Epicenter To Create First-Of-Its-Kind Shopping Destination
Epicenter Holdings, plans to create a first-of-its-kind shopping destination that brings together online, catalog and in-store retailing. Epicenter and WalkerGroup, a retail design firm, are working to create a state-of-the-art consumer experience that will open in 2006 at the Polaris Fashion Place in Columbus, Ohio.
At the Epicenter, each Collection will span 150,000 -200,000 sq. ft. of open shopping space and be comprised of branded retail showcases with demonstrations of new products, and fashion shows. Epicenter’s open layout encourages shoppers to move easily from one showcase to another. Throughout the common space, consumers will find an array of personal shopping technology-self-service kiosks and and-held shopping devices. Inside merchant spaces, they will be able to interact with dynamic information displays and media walls.
Jay Valgora, Design Principal of WalkerGroup, said, “By creating constantly changing virtual storefronts, Epicenter will offer all the advantages of Internet shopping, but with a distinctly human, hands-on feel.”
BET Links With Wal-Mart In Ground Breaking Urban Marketing Campaign
BET, a leading brand in Black entertainment, and Wal-Mart are forming a marketing alliance to offer DVDs containing urban-oriented music and movies with BET content and branding in Wal-Mart stores. These DVDs will be packaged with the featured releases and sold as “BET Official” branded two-packs in BET-branded retail sections and other merchandising displays throughout thousands of Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB locations.
“We’re excited to be able to bring our customers some of the most popular music and movie titles in this category and our relationship with BET allows us to offer exclusive releases with award-winning artists,” said David Porter, Wal-Mart V.P., Merchandising.
Land Rover’s 2006 Range Rover Sport Featured In Ralph Lauren Store
Land Rover’s 2006 Range Rover Sport Featured In Ralph Lauren Store
Land Rover is partnering with Ralph Lauren to bring to life a luxurious sporting lifestyle with the 2006 Range Rover Sport on display in the window of the Ralph Lauren Sport store on Madison Avenue in New York City.
“Partnering with Ralph Lauren on this project was ideal for Land Rover,” said Sally Eastwood, V.P., Marketing for Land Rover NA. “Ralph Lauren’'s window provided a unique backdrop to illustrate how our vehicles complement a luxurious lifestyle.”
Ford Division To Recommend BP Fuel On All 2006 Products
Ford Motor Co. and BP Fuel are working collaboratively toward sustainable mobility solutions that will link the two companies in the minds of consumers. 2006 model Ford Division cars, pickups and SUVs in the U.S. will bear gas caps recommending BP to customers as an extension of this relationship. This is the first time in the U.S a major auto manufacturer has recommended an energy company’s fuel.
Nearly 3 million Ford products in the U.S. will feature fuel caps with “Ford recommends BP” and the BP helios logo.
“The relationship between Ford and BP is a great fit for a number of reasons-common customers worldwide, strong retail networks, and complementary technologies,” said Darryl Hazel, Ford Division President. “The fuel cap recommendation allows customers to establish a tangible connection between both companies. We expect to have future promotions between Ford dealerships and BP retail locations that will strengthen that association even further.”
Zoom Deploys Automated Retail Stores In Airports, Hotels, Malls & Grocery Stores
Zoom Systems is implementing networks of 40 sq. ft. robotic stores placed in heavily trafficked locations such as airports, hotels, and malls. Zoom Shops have a touch screen consumer interface and deliver product via a robotic arm. Leading brands can place products like digital music players, headphones, computer accessories and cosmetics directly in the path of consumers generating revenue opportunities where none existed before.
“We have developed the technology to offer consumers the hottest products from $10 to $200,” said Gower Smith, CEO of Zoom Systems. “It’s like shopping online, but consumers have the instant gratification of getting their product immediately.”
Zoom plans to build a network of 3,000 robotic stores over the next 24 months and to grow to 10,000 stores in the next five years.
Musicland & Cingular Innovate Lifestyle Retailing
Musicland Group has formed a strategic alliance with Cingular Wireless to carry Cingular’s Pay-As-You-Go GoPhone pre-paid products in Sam Goody and Media Play stores.
The two companies will focus on designing a “breakthrough” concept in wireless retailing. Musicland and Cingular will focus on the youth segment--a group that many analysts feel offers the greatest growth potential in voice and data services over the next several years.
Eric Weisman, Musicland CEO, said, “Young adults present huge upside when marketing converged devices. The objective is to establish an environment in our stores where the chemistry of relevant entertainment content and highly advanced devices can flourish.”
Offering our products in Musicland’s stores will play a significant role in Cingular's leadership in attracting the youth segment,” said Glenn Lurie, President of National Distribution at Cingular.
Opus Opens New Entertainment Concept
Opus, a new breed of destination for enjoying a musical concert in a more comfortable and affordable setting, has opened its first 16,000-sq. ft. venue at the Palisades Mall in West Nyack, NY. The music themed entertainment and dining facility will allow patrons to enjoy taped and simulcast performances by leading artists in an immersive musical atmosphere, while incorporating the best elements of a high-end movie theater and restaurant. “This concept has gained relevance in recent years, given the high cost of tickets for live shows and the challenge of enjoying them,” said Ken Croney, Opus founder.
Patrons will first enter the Opus Lounge, dedicated to music where visitors can surf the Internet and create custom CDs. The 260-seat Opus Theater offers state-of-the-art technology, anchored by an oversized screen.
Opus plans to open in other major suburban malls across the U.S.
Taubman Shopping Centers To Feature Interactive Holiday Experience
Taubman Shopping Centers plans an interactive promotion surrounding Disney’s upcoming film, “The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Taubman shopping centers will showcase elements of the world depicted in “The Chronicles of Narnia.”
The holiday set will include a walk-through magic wardrobe that simulates snowfall in Narnia; life-like figures that help tell the story from the film; and children will also have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa Claus and receive a special Narnia themed photo snow globe gift from Kodak.
The experience was designed and produced by the Becker Group, Baltimore, MD.
New Canadian Tire Flagship Store Opens
Canadian Tire has opened its 63,000 sq. ft. flagship store in downtown Vancouver, where customers can get everything they need for their home, car and leisure activities. “This flagship store is unlike any other Canadian Tire store and is a great example of how we used an innovative design to offer our customers in the urban market a unique shopping experience,”said Mark Foote, President, Canadian Tire Retail.
The store boasts West Coast-inspired interior features, such as hardwood floors and shelving, an expanded home décor area, a roof top Garden Centre, and West Coast art With 55,000 products under one roof, the store features expanded product assortments in home décor, sports and leisure, footwear and apparel, cleaning products, storage and r-t-a furniture. The store features an Automotive Service Centre for all auto repair needs and a stylized waiting area with leather chairs, plasma TV screens and remote laptop access.
Home Depot Celebrates Hispanic Culture With Colores Origenes Paint
The Home Depot has launched a new Hispanic color paint palette named Colores Origenes, which captures the richness of colors influenced from Latin America. “Research shows that painting is one of the most common home improvement projects undertaken by Hispanic consumers,” said Tom Taylor, Exec. V.P., Marketing, The Home Depot. “It was a natural fit for us to create a color palette to celebrate the richness of Hispanic culture.”
Advertising for the new color palette will be featured in Spanish while signage and promotional materials in The Home Depot stores will be bilingual.
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