays and technology specializing in point-of-purchase displays and digital signage network solutions. The company helps marketers design compelling multimedia POP signage that can be located in branches and updated via the Internet. For more information, contact ActiveLight, Inc., 19362 Powder Hill Place, Poulsbo, WA 98370; (Tel) 800-730-4774, (Fax) 360-779-5969, (Web site) www.activelight.com.
First Wave, Inc., has introduced Kiosk Communicator 2.4, the latest version of its kiosk development software. The new software allows for precise sequencing of graphics seen while the kiosk is not in use, allowing fee-based advertising to be scheduled. Another feature is the encryption of credit card numbers, allowing orders to be securely transmitted over the Internet. For more information, visit www.first-wave.com.
TouchVision has introduced its new plasma display kiosk. The new design fully integrates a 42-inch gas plasma display by NEC. The brilliant 42-inch high-definition plasma display is mounted in an integrated backwall panel above a 17-inch interactive touchscreen display. Using TouchVision’s IdleTime kiosk software module, the plasma screen displays a dynamically generated array of high-resolution still images, full-screen MPEG video, Shockwave animation or even Internet Web pages. The plasma display creates a high visibility presence for the kiosk in high-traffic locations such as resorts, airports, shopping malls or retail stores. For more information, contact TouchVision, 330 Main Street, #201, Seal Beach, CA 90740; (Tel) 526-626-8200; (Web site) www.touchvision.com
Muze & Streetspace. Announce Kiosk Network
Muze Inc., an independent provider of digital information about music, books and video, and >Streetspace. The Clicks and Mortar Network, have formed an alliance that combines >Streetspace’s Street Linc online terminals and Muze’s database for deployment in retail spaces. The alliance will offer consumers at the retail spaces immediate access to Muze’s premier entertainment database, plus the >Streetspace. portal, which includes electronic mail, online shopping and other popular features. In order to use the service, a consumer simply walks up to an in-store Street Linc terminal and touches its bright color screen.
This relationship with Streetspace. will first showcase Muze’s position within the music marketplace. Muze and >Streetspace will then launch video and book kiosk services within the year.
“Since Street Linc terminals are located in both traditional music retail outlets and non-traditional outlets, this alliance will broaden the reach of the Muze database,” said Philip Sidel, Director of Marketing for Muze. “>Streetspace’s access to online services from a broad range of retail locations opens up increased avenues for consumers to access our database.”
WOW-media Installs Digital Ad System In H-E-B Supermarkets
WOW-media, Calgary, Alberta, will install its Digital Advertising Display System, WOW-network, in an initial 80 H.E. Butt Grocery Company (H-E-B) supermarkets in San Antonio and Austin, TX.
The first of the high resolution high definition digital display screens will be installed in the most highly trafficked aisles. WOW-media is in the process of securing ad commitments for the H-E-B WOW-network.
For more information, contact Wow-media,1400, 910 7 Ave., S.W., Calagary, Alberta T2P 3N8, Canada; (Tel) (402) 237-8044; (Fax) 403-237-8121; (Web Site) www.wowmedia.com.
ADP’s Digital Displays Deliver High-Impact Info At Point Of Purchase
Automatic Data Processing (ADP), has launched IMPULSE, a Digital Influence Merchandising display system, with full color, motion and high fidelity sound.
This new merchandising tool for automobile dealers delivers high impact messages to prospects on the showroom floor.
IMPULSE consists of plasma screens on the showroom floor, each beside a display model. Each screen delivers 10 minutes of product-specific messages. Each info segment contains short bursts of information on automotive topics.
For more information on IMPULSE, call World Interactive Network at 305-648-0600 or visit its Web site at www.2impulse.com.
Siren Technologies And Clarity Debut Digital Menu Boards
Siren Technologies and Clarity have introduced the Dynamic Digital Signage system, which McDonald’s is using to deliver customized real-time messages in the retail environment.
Siren’s DMB system is comprised of an on-site digital media player and a remote content distribution server, linked together via Siren’s private digital wide area network. New promotional content is uploaded from Siren’s central server.
McDonald’s has installed horizontal banks of VideoBanner displays in place of backlit menuboards. VideoBanner displays may be configured side by side to create a single horizontal display of up to 20 units, about 60 feet in length.
For more information, contact Siren Technologies, 111 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601; (Tel) 312-552-3500, (Fax) 312-552-5456, (Web site) www.sirentech.com.
NGN Appoints Crocker Exec. VP, Sales & Mktg.
Next Generation Network (NGN), the Minneapolis, MN-based out-of-home media company, has appointed Tracy Crocker as Executive V.P., Sales and Marketing. Mr. Crocker, who joins NGN from Nabisco, will be responsible for sales, marketing and media operations.
NGN’s E*Billboards provide Internet-based information and targeted advertising to more than 40 million consumers waiting in store check out lines each week.
Frank Mayer & Associates, Inc. Grafton, WI, will be showing this Burger King Virtual Fun Center, designed and produced specifically with children in mind. The kiosks contain custom designed software featuring 16 fun and educational games. A built-in camera allows children to pose for a picture and place their own image into different "post cards" on the screen, or add funny disguises to their faces. Each unit is subjected to a rigorous number of safety and software tests before shipping to ensure a flawless system. To learn more about the Burger King Fun Center, Contact Allen Buchholz at POP Marketplace, Booth 7206; or call 800-225-3987.
EV GLOBAL DEALERSHIP DISPLAYS. EV Global Motors, Inc. wanted a display to introduce its new electric bicycle, through auto dealerships and bike shops. The display acts as a “silent salesperson”educating the consumer with a continuous loop tape communicating the bike's features and benefits. The transforming “lightening panel” conveys the message of electricity and enhances the attention grabbing effect of the display. Created by Frank Mayer & Associates, Inc., 1975 Wisconsin Avenue, Grafton, WI 53024. POPAI AWARD ENTRY.
NBO (Neighborhood Box Office) Gift Certificate Kiosk
NBO wanted a kiosk to distribute mall gift certificates in a major way. A new kiosk was designed to sell its mall gift certificate program. Cutting edge CAD design was used to produce a 3-D prototype which sold the new kiosk program. 30 kiosks were produced in time for the holiday shopping season. The upscale looking kiosk combines molded composites, intricate woodwork and accent lighting, which fits well in the high profile locations where the kiosk was used. The program was so successful NBO is currently deploying a network of its kiosks in grocery stores and mass merchandisers. The NBO Gift Certificate Kiosk was created by Companion Systems, Inc., 645 West 200 North, North Salt Lake, Utah 84054.
Nike Pavilion Features Treeosk™ Display
This new Treeosk™ display is the ultimate small footprint stand-alone interactive retail system. It features Apple's IMac Computer with Elo's iTouch technology. The steel nest and pedestal that supports the IMac is welded to a 50 pound steel base plate. The IMac and Treeosk were featured at the Nike Pavilion in the Interactive Park at the Winter X Games V at Mount Snow, Vermont. The Treeosk™ Display was created by Pearlson Development Corporation, 8960 SW 87 Court, Miami, FL 33176.
Sprint InfoXpress Internet Kiosk
InfoXpress is an internet kiosk, which is uniquely designed in a Sprint PCS phone. The slim and portable touchscreen phone can hang anywhere to provide high quality graphics, sales information, customized internet content, and more. InfoXpress is designed for easy access and real time information, the choice for a rapidly changing competitive market. The Sprint InfoXpress was created by MaxImage, P.O. Box 382574, Memphis, TN 38183.
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