AT&T Unveils New Store Concept
AT&T has unveiled a new way to shop for communications and entertainment services with the official re-branding of a Cingular store in Houston, TX. It is the first of many planned conversions of Cingular stores from wireless-centric spaces to a high energy showcase for AT&T’s complete phone profile.
The new AT&T Experience Store is the first to feature a fully integrated media experience that encourages interaction with AT&T’s complete portfolio of wireless, broadband, video and wireline voice products and services. The 5,000-sq. ft. store will feature several new retail concepts including six integrated “customer experience” stations encouraging customer interaction. The stations include: AT&T Entertainment--Customers are invited to watch AT&T U-verse TV and AT&T Homezone service demonstrations on three 52" high-definition plasma TVs, experience high definition programming and browse an extensive video on demand catalog. AT&T Home Connections-Customers will be able to browse the Internet and customize AT&T Yahoo! Homepage portals. Music-Customers will be able to listen to XM Satellite Radio with wireless phones, Bluetooth headphones and also transfer personalized music content.
Gaming-Demonstrate game downloading to wireless phones. Messaging And Video-This station will highlight 3G phones and Bluetooth accessories. Laptop Mobility, E-mail and Data-Geared toward road warriors, this station will include wireless phones, PDAs, Smartphones, GPS and Bluetooth accessories. Other store features include four dozen screens located throughout the store, 32-inch LCD displays and a series of “Guided Selling Kiosks.”
Lexus Promotes Safety With Interactive Windows
Lexus was looking for an exciting and innovative way to bring its safety message for the RX 350 luxury SUV to life. Lexus selected MonsterMedia, Orlando, FL, (www.monstermedia.net), a leading provider of patented interactive advertising systems, to use its flagship product, MonsterVision, to make store-front windows interact with passing consumers.
Lexus revealed its MonsterVision ads on retail storefronts simultaneously in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The storefronts are covered by enormous, full motion ads that react to pedestrian movement and engage consumers in a new interactive way that allows them to literally control the ad.
The ads allow participants to witness car collisions on huge video displays and “undo” them by interacting with the ads using their own body movements.
The safety-focused ads are larger than life, flaunting color, sound and motion at once, communicating the brand’s latest safety message, "The safest accidents are the ones that never happen."
“These attention-grabbing ads allow us to really engage our consumers, involve them in the brand, and stress our commitment to style, safety, luxury and performance,” said Robin Pisz, National Manager, Lexus Advertising and Media.
John Payne, President, Monster Media, said, “Lexus is at the forefront of the luxury
automobile industry and it’s only fitting that they utilize the most advanced innovation in interactive advertising.”
Kodak Launches New 'Compact' Photo Kiosk
Eastman Kodak has introduced the Kodak Picture Kiosk GS Compact, providing retailers an easy to use, plug and play solution.
“The new Kodak Picture Kiosk GS Compact provides retailers a compact category solution that delivers retailer profit out of the box in only minutes,” said Nicki Zongrone, General Manager, Worldwide Kiosk Systems and Services and V.P., Consumer Digital Imaging Group.
Its compact countertop design is extremely space efficient and well-suited for smaller shops with demand for 30-70 prints per day.
The GS Compact produces the same Kodak lab-quality prints as full-sized kiosks.
Virgin Megastores Wall Projection Entertains Shoppers
Virgin Megastores, including the West Coast flagship store in Los Angeles, and Downtown Disney, Florida’s largest music and entertainment store, recently introduced digital wall projection systems to project music videos onto large walls, enhancing the shopping experience while reinforcing the Virgin Megastore brand.
“We wanted to project large videos for maximum impact,” said Dee McLaughlin, Sr. Marketing Director, Virgin Entertainment Group. “The wall projection adds to the dynamic Virgin Megastores experience by drawing shoppers in and entertaining them while they shop. The video wall has become part of the brand experience.”
Suunto Rolls Out Interactive Watch Display
Suunto manufactures wrist computers for outdoor enthusiasts. To assist customers in choosing the right watch, Suunto had an interactive display created.
Concept Designs, Palo Alto, CA, created this interactive display, which can be used either on a counter top or on steel pedestals. The touch screen for the display was provided by Morgan Hill, CA-based Digital View and programmed by Flashpoint, Park City, UT.
Concept Designs conceived a metal and acrylic housing that encloses up to 9 sample watches on acrylic watch holders. The acrylic "hood" is hinged at the back to allow easy access. The back of the case permits the insertion of interchangeable graphics. An acrylic brochure holder mounts to the backer.
Retailers appreciate that the interactive touch screen de-mystifies Suunto’s product line.
SAM Kiosk To Help Drivers Diagnose Car Problems
Consumers who worry when their “Check Engine” or other dashboard warning lights appear, can now conveniently check the condition of their car at a SAM Smart Auto Management kiosk.
In less than 10 minutes, for $15, SAM scans a vehicle’s On Board Diagnostic system, and prints a comprehensive report on the spot that identifies any existing or potential problems with the vehicle’s engine, transmission, safety systems, body, chassis, and more.SAM checks over 2,000 fault codes to give drivers the same information an auto mechanic receives.
SAM kiosks are currently located at automotive care and emission testing center locations. Current SAM partner locations include select DEKRA, Jiffy Lube, Kwik Kar and Speedemissions.
DHL Shipping Spot Opens At NBC Experience Store
The new DHL Shipping Spot at the NBC Experience Store in New York City’s Rockefeller Center makes DHL’s shipping services easily accessible to consumers. The DHL Shipping Spot comprises a self service counter and touch screen interface for the customer to pack, weigh, label and ship their DHL package.
“The NBC Experience Store is about providing superior experiences for our customers,” said Judith Dutch, V.P., Retail Operations & Consumer Marketing, NBC Universal. “With the DHL Shipping Spot, shoppers can easily ship their items to more than 220 countries, avoiding the hassle of carrying them for the rest of their stay in New York.”
Added Charles Brewer, Exec. V.P., Sales, DHL, “The NBC Experience Store is another retail partnership that helps DHL become more accessible for shippers looking for convenience and ease.”
Showcraft
ScareCrow Display Attracts Customers
Contech Electronics, Victoria, British Columbia, developer of the ScareCrow® motion-activated animal deterrent for gardeners, has introduced this animated point-of-purchase display, which features a ScareCrow® motion-activated sprinkler, safely encased behind a clear waterproof shield. When a customer walks past, the ScareCrow POP responds with a sudden blast of water.
Mark Grambart, Chief Executive Officer of Contech Electronics, said, “The new ScareCrow P.O.P. display gets an instant response - customers like it because they can try the product in the store, and retailers like it because it demonstrates just how well the ScareCrow works.”
The ScareCrow motion-activated sprinkler protects flowers, vegetables and fish ponds from animal intruders. It automatically detects animals as they approach, and repels them with a startling burst of water.
Social Retailing Launched At Bloomingdale’s
Social Retailing, a new, interactive shopping approach, has debuted at Bloomingdale's 59th Street Flagship store in New York City. Designed by IconNicholson, digital agency, for fashion designer Nanette Lepore, Social Retailing combines social networking and the brick-and-mortar store so customers can connect live with their online friends while they shop.
An interactive mirror transmits high-bandwidth video to friends who comment back via instant message (IM) and who send their own suggestions from an online catalogue.
“Today’s young tech-savvy shopper expects to be connected 24/7 with her friends even while she shops,” said Frank Doroff, Sr. Exec. VP at Bloomingdale's. “Social retailing enhances that ability to connect and will draw new, younger shoppers to our stores.”
Tom Nicholson, CEO IconNicholson, said, “The data collected about customers from this live pilot will help us refine the solution in preparation for a larger rollout.”
Virtual Model Home Tours Debut
Human-scale virtual model home tours are making their debut for the first three Lennar enclaves at Central Park West--Irvine, CA’s first urban master-planned community.
“After selecting the Lennar neighborhood that fits their lifestyle, home shoppers are invited for virtual tours,” said Denise Hayes, V.P., Marketing for Lennar’s Orange Coast Land Division, developer of Central Park West. “Home shoppers actually step into the homes’ interior via human-scale videos that create life-sized virtual homes-showing amazing detail, and all the dimensional changes and floorplan variations people experience as they physically walk through model homes.”
This new technology allows for interactive home viewing from the comfort of a leather recliner in a private screening room.
Spherites, Inc., has introduced an innovative 3D product display called the Monolith. Once placed in the Monolith Box, a product is displayed in three dimensions inside a virtual blue sphere projected from the front of the Monolith Box. The transformation happens in front of the consumers' eyes without the need for 3D glasses. For more information, contact Spherites, Inc., 9595 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212; (Tel) 310-300-8432, (Web) www.spherites.com.
Electronic Displays, Inc. (EDI) produces information displays that get customers’ attention.
EDI offers electronic indoor displays for both indoor and outdoor use, for a wide array of promotional applications. It also offers full color outdoor video displays. For more information, contact Electronic Displays, Inc., 135 S. Church Street, Addison, IL 60101 (Tel) 630-433-3336, (Web Site) www.electronicdisplays.com.
Diazit specializes in Pro-Motion Scrolling Displays and Tri-Motion Point-Of-Purchase Displays in sizes from 12"x18" up to 36" x 50," showing 3 to 25 images depending on the size of the sign. Wall mounts, floor stands, and tabletops are available. The Company also produces Mega-Motion Modular Scrolling Displays and Signage, interior or exterior, in sizes from 4' x 4' and up. For more information, contact Diazit, (Tel) 800-334-6641, 919-556-5188, (Web site) www.diazit.com.
ADDvertisement LLC is a roll down shutter system that protects stores, and also offers an opportunity to advertise. An ADDscreen® consists of security roller shutters, equipped with polycarbonate patented projection panels, one or more projectors and a PC. The ADDscreen® can display text, images and video. The ADDscreen® shutter can be placed inside, outside, in front or behind windows and doors. By using a projector connected to an ADDbox PC with specially developed ADDpoint software, which is connected to the ADDscreen® network, advertising and/or information is displayed on the ADDscreen®. It is also possible to add an in-store flat panel display to show the same content while the store is open. For more information, contact ADDvertisement LLC, 9801 Dupont Avenue South, Dupont Center, Minneapolis, MN 55431; (Tel) 1-888-875-0545 (Web) www.addvertisement.us.
Advanced Kiosks has released its newest multimedia kiosk-the Compact-Power. This kiosk is 2 ľ inches thick with a 17-inch touch screen monitor, stereo speakers, optional WiFi and Credit Card Reader. It comes standard with a 40Gig hard drive and 512 Meg of RAM, and it can be mounted to a wall in minutes. For more information, contact Advanced Kiosks, 39 Mountainview Road, Wilmot, NH 03287, (Tel.) 866-783-3791 (Web) www.advancedkiosks.com.
AVI offers the MediaWindow, an all in one digital signage solution. At the heart of the MediaWindow is AVI's renowned, IP enabled, solid state MPEG 1&2 media player and a crystal clear LCD screen available in various sizes for an unparalleled turnkey digital signage solution. This device can be used individually or networked together and paired with the DAPortal, AVI's web-based comprehensive suite of remote management and monitoring tools for content delivery, device management, inventory, and marketing reports. MediaWindows are also available with bar code scanners, motion sensors, touchscreen, and other accessories. The MediaWindow is available with a networked or stand-alone media player. For more information on the MediaWindow, contact AVI, 8541. E. Anderson Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85260; (Tel) 480-889-3233, (Web) www.avi-electronics.com.
Back to Top
To See previous issues of Creative Interactive Merchandising click here
To See Previous Issues of Online Weekly in Creative's Archives, click here.
To See other Creative Online Newsletters click here
