Office Depot Is Featuring SoftwareToGo
Office Depot is launching SoftwareToGo, the first electronic library system to produce CD-ROMs on site at individual retail locations.
SoftwareToGo’s burn-to-order technology enables retailers to offer a vast range of software titles without stock inventory. In addition, SoftwareToGo’s extensive Advanced Security Anti-Piracy (ASAP) feature protects publishers’ intellectual property rights and assures consumers they are getting licensed originals.
SoftwareToGo takes the established benefits of electronic delivery one step further by giving consumers immediate access to physical product at convenient retail locations. Consumers select their titles directly on a Product Preview Station (PPS) touch screen and pay at the retailers’ register. The selected title is then instantly produced onto a CD at the system’s Order Fulfillment Station (OFS). In less than five minutes for the average software title, the finished product, with a full-color package and Certificate of Authenticity, is in the customers’ hands.
Office Depot is looking to SoftwareToGo to multiply and manage its library of software titles. “SoftwareToGo solves a critical management issue for us at multiple levels, from inventory control to product fulfillment to customer service,” said Steve Embree, Executive Vice President of Merchandising for Office Depot. “The system’s burn-to-order technology is an ideal solution that increases our sales potential, reduces our cost and is completely scalable.”
“SoftwareToGo represents a brand new software retailing paradigm with tremendous implications for publishers, retailers and consumers,” said Bruce Newmanm, CEO of Protocall Technologies, a pioneer in secure electronic inventory systems for retailers and developer of SoftwareToGo. “It will forever change the way software is sold.”
Yahoo! Auctions And Macy’s Unveil Fashion Auction
Yahoo! and Macy’s Herald Square recently hosted the NYC 2000 Fashion Auction. Through an Internet kiosk at the famous 34th Street windows of Macy’s Herald Square, shoppers could view items and bid along with online bidders around the world on one-of-a-kind dresses and jewelry created by some of the world’s most-renowned designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Halston, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan and Calvin Klein. In addition, visitors can view more than nine of the original millennium dresses now on display in the 34th Street windows.
NetPack’s Kiosk Distributes eBooks
NetPack is a new entrant in the eBook industry, with a unique twist: the company’s system lets consumers buy eBooks in a traditional retail environment. A portable NetPack kiosk displays the covers of up to 100 NetPack “special application cards.” The 6” x 7” NetPacks contain a card bearing a secure account number. When customers go home, they can use the account number to download eBooks, software, or other kinds of content from the Web to their PCs. A special keyboard, available separately, allows customers to swipe the card through a card reader, automating the process.
NetPack’s marketing strategy is to put eBooks and other products sold predominantly online directly in the faces of the millions of consumers who are still uncomfortable shopping on the Web.
Interactive Retail Kiosk To Market Cover Girl Cosmetics At Malls
The Cover Girl Live Zone has been brought to consumers at the White Marsh Mall in Baltimore, MD, by specialty retailer Contempo Casuals. The Cover Girl Live Zone offers consumers an internet kiosk to provide personalized beauty information. Through a special camera, participants will be able to send their photo over the Internet to a consultant who will educate them on the right make-up colors and proper application. In addition, unique features called “vision mail,” and “e-mail a friend,” will be accessible at the kiosk.
The Cover Girl Live Zone provides Procter & Gamble with a testing ground for new marketing ideas. It offers the first Cover Girl product tester bars in the U.S., allowing opportunities to try products before buying. The retail area also features “Shade Central,” a 3-foot merchandising unit with seasonal products and additional interactive devices. Current fashions and accessories from Contempo Casuals are also featured in the Cover Girl Live Zone.
The Cover Girl Live Zone is a test concept designed to help Cover Girl better relate to the teen consumer in one of their favorite gathering places - the mall.
AOL & Target Announce Alliance
America Online and Target Stores have formed a strategic alliance; Target.com will become the premier retailer across several AOL brands and AOL will become Target’s preferred online service. The agreement contains expansive cross-marketing arrangements that will combine significant off-line co-branding campaigns and in-store offerings with extensive online initiatives.
According to Bob Pittman, President and COO, America Online, “We are pleased to join Target in a unique alliance that will offer AOL products and services to Target’s millions of loyal guests, while bringing the ability to easily find Target’s great selection of goods and services to the millions of users of our interactive brands. Our relationship with Target is a significant step in extending our retail presence and providing new shopping opportunities to our users.”
Winn-Dixie To Host ‘The Return Store’
Winn-Dixie Stores will provide host locations for The Return Store, a new business designed to serve e-commerce and traditional merchants in handling merchandise returns. The Company plans to have approximately 400 to 600 operations in Winn-Dixie Stores by the end of 2001.
The Return Store, on behalf of the merchants (dot com, brick & mortar, catalogue on TV) provides customer service links to consumers who need to return or exchange an item.
The Return Store has chosen to use supermarkets as host locations because they generally offer convenient hours, ample parking, and shopping carts to handle larger items.
Graybow Communications Group produces the InfoPump Kiosk. InfoPump’s capabilities include: store directory, virtual walkthrough, e-commerce, data mining, digital asset management and web services. The kiosk is customizable with card readers, a print system for coupons, receipts, etc., and custom exterior treatments. For more information, contact Graybow Communications Group, (Tel) 800-900-8143, www.graybow.com.
AVG Inc., Ltd. a manufacturing of audio-animatronics has established AVG In-Store Interactive to serve the point of purchase industry. AVG's development of compact electric actuators makes it possible to infuse personality into in-store displays to incorporate interactivity and to manufacture these figures at competitive prices. Marketers can add a third dimension to the animated characters they use in their TV commercials, bringing them into the in-store environment. For more information, contact AVG In-Store Interactive, 9144 Deering Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311; (Tel) 818-998-0100; (Fax) 818-998-0233; (web site) www.a-v-g.com.
WebRaiser Technologies has designed the .com Kiosk as a business solution that instantly catches customers’ attention with a customizable front faceplate. The .com Kiosk solutions consists of a base housing and a changeable faceplate to experiment with different promotional themes and concepts. Standard configurations consist of touch screen and credit card interface and can be outfitted with printer, web camera, multi-media speakers and payment peripherals. For more information, contact WebRaiser Technologies, 10380 Rockingham Drive, Sacramento, CA 95827; (Tel) 916-363-1132, (Fax) 707-929-0665, (web site) www.webraiser.com.
Urban Cool Network Launches ‘Points Of Presence Network’
Urban Cool Network, Inc., a leading online network, has launched the “NetStand Broadcasting P.O.P.” network, consisting of broadband public Internet access kiosks that broadcast content to UCN “Points of Presence” (P.O.P.) throughout urban America where people eat, live, work and play.
It is well documented that the inner cities of America, made up primarily of minorities, are not online at home or work. UCN meets this need with public Internet access points.
Each NetStand kiosk provides free high-speed access to www.urbancool.com, e-mail and U.S. Government information.
UCN will feature major brand advertisements on its network.
Visual Circuits Launches H-DVP Server Pro
Visual Circuits, a Minneapolis-based supplier of digital video systems, has introduced the H-DVP Server Pro, a PC-based server that supports up to four channels of high definition television (HDTV). For the first time, retailers will be able to support multichannel HDTV presentations from a single server.
Larry Silber, Marketing Director, Visual Circuits, said, “Previously, users seeking multichannel HDTV presentations had to buy one server for each channel. Now, users will benefit from the lower costs and flexibility associated with our single source, multichannel, HDTV delivery system.”
Marconi Partners With Ten Square
Marconi Commerce Systems, a leading supplier of Web-enabled fuel dispensers, is partnering with Ten Square to provide its vast network of gas pumps with the latest Internet technology.
Ten Square will extend its digital interactive network across Marconi’s retail petroleum marketplace.
CONCEPTURE Allies With AIS
CONCEPTURE, a business unit of Dow Chemical, has formed an alliance with Advanced Information Systems to introduce the AIS CarTalker. AIS is launching the CT 2000 CarTalker to enable auto dealers to provide on-site, customized messages to potential vehicle buyers.
The system is attached to a vehicle window and contains a prerecorded message.
Interactive Music CD Grocery Display
Meyers Display has introduced an interactive multi-dimensional P.O.P. corrugated display for in-store supermarket and grocery sites, created and developed for Metacom Music. The display is the first corrugated P.O.P. which allows customers to preview top hits music selections prior to purchase. This is accomplished by using a unique interactive (battery operated) music touch pad developed by Metacom Music. The display has a high quality look and dramatic, bright intense colors. With the interactive music touch pad, immediate interest on the part of buyers is triggered at the point of sale. In addition, the interest of other shoppers is aroused and attracted to the display. The display's design and engineering makes it more economical to produce than the usual costly plastic and metal P.O.P. Displays. The Interactive Music CD Grocery Display was created by Meyers Display, 7277 Boone Avenue, N. Minneapolis, MN 55428-1519.
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