hip-e Hangout Stations In Malls Offer Teens The Chance To Experience hip-e Firsthand
Digital Lifestyles Group has formed a marketing alliance with Simon Brand Ventures to launch mall advertising and display stations featuring hip-e, the first lifestyle computer designed for teens, in Simon malls across the country.
“During our initial research we asked teens where they would like to learn more about hip-e and they responded, ‘the mall’,” said Annie Bacon, V.P. Marketing, Digital Lifestyles Group. “We are going where teens want to go and providing them the chance to grow familiar with all hip-e has to offer.”
At the hip-e hangouts, teens will be able to view and interact with the hip-e node, its hip-e hangout interactive desktop, and hip-e accessories such as the hip-e MP3 personal media carrier and hip-e mobile phone.
Gloria Jean’s Debuts Expanded Service
A new Gloria Jean’s prototype debuted in The Shops at Mission Viejo, Ca. New design elements invite customers to enjoy their favorite beverage in a relaxing environment. Warm colors, unique lighting, contemporary music and comfortable seating add to the enjoyable coffeehouse experience.
The store features a broad selection of whole-bean coffees and teas. To further enhance the customer experience, Gloria Jean’s is offering table service for customers who wish to enjoy their selections in the store. All Gloria Jean’s beverage choices may be complemented with an expanded line of fresh bakery products.
Gloria Jean’s is the largest mall-based specialty coffee retailer with over 476 stores.
U.S. Malls Undergoing Transformation As Developers Reject Past Formulas
“Is America All Malled Out?” was the topic of a recent panel discussion sponsored by architecture/urban planning firm RTKL. Stores need to do a better job of creating “a sense of place” through exciting interiors and exteriors and by making customers feel at home in the environment, the panelists noted.
To infuse the traditional mall with emotion, more mixed-use developments are cropping up, which combine shopping and residential housing, movie theaters and hotels. The panelists noted a return to Main Street villages and retail clustering—a format where like-minded products are clustered together, either in an urban center or a retail environment.
RTKL noted some major innovations: From Neighborhood to National—Many ethnic neighborhoods are spawning home-grown businesses which are on their way to becoming national concepts. Male Malls—Retailers are beginning to pay more attention to the male consumers. With the market for female shopping outlets approaching saturation, expect to see a growing percentage of retail concepts, store designs and in-store promotions to focus on attracting male shoppers. Re-Sizing Big Box Stores—As big box stores move into urban markets, they are changing their formulas to be smaller and more “Main Street accessible.”
Intel & Microsoft Feature ‘Experience Zones’
Intel and Microsoft Corp. are delivering the first joint consumer campaign to showcase an emerging digital lifestyle. “Experience zones” will provide consumers with a hands-on opportunity to try Intel and Microsoft digital entertainment technology in unique “digital home” settings.
The “Experience Zones will be placed in high traffic malls in 38 U.S. locations. The zones will bring to life a living room where consumers can view movie clips, listen to their favorite songs and record, and rewind TV using a PC and remote control.
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