Levi’s Tests New Scanner That Recommends Jeans
Levi’s is testing the Intellifit System electronic body scanner in five of its stores to help consumers select the best fitting pair of jeans. When a fully clothed person steps into the cylindrical glass booth, the Intellifit System scans the person in 10 seconds and prints out recommended sizes and styles of Levi’s Jeans based on his or her measurements.
“With so many styles and brands available, it’s easy to understand why consumers struggle to find truly great fitting jeans,” said Emily Hood, Levi’s Brand Fit & Garment Dev. Manager. “We’ve been perfecting the fit of jeans and continue to use the latest technology, like the Intellifit System, to provide the best overall range of jeans.”
Sprint Introduces New Store Design
Sprint has unveiled a new store design aimed at changing the way consumers shop for communications services in retail stores.
The newly redesigned Sprint Stores, launching throughout 2005, mix cutting-edge design and customer-friendly programs to make shopping for communications services a unique and Zen-like experience.
“When you purchase a wireless phone, you’re really making a long-term investment in a communications partner, so Sprint created a retail concept that embodies the customer-centric attitude and consultative shopping experience that customers expect,” said John Mickey, Vice President, Sprint Store Management. “We’ve created a concept that breaks the mold of the traditional telecom retail store.”
Existing Sprint Stores are implementing convenience-driven improvements such as In-Store Repair; eTicket software that allows store staff to more quickly assess and manage handset issues; and a designated Host to assist customers as they enter the store. The entire Sprint Store has been redesigned to integrate a modern, upscale purchasing experience with more open space for easy, self-guided navigation.
The new store also incorporates significant atmosphere enhancements, from the music
playing overhead in the store-which is a compilation of music that customers can also download as ringers on their phone-to graphics that can easily be changed with the season.
Sprint worked with Los Angeles-based designer Richard Altuna and Kansas City firm Rees Masilionis Turley to create the new store design.
YesDVD Generator Kiosk Is Offered To Retailers
YesVideo, Santa Clara, CA, has introduced its YesDVD Generator digital kiosk for high-speed, in-store transfers of photos and video clips from digital cameras to DVD.
The YesDVD Generator digital kiosk will provide the fastest speed and most options for in-store transfers of photos and video clips from digital cameras to a Hollywood-style DVD.
Sai-Wai Fu, CEO of Yes Video, said, “With the YesDVD Generator digital kiosk, photo retailers now have an easy, affordable and timely way to upgrade their customers to a photo DVD, which is a superior solution to a picture CD.”
Onscreen instructions and simple touch-screen interface make the interactive kiosk system consumer-friendly.
Sony Slimline PictureStation Kiosk Debuts
Sony Electronics has introduced the slimline PictureStation digital photofinishing kiosk, which is designed to take up about half the floor space of conventional kiosks.
The slimline model fits into an array of retail environments. It is just 17" wide, yet shares the same software features and ease of operation as the full-sized deluxe PictureStation.
The slimline PictureStation is capable of producing prints in just 8 seconds and 5x7 prints in only 15 seconds.
The generous screen size and menu-driven commands provide the ability to create layouts and collages, add text and even to modify images from color into black and white or sepia tone.
Republic Bank Deploys Digital Signage Network
Captive Indoor Media has deployed an in-branch digital signage network to Republic Bank banking centers in Kentucky, using a FireCast suite from WireSpring Technologies.
Republic Bank uses the digital signage to inform and entertain customers while they are waiting for service. This helps Republic to help expand the relationship with each customer, while reducing the perceived waiting time.
Michael Sadofsky, Sr. V.P., Marketing Republic Bank, said, “With the system, we can inform our customers of product changes and upcoming promotions. Republic’s approach, both in the branch and in drive-through lanes, is an example of how banks can use dynamic signage to enhance the customer experience.”
Hollister Integrates Beach Experience Into Video Displays
Hollister, a Southern California-themed brand of Abercrombie & Fitch, has integrated the real-life beach experience into its stores through a unique video solution, which features live footage from two cameras mounted at the famous Huntington Beach Pier.
The video feeds are displayed in real time in Hollister Stores on two large Video Windows, each measuring more than 5 feet by 5 feet and consisting of nine liquid crystal displays. PlayNetwork of Redmond, WA, created the Video Window system. The signals are distributed via private satellite and landline network narrowcasts to Hollister stores nationwide.
Stephen Dorsey, V.P. Marketing, PlayNetwork, said, “With this digital signage solution, Hollister has virtually transported its stores from shopping centers to the beach itself. This takes branding to a new level.”
MusicATMs To Be Placed In Retail Locations
Mediaport Entertainment has joined forces with QuietTiger and Top Hits Entertainment to install MusicATMs in retail locations throughout the U.S.
The MusicATM kiosk provides the equivalent content of a 60,000 sq. ft. music store within 6 sq. ft. of retail floor space. The process allows a music buyer to purchase full-length music CDs, create their own labeled compilations CDs or download entire albums or specific tracks to a portable music player in as little as 30 seconds.
Customers will be able to purchase their CDs with QuietTiger’s MediaMax content management and enhancement technology, which provides additional bonus content including advertising and marketing opportunities. The partnership will benefit from Top Hits’ existing widespread retail network and Mediaport’s MusicATM hardware.
MSN Teams With Sprite For Online Music Marketing
MSN and Sprite have joined forces to launch The Scenario, an exclusive, branded, online entertainment experience designed for teens. The Scenario is a unique place on the Web where teens can experience the hottest hip-hop DJs, connect with each other through MSN Messenger and connect with the Sprite brand.
“We collaborated with MSN to develop The Scenario because it offered innovative ways to integrate Sprite into the MSN Music service,” said Geoff Cottrill, Group Director of Entertainment Marketing at Coca-Cola NA. “Working closely with MSN and its Branded Entertainment and Experiences Team, we have created an experience that embraces the passion that teens have for music and to bring Sprite to the millions who visit MSN every day.”
“The Scenario is an entirely new way of connecting with teens where they live on MSN, in MSN Messenger and on MSN Music,” said Gayle Troberman, Director of the Branded Entertainment and Experiences Team. “We expect to help make Sprite a part of the teen consumer’s digital experience every day.”
The campaign will employ cross-network promotions and advertising to draw audiences to the site.
The Visobox Multi-Image Display is a space-saving, visually exciting promotional tool allowing single-unit display of multiple images. Its patented motor-driven lenticular technology enables the image transitions. The Visobox features variable image-cycle rates with four speed options. A variety of models as well as custom colors are available. Promotional graphics can be replaced as desired. Graphics can be changed easily without tools. For more information, contact G Design Group, P.O. Box 26, Oakland, NJ 07652; (Tel) 201-556-1126, (Fax) 201-556-1292.
EndCap Visions’ ability to play full motion videos with price overlays allows vendors to benefit from their national TV campaigns while displaying individual store price promotions at POP. Shoppers are drawn to the merchandise by the “big event” feeling each screen provides for the products they are located with. EndCap Vision provides for unlimited scheduling, play any promotion on any screen in the store; low production costs, full motion video or layered text and graphics with over 16 million colors. Captive Audience provides turnkey installation of all EndCap Visions. For more information, contact Captive Audience, 1 Industrial Drive, Vernon, NJ 07462; (Tel) 973-209-3400, (Web) www.get-ca.com.
GFX Dynamics’ SmartTable is a display table that comes with integrated RFID antennas and hardware designed to automatically trigger targeted dynamic digital content from a shopper’s movement of RFID-tagged merchandise. The Company’s proprietary software reacts to any combination of product movements. For more information, contact GFX Dynamics, 333 Barron Blvd., Grayslake, IL 60030; (Tel) 866-903-9626, (Web) www.gfxdynamics.com.
Kinoton America offers Litefast 360 degree displays. Dazzling, almost holographic visual effects are created by thousands of red, green and blue light emitting diodes (LED), which mounted on vertical bars rotating rapidly in a transparent cylinder generate brilliant images that seem to hover in thin air. Litefast 360 degree displays are available in two versions: Litefast Motion shows commercials, corporate information and any other content. The high-resolution display can present 16.7 million colors for brilliant, natural appearing images. Litefast Graphics lets texts, pictures or graphics levitate magically. For more information, contact Kinoton America, 8 Goodenough St., Boston, MA 02135-1903; (Tel) 617-562-0003, (Fax) 617-787-4253, (Web Site) www.kinotonamerica.com.
Scala Broadcast Multimedia offers its InfoChannel ® software suite for point-of-sale advertising, signage and interactive kiosk applications. The InfoChannel software suite handles authoring, networking, monitoring and logged playback. It supports any existing network infrastructure from dial-up to LAN to Wi-Fi to satellite and terrestrial-based multicast networks. InfoChannel allows the control of unique content on a single cable line or thousands of displays or kiosks from a single desktop. For more information, contact Scala Broadcast Multimedia, 350 Eagleview Blvd., Exton, PA 19341; (Tel) 610-363-3344, (Fax) 610-363-4010, (Web) www.scala.com.
SSD Company Ltd., has launched a “Virtual Sports Challenge” interactive exhibit at INNOVENTIONS, a hands-on interactive exhibit at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. This new 1,135 sq. ft. exhibit offers visitors an opportunity to experience the excitement and potential of interactive technology through hands-on demonstrations of XaviX interactive sports games. Equipped with large-screen TV, XaviXPORT consoles and XaviXBaseball, XaviXBowling and XaviXTennis games, the exhibit showcases how XaviX combines leading-edge human interface sensors to allow any TV to respond directly to a user’s actions. The games are designed to get players up and moving as they bowl a strike, throw a curveball or hit a pitch.
PeopleVisionFX produces SpokesMannequins, animated characters based on its technique for three-dimensional projection. A three-dimensional video signal is matched with a dimensional screen, producing a projection of any face. The resulting image accurately presents the voice and likeness recorded from a live performer. For more information, contact PeopleVisionFX, 311 East 1st Avenue, Roselle, NJ 07203; (Tel) 908-298-9876, (Web Site) www.peoplevisionfx.com.
Kodak & NASCAR Launch Cross Promo.
Kodak and NASCAR have launched a promotion whereby customers making photo prints at one of the 15,000 KODAK Picture Maker kiosks can collect one of 11 souvenir NASCAR photos. The kiosks will direct consumers to participate in an online sweepstakes, which offers prizes ranging from NASCAR jackets to a grand prize behind-the-scenes race experience.
When the KODAK Picture Maker is idle a looping video will encourage consumers to print out collectible photos and enter the sweepstakes. Posters and tear-cards help stores promote the campaign. The promotion was developed by Eric Mower & Associates.
NAVITOUCH Kiosks Deployed In Circle K
NAVITOUCH, a division of WMD, is deploying its interactive NAVITOUCH kiosks to Circle K convenience stores throughout the west coast region.
NAVITOUCH, a division of WMD, uses Interactive Digital Display (IDD) technology to create powerful digital messages displayed on touchscreen monitors that enable consumer interaction. Advertising on the NAVITOUCH system provides advertisers opportunities for direct, immediate interaction with the public and quantified feedback from the NAVITOUCH network.
Chris Wilson, Director of Marketing for Circle K Stores, said of the NAVITOUCH partnership, “We are pleased to bring this unique menu of shopper services to our customers. We have already seen evidence that these services increase in-store traffic and the point-of-purchase advertising creates additional profits for Circle K and its suppliers.”
Strat-I-Vision free-standing kiosk systems are completely self-contained and can be located virtually anywhere. They are durable, versatile and ideal for use as remote Internet terminals, product locators and more. For more information about Strat-I-Vision free-standing kiosk systems, contact TriSource, Inc., 415 Howe Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484; (Tel) 203-924-7030, (Fax) 203-924-7045, (Web site) www.trisourceinc.com.
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