HMSHost And Airport Wireless Launch Techshowcase
HMSHost and airport technology retailer, Airport Wireless, have opened the first Techshowcase at Oakland International Airport. Techshowcase features mobile consumer electronic devices from the world’s leading manufacturers.
Techshowcase incorporates multiple leading brand technology manufacturers into one easy-to-shop store. Each store is designed to convey the atmosphere of a “please touch” science museum, with live technology demonstration units mounted on interactive display fixtures.
“Business travelers are able to put their dwell time to productive use by shopping for high-quality mobile electronic products and accessories to keep them connected while on the road,” said Ilene Berman, Co-CEO, Airport Wireless. “Techshowcase also accommodates the needs of non-business travelers seeking mobile phone accessories, a high-quality entertainment device, headphones, batteries, gifts, and more.
Each manufacturer’s interactive display unit and product occupies a branded and distinct “mini-store” inside the Techshowcase store. Interactive exhibits are frequently replaced or refreshed with the latest merchandise so that travelers may enjoy a new experience upon each visit. Because Techshowcase provides electronics manufacturers direct access to their target demographic, many new products will be launched at Techshowcase locations before other venues.
GameStop Opens Premier Store And Tournament Center
GameStop Corp., the world’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer, has opened its first combination store and tournament center. Larger than a standard GameStop location, this 4,000 sq. ft. store is located in the heart of the gaming industry in San Jose, CA.
This location is a first of its kind venue for GameStop and the first in a series of tournament focused stores. The center features 24 networked gaming stations with plasma monitors and tournament events will occur most weekends with GameStop system-wide tournament finals occurring at least once a quarter.
“This world class facility takes GameStop stores and video game tournament opportunities to the next level,” said Dan DeMatteo, Vice Chairman and COO of GameStop Corp. “With these continued efforts, we are offering customers another way to get the most out of their gaming and are truly giving power to the players.”
AT&T & Starbucks Customers To Get Free Wi-Fi Access
This Spring Starbucks has plans to deliver AT&T Wi-Fi service at more than 7,000 company-operated Starbucks locations across the U.S. The initiative brings together two of the most recognizable global brands to create a powerful and convenient online experience for consumers and business customers. Starbucks and AT&T will offer a mix of free and paid Wi-Fi offerings at Starbucks stores to meet the needs of both frequent and occasional Starbucks Wi-Fi customers. Starbucks Card holders will be able to enjoy up to two hours of free Wi-Fi service per day at Starbucks locations offering Wi-Fi access, while more than 12 million qualifying AT&T broadband and AT&T U-verse Internet customers will have unlimited free access to the Wi-Fi service. In addition, more than 5 million of AT&T's remote access services business customers will be able to access Wi-Fi service at Starbucks locations.
“People want to stay connected to their world 24/7, and Wi-Fi hotspots, broadband and wireless make that mobility possible,” said RickWelday, AT&T Chief Marketing Oofficer, Consumer. “Laptops and smart phones give us the online mobility we crave, and now millions of AT&T and Starbucks customers will get Internet access free from their neighborhood Starbucks.”
“This is what our customers have been waiting for-free Starbucks-quality Wi-Fi,” said Chris Bruzzo, Chief Technology Officer, Starbucks. “Through our partnership with AT&T, we welcome their millions of customers who can now enjoy free Wi-Fi as part of their daily Starbucks Experience.”
“Our relationship with AT&T gives us the opportunity to enhance digital entertainment experiences for our customers,” said Ken Lombard, President, Starbucks Entertainment.
Pet Supermarket Opens Its Largest Store In Miramar, FL
Pet Supermarket, the nation’s largest independently owned pet specialty store, has opened its largest store in Miramar, FL. This new store is over 11,000 sq. ft., with tall 24' high ceilings.
The entire store has custom flooring that looks like wood, grass, water or rocks, depending on the department the customer is in. The reptile department has a huge mural on the wall giving the impression of being in a desert. The fish department has mermaids that appear to be floating above the fish in a sea of water. The dog food department has an area dedicated to natural foods with old-fashioned barrels holding product. And the store is surrounded by giant light boxes that bring the store alive with images of people and their pets.
Diane Holtz, Pet Supermarket’s President and COO, said, “We’ve been able to transform some ideas we've had over the years into reality, to make a completely unique shopping experience for our customers.”
GEICO Partners With AZA To Promote Zoo and Aquarium Wildlife Conservation
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and GEICO have formed a strategic partnership to promote zoo and aquarium wildlife conservation. GEICO Chairman, Tony Nicely said, “Our Gecko has proven to be a powerful spokescreature for our auto and motorcycle insurance products. Now he's taking on an additional assignment to help promote the wildlife conservation work done by zoos and aquariums across America”.
The three-year partnership will feature a traveling Gecko exhibit to appear at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums in the U.S.
Espresso Americano Launches EA Brevita Drive-Thru Concept
Espresso Americano International has launched EA Brevita, a specialty beverage drive-thru concept. The concept has been developed to help entrepreneurs enter the specialty beverage retailing business.
EA Brevita offers this beverage drive-thru unit for $89,000, delivered anywhere in the lower 48 states on a flatbed truck Co-Owner Jeff Ericson, said, “By giving the little guy and newcomers to specialty beverages access to big business-level training and operations support, and providing them with a less expensive business model with co-op-negotiated pricing, we’re leveling the playing field.”
Domino’s Launches Pizza Tracker
Domino’s Pizza has launched the Pizza Tracker(TM). This revolutionary technology allows Domino's Pizza customers to follow the progress of their order online from the time they click the “Place Order” button or hang up the telephone until the Domino’s delivery expert is knocking on their door.
Chris McGlothlin, Domino’s Chief Information Officer, Chris McGlothlin, said, “At Domino’s, we’re obsessed with great service. Now we can prove it every step of the way. Pizza Tracker will allow customers to know when their order is being prepared, when it’s out of the oven, and when it’s out the door and on its way.” “Customers using Pizza Tracker will no longer have to wonder where their pizza is in the ordering process -- it takes the ‘mystery’ out of waiting for their pizza. Not only that, it’s entertaining, too.”
Paradies Shops Brings New Retail Concept To Pensacola
Atlanta-based The Paradies Shops is introducing a new retail concept at Pensacola Regional Airport that combine universally recognized brands with local favorites.
Displaying the brightly-colored peacock logo above the storefront, CNBC Pensacola presents an innovative award-winning design alternative to traditional newsstands, airing the CNBC business day programming in the stores and offering an expansive range of newsstand items. Travelers will also enjoy an online station, providing the opportunity to check stocks and obtain real-time financial information. CNBC Pensacola also features two exclusive Paradies programs: Press Express and Read & Return.
Best Buy Launches Business Customer Loyalty Program
With business customers making up as much as 10% of its store traffic, Best Buy plans to help the “invisible business customer” shopping its stores. Best Buy will identify newly-added, business-grade products with the label “Professional Series,” denoting a product designed with features tailored to business use. The labels will appear on products as well as in-store signage. Best Buy for Business also will train store employees to help business customers.
“Business customers had been walking in and out of our stores for years without receiving specialized attention,” said David Hemler, President, Best Buy for Business. “We are taking steps to identify business customers, help direct them to the products and solutions they need for their businesses, and reward them through our loyalty program.”
Largest Asian Shopping Center In Southwest To Open In Las Vegas
DFG Dev. Corp. and McMahon Dev. Group have begun construction of a 180,000 sq. ft. Asian shopping center in Las Vegas called Asia Town Center. Asia Town Center will be the largest Asian shopping center in the Southwest and will allow shoppers of all ethnicities to obtain low pricing and a large selection of goods.
Asia Town Center has secured HMart for its anchor grocer. HMart will encompass 50,000 sq. ft. and offer a wide variety of high-quality meats, produce, household wares and hot food stations. "Las Vegas has never experienced such a large, modern Asian grocery store. It’s like an Asian version of Whole Foods, except with Costco prices,” said Adam Hathcock, CEO of DFG Dev. Corp.
Stan Saito, President of the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce, said, “We've seen a real need for a major shopping center in the Southwest dedicated to Asian American shoppers.”
Nation’s First Feng Shui Inspired McDonald's Restaurant Opens
A Hacienda Heights McDonald’s restaurant has unveiled a Feng Shui-inspired design that blends classic architecture with modern Feng Shui aspects including water elements, earth tones, red accents and exotic fauna.
The restaurant combines elements of water located on the exterior of the dining area, symbolizing life and relaxation, with elements of fire and red accents throughout the dining area to symbolize good luck. The dining area also features symmetrically balanced seating arrangements in earth tone shades. The design was created using the expertise of Feng Shui Grand Master, Dr. Chi-Jean Liu and noted Long Beach design firm, JBI Industries, Inc.
“We chose a Feng Shui design that creates a soothing environment for our customers,” said Mark Brownstein, McDonald’s owner/operator.
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