Barnes & Noble Launches In-Store NOOK Boutiques
Barnes & Noble is expanding its in-store NOOK displays to full-service eReading NOOK Boutiques to accommodate this rapidly growing segment of Barnes & Noble's business. The boutiques, which will begin rolling out this summer and through the fall, mark yet another enhancement to the in-store experience which drives book lovers to visit Barnes & Noble stores.
"We entered the eBook market a year ago confident our bookstores would be a huge competitive asset, and a year later, the role of our retail channel in the success of NOOK and eBooks, and the popularity of our in-store eReading features have crystallized this advantage," said William J. Lynch, CEO of Barnes & Noble. "No other company is doing what Barnes & Noble is doing, utilizing its store footprint and innovative technology to add value to the customer's eReading experience - including unique features such as digital eBook lending, free Wi-Fi connectivity, in-store browsing of complete eBooks and exclusive content, and more."
The 1,000 square-foot boutiques will feature demonstration tables and multiple operating NOOK devices for trial. An adjoining wall and large flat panel display will feature video demos of NOOK eBook Readers and display more than 100 accessories, including NOOK covers by popular designers such as kate spade new york, Jack Spade, Jonathan Adler and Lilly Pulitzer. Each NOOK Boutique will be fully staffed by knowledgeable booksellers who will offer book lovers device demonstrations, help customers download Barnes & Noble's free NOOK software to their mobile or computing devices, and provide ongoing support.
Lindeman’s Wines Conducts ‘Great Finds’ Campaign
Lindemans is using JAGTAG 2D mobile barcodes to enhance its in-store marketing and create a more interactive shopping experience. By leveraging JAGTAG mobile 2D barcodes, Lindemans will enable consumers to enter a mobile sweepstakes for the chance to win a weekend getaway to one of five “Great Finds” locations.
JAGTAG mobile 2D barcodes will be featured in Lindemans take-one booklets and point-of-sale materials. Consumers can snap and send a photo of the Lindemans-branded JAGTAGs with any camera phone to automatically enter to win a free trip. Consumers can win a “Great Finds” getaway to one of five unique vacation destinations, including Healdsburg, CA; Sedona, AZ; Mackinac Island, MI; Asheville, NC; and Block Island, RI BFG Communications, a Hilton Head-based marketing firm, developed the national “Great Finds” campaign.
DR. SCHOLL'S® Custom Fit Orthotic Centers Now In Stores
Merck Consumer Care has introduced Dr. Scholl's® Custom Fit Orthotic Centers to help people find customized solutions for their tired, achy feet. The kiosks use revolutionary FootMapping® Technology to measure arch type and the areas they put the most pressure on to recommend the most appropriate Custom Fit™ Orthotic.
"We've combined state-of-the-art foot measurement technology with consumer-friendly software to make it quick and easy for people to find the Dr. Scholl's® Custom Fit™ Orthotic Inserts that are best for their feet," said Charles Lundy, associate director of Footcare Research and Development at Merck Consumer Care. “For the first time, this smart technology is available nationally and could save you hundreds of dollars compared to other custom orthotic inserts sold at retail stores.”
Pop-Tarts World Features Interactive Displays
Kellogg Company has opened Pop-Tarts World™ in New York City, the first retail store and café that offers an exciting peek behind the foil and an experience that truly shows off the spirit of all-American fun that has been associated with Pop-Tarts® since its introduction 46 years ago.
Pop-Tarts World™ features interactive displays, entertainment, a diverse café menu inspired by Pop-Tarts® toaster pastries and merchandise.
“From the frosting, sprinkles and delicious flavors to its colorful packaging and one-of-a-kind imagery, the Pop-Tarts® brand has always cultivated an iconic spirit of fun that is beloved by millions of Americans,” said Pop-Tarts® Brand Manager Andrew Shripka. “Our new retail experience brings this fun to life by providing a unique, multi-sensory experience.”
The whimsical store design highlights the entertaining nature of Pop-Tarts® and features a full-service café of more than 30 Pop-Tarts® creations. It also offers a wide variety of merchandise and apparel, interactive touch screen stations featuring Pop-Tarts® games, a “varietizer” that allows guests to create custom-mixed boxes of Pop-Tarts® and a T-shirt customization station where visitors can customize their own Pop-Tarts® T-shirts.
Coca-Cola & Simon Property Group Announce Alliance
Simon Property Group, and The Coca-Cola Co, have announced a multi-year marketing alliance. “This agreement with Coca-Cola underscores the importance of the mall venue for major brands like Coca-Cola to engage important demographic groups,” said Mikael Thygesen, Simon’s CMO.
Thygesen SAID that as an indication of the value of the relationship, Simon, was the first mall operator to feature the Coca-Cola Interactive Video Vender, the latest in touch-screen vending technology.
Beatriz Perez, CMO, Coca-Cola NA, said, “The mall channel represents fertile ground for Coca-Cola to connect with key consumer target groups such as teens. Whether commercializing our interactive vending machines, or collaborating on special events, our marketing partnership with Simon is a great way to build and show our brands.”
Uniliever Launches Smile-Activated Ice Cream Vending Unit
SapientNitro has unveiled the world’s first smile-activated vending machine for Unilever, the world’s biggest ice cream manufacturer of such diverse brands such as Wall’s, Ben & Jerry’s, Good Humor, Breyers and Klondike.
Here is how it works: An entertaining “attractor screen” playfully immerses a passerby into the world of augmented reality. Once drawn closer to the machine, the person is prompted for a big smile and the 'smile-o-meter' measures his or her grin. A photo is then taken and with permission uploaded onto Facebook. The consumer can pick out his or her free ice cream by using the touch-screen interface on the vending machine. To create this experience, SapientNitro harnessed the power of the latest technology across a number of realms, including facial recognition, 3G and Facebook.
Paper Jamz Toy Guitars Displayed At Walgreens
Walgreens is featuring an interactive Paper Jamz display to give customers the opportunity to try out the guitar in store.
“We believe Paper Jamz will be the hot new toy and technology for kids,” said Bryan Pugh, Walgreens Vice President of Merchandising.
Produced by WowWee, Paper Jamz instruments are battery-operated guitars and drum sets that feature Active Graphics™ Technology, meaning that music is played based on embedded touch sensors.
Sharp Interactive Display Features TVs At Best Buy
This end cap fixture for Sharp at Best Buy balances the needs of the brand and the retailer as it fits well within the branded interior of the store while still amplifying the Sharp brand message.
This display features an engaging interactive device that magnifies the pixels on the screen, allowing shoppers to see Sharp’s addition of yellow pixels to the RGB mix for more accurate color representation. This display was created for Sharp by AMD Industries, (www.amdpop.com), a Cicero, IL-based p.o.p display firm.
faceVsion Displays Its HD Products At Fry’s
faceVsion Technology, Fremont, CA, a manufacturer of premium HD video communication products , has broken into the U.S. retail channel with its TouchCam N1 and FVexpress Combo video call/chat products, now on display at Fry’s Electronics, which operates 34 stores in Northern/Southern California, Texas, Idaho, Illinois, Georgia, Arizona, Oregon, Indiana, Nevada, and Washington. To support the rollout of faceVsion products at Fry’s, customers could buy one faceVsion TouchCam N1 and get another free instantly during the introductory period.
faceVsion’s lineup of HD VideoCams are the only currently available video communications products that offer genuine 720p HD video streaming over the Internet and feature advanced hardware H.264 video encoding and a host of other features to deliver a stunning HD experience.
shopkick Unveils New Location-Based Retail Technology At Best Buy Stores
Best Buy has unveiled shopkick’s’ mobile shopping application. shopkick offers the first location-based mobile application that promises consumer offers and rewards for just walking into a retail location. Unlike traditional GPS location-based services that require a shopper to “check in,” “shopkick Signal” technology requires no consumer check in.
For Best Buy, shopkick is part of an experiment to explore the likelihood that consumers will redeem rewards points and offers through mobile retail applications. Customers may walk up to the cashier, provide the mobile phone number connected to their shopkick app, and any applicable personalized discounts immediately appear on their receipt.
Starbucks Announces New In-Store Digital Network
The Starbucks Digital Network, in partnership with Yahoo!, will debut on Wi-Fi enabled lap-tops, tablets and smart phones in U.S. Starbucks. The Starbucks Digital Network is inspired by Starbucks passion to create a unique coffeehouse environment, its heritage of recommending music, books and films to its customers, and a growing interest in engaging with the brand digitally.
“We’re creating an online destination that will be true to the Starbucks experience by delivering free, premium offerings that are selected specifically for our customers and localized for personal and community relevance,” said Stephen Gillett, General Manager of Digital Ventures, a business unit of Starbucks.
The Starbucks Digital Network will offer free access to various paid sites and services, exclusive content and previews, free downloads, career tools and local community news.
EyeClick has unveiled the next generation of interactive window touch screen technology. With the New EyeTouch technology, foil is no longer required to enable touch activated window projection. The revolutionary optical system takes the place of foil, offering many advantages. Now there are no size limitations for the interactive display, the system integrates with any glass surface regardless of type or treatment, and the installation is simpler. The system has the option to detect and react to passers-by from a distance. EyeTouch has statistic capabilities and the ability to create advanced usage reports. For more information, visit EyeClick Ltd.at;
(Web site) www.eyeclick.com
New NFL Flasgship Store Features Virtual Game
EyeClick has created an interactive football game as part of a virtual display in the new Flagship NFL Retail store at the new Meadowlands stadium in NJ. Four BenQ projectors create the virtual display on the central floor of the store.
One of the unique features of the store is its ability to be transformed on each team's game day. If the Giants are playing, mirrors and clothing walls can be flipped revealing their blue and red memorabilia and then flipped back to see the Jet’s green and white merchandise on their respective game day. EyeClick's interactive football game can also be flipped to highlight one team or the other’s logo.
JAGTAG & AXE Conduct Mobile Barcode Program
JAGTAG will drive a new mobile marketing campaign for AXE deodorant, as part of the launch of the newest addition to the AXE fragrance portfolio - AXE Twist. The collaboration between the two companies marks the largest multichannel program in the U.S. market using a mobile 2D barcode.
JAGTAG mobile barcodes appear in AXE Twist marketing efforts promoting exclusive content from the AXE Twisted Humor Tour, presented by Funny or Die. To reach the AXE target demographic, guys 18-24 years of age, JAGTAG mobile barcodes will be featured across multiple media channels including print inserts within men’s magazines, in sample packs distributed at college campuses, in hand-outs and signage within movie theatres, and at Six Flags theme parks. With JAGTAG barcodes featured alongside AXE Twist product samples and promotional materials, consumers can snap a photo of the JAGTAGs and instantly receive exclusive videos featuring comedians from the AXE Twisted Humor Tour.
“For AXE to stay relevant we need to constantly innovate and find new ways and channels to entertain our consumer where he lives, works and plays,” said Mike Dwyer, AXE Marketing Director.
Total Immersion Teams With Nike On AR Slot Machine
Nike’s AR slot machine visited the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing and the X Games circuit recently to showcase Nike’s 6.0 running shoe. As part of Nike 6.0’s commitment to rich brand interaction with action sports fans, Total Immersion has teamed up with ad agency Wieden+Kennedy to offer the world’s only augmented reality slot machine.
At promotional events, visitors to the Nike tent have a chance to win a pair of Nike 6.0 shoes and additional prizes - all based on the spinning wheels of the AR-generated slot machine. To activate it, the player displays the ticket in front of a camera; on-screen, the ticket morphs into an oversize 3D slot machine that then appears in the attendee’s hand. Players can even see themselves on the “coin” that triggers the slot machine, thanks to Total Immersion’s face-mapping technology.
Pharmacy Health Network Display
This display was created to extend the reach of the Pharmacy Health Network by providing customers with a tangible “leave behind.” The brochure rack is designed to be flexible to accommodate all different brochure sizes. It is available as a floor stand, or the brochure display can be mounted to the wall or counter-top. This Pharmacy Health Network Brochure Display was created by Harbor Industries, 14130 172nd Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Harbor Industries offers a LCD touchscreen monitor for digital signage applications. A smart, hands-on solution for interacting with consumers at retail, The HBR-42-T is a durable 42” touchscreen system that helps give consumers the information and details they need where and when they need them. The lightweight, high resolution monitor offers high brightness and a 178º viewing angle. For more information, contact Harbor Industries, 14130 172nd Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Jabra is using this Halo Interactive Floor Display to merchandise its wireless Stereo blue tooth head sets. The high end display offers interactive audio and a back lit panel which provides product information. It is constructed primarily of steel. The unit offers an edge lit acrylic header to capture the consumers’ attention. For more information, contact Flair Display Inc., 3920 Merritt Avenue, Bronx, NY 10466.
Omnimount is using this display to merchandise its TV Wall Mounts in all Sam’s Club USA retail locations. The display features a 10.2" interactive touch screen monitor in front, which plays an instructional video. Clear acrylic panels allow customers to view and interact with the mounts. The unit is shipped in kit form split up into three sections for easy shipping and assembly. This Omnimount display was created by Kosakura, 2215 S. Standard Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92707.
LG has developed an immersive shopper experience to promote its mobile phones within independent AT&T and Verizon retail locations across the country. This modular program is easily adapted to a variety of store environments. The displays provide extensive customer interaction with live phones and they explain special phone features through video tutorials. In addition, the displays provide strong visual identification for the LG brand. This display program was created for LG Mobile Phones by AMD Industries, Inc., 4620 W. 19th, Cicero, IL 60804.
Synsor Corporation has developed an innovative camera bar display for Eastman Kodak Company for use in select Sears' stores. The display features an interactive LCD. The LCD has a continuous silent attract loop and on-demand consumer information feed. This interactive display design capture the consumer's attention with a brightly lit, flat panel LCD screen playing an attract loop. Consumers push the bright-red button to launch a voice-over segment about Kodak's Pulse Digital Frame. The displays are shipped to Sears' retail locations ready for installation. For more information, contact Synsor Corp., 1920 Merrill Creek Pkwy., Everett, WA 98203.
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