Toyota’s Scion Display Area Targets Gen Y Car Buyers
Toyota Motor Sales is marketing the new Scion xB model to an emerging culture of trend-setting, youthful new-car buyers. Dealers carrying the Scion brand will feature a “product area” that includes a 50-inch plasma screen, accessory display cases and a customized Scion xB model on display, aimed at these trend-setting youthful customers.
“Scion’s target buyer is information rich, time poor and highly technology savvy,” said Jim Farley, Scion V.P. at Toyota Motor Sales. “Scion caters to this influential generation with unique products, a distinctive dealership environment and a revolutionized sales process, all complemented by an astonishing sticker price.”
The Scion dealership environment caters to buyers who want the resources to answer their questions, but who also need the freedom to explore at their own pace.
The product area includes highlights of the vehicles' features on 50-inch plasma screens, several display cases, freestanding paint and fabric selector stands and a Scion vehicle customized with available accessories.
The discovery zone is supported by self-service Internet kiosks and printer stands where users can simulate customization of their chosen vehicle, including installation of about 40 accessories. This streamlines the purchase process and facilitates a more personalized shopping experience.
Toyota estimates that 63 million young people from Gen Y will reach driving age this decade - an average of seven every minute.
Mobile Media Station Helps Retailers Sell Mobile Content
ClearSky Mobile Media, Inc., Orlando, FL, is providing retailers with the ability to tap new revenue opportunities created by today’s new cell phones with its Mobile Media Station.
By providing a way for subscribers to select mobile content such as ringtones, wallpaper and games to download on their phones, retailers can tap what promises to be one of the largest aftermarket opportunities in wireless.
At the same time, the Mobile Media Station’s fun and interactive printing capabilities enable camera phone or digital camera owners to create memorable prints that will motivate them to come back time and time again. Using an intuitive touch screen interface, virtually anyone can learn about their mobile device and then make a purchase using the credit card swipe or optional bill scanner.
Polaroid Kiosk Produces Instant Digital Prints
The new Polaroid Instant Digital Prints Kiosk has the capability to print digital camera photos in seconds. As simple and fast as an ATM machine, the Polaroid Kiosk lets customers select, print and pay for 24 snapshots in less than two minutes.
The Kiosk is completely self-service. The digital prints look and feel like those from traditional 35mm film developing. Unlike traditional prints, Polaroid digital prints are tear-proof, waterproof and fingerprints can be wiped away.
Features include remote administration capabilities and reporting for chain-wide deployment. It can also offer credit card processing capabilities. The Polaroid Instant Digital Print Kiosk is ideal for retail establishments that welcome a self-service environment.
Suzuki Develops Sales P.R.O. Kiosk
American Suzuki Motor Corp. developed the Sales P.R.O. kiosk as an interactive selling tool.
The unit provides a workstation for the sales professional. Several features were incorporated into the display to make it as user friendly as possible including a pullout keyboard tray, a comfortable standing height and a raised monitor.
The display is made out of powder-coated steel tubing and melamine clad MDF.
Suzuki re-ordered this unit based on substantial demand from its dealer network.
The Sales P.R.O. kiosk was produced by RP Creative Display, Inc., a point-of-purchase display firm located in Irvine, CA.
Mazda Dealer Kiosk Improves Car Shopping Experience
To enable customers to “feel the Mazda experience,” Mazda partnered with software developer Nanonation to create interactive kiosks deployed at its dealerships.
What makes the system unique is the ability for Mazda to target the content for each of its dealerships. Customers can configure and shop for their ideal car, while getting treated to a multimedia experience. In addition to the enhanced customer experience, Mazda benefits from the systems’ ability to remotely monitor, manage and track each kiosk no matter where it is located.
Jim Hoostal, Director, Retail Development, Mazda, said, “The kiosks enable us to showcase our products in a way that can’t be done through traditional brochures or media. The interactive system complements the dealer experience to help the customer better understand the benefits and possibilities of owning a Mazda.”
Braun’s Syncro Razor Displayed In Club Stores
The Braun Shaver display was designed to create consumer awareness and educate consumers about the Braun Syncro razor’s benefits, including its self-cleaning feature.
The display was created for on-counter position in Club stores and was a radical departure from typical display vehicles in the electric men's shaver category. It encourages consumers to interact with the razor on impulse, rather than having to wait for a sales associate to remove it from under the counter.
The display is engineered to be durable. Because the club store environment can be dark, high concept style and graphic layouts were implemented to allow the display to stand out.
The Braun Syncro Shaver display was created by New Dimensions Research Corp., a p.o.p. display firm located in Melville, NY.
Starbucks Launches In-store CD Burning
Starbucks Coffee Co., through its Hear Music brand, has launched a retail digital music service, enabled by HP, that makes it easier for customers to discover, acquire and enjoy music while they enjoy their coffee.
The Company recently opened the Hear Music Coffeehouse in Santa Monica, CA and plans to deploy the Hear Music CD burning service to select Starbucks stores, offering customers the ability to burn more than 20,000 full length albums and hundreds of thousands of songs available from a comprehensive digital library. Customers can enjoy a Starbucks beverage while sitting at the Hear Music listening bar, which is staffed with music experts who can personally suggest new artists and guide customers to new genres, while burning a personalized CD. Customers can also explore themed recommendations throughout the store at listening stations featuring music, video and editorial format.
“Innovations like our exclusive music compilations, the Starbucks Card and placing Wi-Fi access in Starbucks stores have transformed the way that millions of our customers enjoy their coffeehouse experience,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks Chairman.
Piggly Wiggly Rolls Out Pay By Touch
Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co. and Pay By Touch Inc., San Francisco, CA, have formed a partnership that will give grocery customers in South Carolina and Georgia the option of paying for purchases using a finger scan linked to their financial accounts.
The one-time enrollment process for Pay By Touch at a store takes less than a minute-shoppers scan their finger, enter a search code and swipe reward cards and/or payment cards as well as checking account information to build their Pay By Touch eWallet. The Pay By Touch finger scanning technology creates a set of geometric points that allows for a secure identity match at retail point of sale. After enrollment, customers simply scan their finger and select their preferred payment method, eliminating the need for cash, cards or checks.
“We’re confident our customers will embrace this faster, safer way to pay in our stores,” said David Schools, Sr. V.P., Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co. “Pay By Touch allows us to get them through check-out faster, and to make their payments more secure.”
Argo Entertainment Opens Mall-Based ‘Virtual Store’
Silicon Valley-based Argo Entertainment recently opened its first Mall-based HD theater dubbed, “Metropolis Shopping and Entertainment” in a new upscale mall in San Jose, CA. This is the first of a planned network of “virtual store” marketing and entertainment centers in shopping malls across the U.S.
The free-theater offers consumers a constant barrage of high-definition quality entertainment videos-15-minute product “stories” that show continuously during open hours. The videos interact directly with in-seat, touch-screens to access proprietary online technologies, newly developed sound systems, holograms and sign-up technologies to draw consumers. In less than 15 minutes, consumers can experience what a Hummer really can do, or watch a mini-feature produced by Nissan to show what one of their cars can do in a city that has been literally shut down and order information online to be delivered to a personal Web Site.
IntelliMat is digital signage on the floor by Decision Point Marketing. IntelliMat combines the audio and visual power of TV with the interactive capability of a computer in any high traffic environment. IntelliMat is thin and durable (only .8" thick). Ads can be changed immediately and wirelessly. IntelliMat is easily repositioned within a location. It is great for situations where space is at a premium and it can be positioned right in front of products, where purchase decisions are made. For more information, contact Decision Point Marketing, 2840 Hershberger Road, Roanoke, VA 24017; (Tel) 877-725-3447.
Impart Inc., a leading full service provider of dynamic media solutions, has created a new class of point-of-contact merchandising displays available as a collection of mirror designs, custom-branded mirrors and custom LCD-embedded 3-D displays. Each design includes an LCD screen and a hidden speaker and control circuitry, which is embedded into a single-channel video display. The displays are currently deployed at Neiman Marcus stores coast-to-coast to promote cosmetics, jewelry, art and general merchandise. Steven Corey, Chairman of Impart, said, “By using MPEG player technology we have created true plug and play displays which dramatically reduces the cost of ownership because cables and DVD players are eliminated.” For more information, contact Impart Inc., 1101 N. Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103, (Tel) 206-633-1852; (Web) www.impartinc.com.
Pacific Digital Corp. has introduced Digi-Sign, a low-cost digital signage solution. Digi-Sign has a 10.4” TFT, active-matrix, flat-screen LCD with 800x600 resolution. Digi-Sign holds up to 80 images and music in onboard memory and transitions between messages at preset intervals. Digi-Sign is a stand-alone system, and can display advertising messages on its flat LCD screen in a continuous slideshow with stereo sound-without a PC. Digi-Sign can also drive an external Plasma or LCD monitor. For more information, contact Pacific Digital Corp., 2052 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA 92606; (Tel) 949-252-1111, (Fax) 949-477-9397, (Web Site) www.pacificdigital.com.
Eletech Electronics is offering its QuickWave model EM3028B digital sound repeater for exhibit and point of purchase display applications. Housed in a rugged metal case, EM3028B is a stand-alone unit capable of reproducing more than a hundred different sound tracks stored on a tiny CompactFlash memory card. It reproduces the sound in its original quality by eliminating the need for sound format conversion, which often introduces noises and distortions. EM3028B can be powered by a single voltage DC supply. The built-in 40-watt power amplifier eliminates the need for an external amplifier in most cases. For more information, contact Eletech Electronics, 16025 Kaplan Avenue, Industry, CA 91744; (Tel) 626-333-6394, (Web Site) www.eletech.com.
Hankscraft Inc., offers a brochure describing Animated Audio, a patented technology that combines lenticular animation with synchronized sound. Sounds from any media format are directly programmed onto an integrated chip housed within the Animated Audio case. For a copy, contact Hankscraft, Inc., 300 Wengel Drive, Reedsburg, WI 53959; (Tel) 608-524-4341; (Web) www.hankscraft.com.
Sarnoff Corp. has unveiled FabriLED, a programmable sign that integrates superbright LEDs with woven fabric to create a low cost, eye catching messaging medium for displays and exhibits. FabriLED signs are available in standard dimensions of one, two, or three feet high by up to 20 feet long. The woven material is flexible in all dimensions, allowing the signs to conform to any shape. The lightweight signs roll up into a shipping tube for transportation. For more information, contact Sarnoff Corp., (Tel) 609-734-3178, (Fax) 609-734-2040, (Web) www.fabriled.com.
Kiosks Let Consumers Send Chicago Foods Across America
Insight 360 Degrees has placed touch screen kiosks in famous Chicago restaurants so customers can order and have shipped the restaurants’ signature mail order foods to recipients anywhere in the U.S. Portillo’s in-store customers now will be able to solve gift needs by using the kiosks.
Dave Milazzo, V.P., Marketing for Insight 360, said the goal was to allow kiosk customers, with little or no computer experience to feel comfortable while shopping. “The ordering process allows a customer to complete a transaction in an average of only 4 minutes,” he said.
Exxon Mobil Deploys Self-Service Kiosks
Exxon Mobil is deploying self-service automated touchscreen kiosks to its Tiger Market stores in Memphis, TN.
The terminals will provide customers with convenient access to a wide variety of services including bill payment (using cash and credit cards), wireless (Wi-Fi) access, money transfer, money order purchasing, pre-paid telecommunications and pre-paid mobile phone content (games and ring tones).
The electronic services kiosks have been produced for Exxon Mobil by Info Touch Technologies, Burnaby, B.C.
Coinstar Kiosks Bring “New York Minute” To Supermarkets
Coinstar, Inc., the leader in self-service coin counting, recently partnered with Warner Bros. Pictures to promote the movie “New York Minute,” starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Customers who process at least $10 worth of change at Coinstar Center kiosks in participating supermarkets will get their cash plus a sweepstakes entry to win the grand prize of a New York Minute themed trip for four to NYC, including a $1,000 shopping spree, Broadway tickets and a city tour.
“Coinstar’s high traffic visibility in more than 10,000 U.S. supermarkets, combined with their customer base of teens and parents, make this a unique opportunity for Warner Bros. to provide added value to our New York Minute movie experience,” said Erin Corbett, Sr. V.P., National Promotions, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Joint marketing efforts include promotional signage installed on Coinstar Centers.
Alpine Navigation Display. This display demonstrates the Alpine Car Navigation System. It is fully functional and interactive. Significant increases in Navigation sales were reported following the rollout of the display. Created by RP Creative Display, Inc., l7932 Sky Park Circle, Suite A, Irvine, CA 926l4. BRONZE AWARD.
J&J/Vistakon Acuvue Display Program. The Acuvue merchandising elements build interest in the brand, while offering a benefit to eyecare professionals. Acuvue colors were leveraged in terms of different types of office environments featuring a custom blue and silver color palette. Multiple manufacturing processes were combined to create the appropriate appearance. Two types of displays were created, one for freestanding use and one for countertops. Created by RTC Industries, Inc., 2800 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008. BRONZE AWARD.
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