Apple Unveils ‘Mini’ Retail Store Design
Apple has opened its new “mini” retail store, designed with stainless steel walls and seamless white floors and ceilings. The mini store is half the size of Apple’s smallest store to date, which will allow it to be placed in a variety of new locations. Apple recently opened its first six mini stores.
“Our mini store is a big experience that fits in a small space,” said Ron Johnson, Apple’s Sr. V.P., Retail. “The mini store will allow us to place stores in a variety of interesting new locations, while retaining innovations like the Genius Bar that have made Apple’s retail stores such a hit.”
Sony Picture Station Targets Digital Photo Consumers
Sony of Canada and TouchPoint Solutions are deploying self-serve kiosks in consumer electronics stores across Canada. The new Sony brand kiosks combine TouchPoint’s QuickPIX and Catapult software with Sony’s photo printing technology into an interactive self-serve device providing a variety of digital photo-related services.
The self-serve kiosks enable users to purchase instant digital prints and CD archives of their personal photographs through a touch-screen interface.
“Sony of Canada has been able to leverage TouchPoint’s expertise in self-service technology to strengthen and evolve our ‘Prints by Sony’ initiative to deliver new photo-related services in new places, the way that consumers want them—and in a way that empowers retailers to provide them profitably,” said Rick Perkins, Product Manager of Sony of Canada Ltd.
The new ‘Prints by Sony’ kiosk service expects to capitalize on the rise in consumer demand for retail digital photo finishing, and reflects the continuing trend by retailers employing customer self-service technologies.
Nintendo Launches New DS Game System
Nintendo recently launched its “Touching Is Good” campaign to spread the word about the touch- and dual-screened Nintendo DS. The new hand-held video game and communications system is backed by the largest launch program ever for a Nintendo product.
The “Touching Is Good” campaign touts the unique features of the dual-screened Nintendo DS, which include a touch-screen, a built-in chat function, wireless communication and voice recognition. Television ads, movie screen ads and print ads in gaming magazines all supported the launch, along with a full range of Internet and broadband efforts.
Point-of-purchase displays reinforce the “Touching Is Good” campaign and showcase the unit’s unique features.
“The campaign for Nintendo DS marks a different, bolder approach for Nintendo,” said George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s Sr. V.P., Marketing. “We think such a radically different and creative device like Nintendo DS deserves the backing of a equally innovative and provocative marketing campaign.”
EB Wireless Game Portals Enable Users To Download Games
Electronics Boutique has introduced Wireless Game Portals, in-store zones where customers can download games, marking the industry’s first wireless distribution platform implemented in a retail stetting.
Mobile phone users can access the Wireless Game Portals by going into a participating EB Games store and using a compatible device to view game titles available for purchase. Users also can receive game-related video as well as reviews and previews of PC and Console games.
The Wireless Game Portals are powered by WideRay’s Jack Service Point, which enables applications to be downloaded at high speed through built-in Bluetooth connections on consumers’ mobile devices.
Saul Kato, Founder and CEO of WideRay, said, “Retail stores are the dominant location for consumer interaction, and our platform solves the challenges of delivering digital goods directly to consumers in stores.”
Lancome Opens First Concept Boutique In The U.S
Lancome has unveiled its first Lancome Concept Boutique in the U.S. at The Mall at Short Hills, NJ, the first in a series of planned boutique openings in the U.S. “The new boutique offers a modern shopping environment in a unique space that reflects the image of Lancome,” said Edgar Huber, President, Luxury Products Division, L’Oreal USA. “Our goal is to continuously surprise and astonish women and offer luxurious products, impeccable service, in-depth skin care and cutting-edge make-up artistry Renee Viola, V.P., Store Design, Lancome said, “The design allows visitors to enter at their own rhythm and follow a journey that allows for the gradual discovery of the different facets of Lancome and its palette of products.”
The boutique has a feeling of a trendy, hotel lobby complete with a lounge area, a bar and a reception area. It is divided into different zones for Fragrance, Skincare and Makeup. The Skincare area offers an intimate setting complete with a curved sofa, where a woman can meet with a Lancome skincare expert. The most recent skincare innovations are available including the Lancome Skin Diagnos Expert, a high-precision skin evaluation tool that gives an analysis and measurement of skin and an in-depth personal skin profile. The Makeup Zone, a wide stainless steel workstation, is a base for professional makeup artists. In the Fragrance zone, a suspended sphere, known as the Discovery Sphere, hangs from the ceiling. Women simply lean into the sphere to discover one of Lancome’s signature scents. Nestled in a private area of the boutique, the spa treatment “cabin” sits under large swathes of tenting which absorb the light to form a comforting cocoon.
The décor features modern touches including grey tinted Plexiglas counters; wall surfaces with a mother-of-pearl sheen; cabinets padded with white high-tech satin-effect fabric; and the signature Rose image placed on furniture and fabrics. The translucent, reflecting materials underline the lively character of the space.
Concordia Kiosks Offer Self-Serve Espresso-To-Go
Concordia Coffee Systems, Bellevue, WA, has signed a contract with Coffee Nation, a provider of self-serve gourmet espresso-to-go, to install its self-serve espresso kiosks. Concordia espresso machines offer a one-stop process for producing high quality, espresso-based beverages such as lattes and cappuccinos.
Concordia’s customized machines for Coffee Nation feature high volume capabilities and technologies including online tracking, payment systems, advanced telemetry to change prices, drink sizes and update software—all run from a centralized control center. Coffee Nation has hundreds of gourmet espresso-to-go self-serve stations utilizing Concordia’s Acorto-brand machines in supermarkets, service stations, theme parks and convenience stores.
SportsDatabases Deploys Sports Information Kiosks
NetBooth Corp has formed a strategic alliance with SportsDatabases to deploy vending machines that print out sports gaming content of interest to sports bettors.
The units will be placed inside casinos, pubs, restaurants and areas of target population to provide the latest news and information, including game matchup reports, league schedules and team charts via a touchscreen terminal. Users insert their credit cards or cash and select an information sheet provided by the system.
By having this automated information system at their fingertips, sports bettors will have a more positive gaming experience. The relationship will allow both SportsDatabases and NetBooth to share equally in the revenues generated.
Mortal Kombat Standee Backs New Game Release
Midway Games has launched Mortal Kombat: Deception for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox game systems. The game is backed by the most extensive marketing campaign in Midway’s history, including television, cinema, print and online advertising, innovative point-of-purchase materials including standees and specialized events.
“Midway, along with millions of MK fans, is excited about the release of Mortal Kombat: Deception,” said Steve Allison, Chief Marketing Officer, Midway. “The Deception team has worked diligently over the past two years to ensure that this MK title will be the best yet. Not only will it be the first ever 3D fighter to be playable online via both the PlayStation 2 and Xbox Live™, but the team has also succeeded in meeting a goal that some thought wasn’t going to be possible they made a fighting game that plays as responsive online as it does offline.
Sterling Promotions
Popeye’s Voyage Displays Create In-Store Awareness
Lion’s Gate Family Home Entertainment, (FHE), New York City, is celebrating Popeye’s 75th anniversary with the first CGI animated adventure ever, “Popeye’s Voyage: The Quest For Pappy.”
In addition to a muscular print and broadcast advertising campaign, the video will be promoted on 18, 24, 30 and 48-count corrugated floor stand displays. Special clip-strip displays will also promote the video.
Cross promotions include featuring the video on cans of Popeye Spinach and Popeye Fresh Spinach.
The video release was also previewed on over 1 million Family DVDs distributed at the Papa Johns Pizza restaurant chain.
Icon Apparel Light Box Highlights Brand
This light box sign was created for Icon Apparel to further enhance the brand and highlight the products.
The light box lights up the graphic to capture attention. The custom shape of this light box is what makes it unique.
The design is lightweight and graphic images are easy to update so the display always looks fresh and current.
The light box was produced for Icon Apparel by the Display Boys, located in Irvine, CA.
Jones Soda Flavored Lip Balm On Display
Jones Soda Co. has announced a licensing agreement with Lime Lite Marketing, which includes the creation of Jones Soda flavored lip balm.
“We approached Jones Soda because they are known for their great flavors and loyal consumer following with active young adults,” said Tym Gilson, Sr. Brand Manager, Lime Lite Marketing. “Just like our soda, the lip balm packaging features pictures taken and submitted by our consumers,” added Peter van Stolk, CEO of Jones Soda Co.
The Jones Soda flavored lip balm will be displayed in convenience and grocery locations across the nation.
New BI-LO Store Debuts Wine Insite Kiosk
BI-LO stores and Wine Insite of Atlanta, Georgia, have launched the Wine Insite kiosk, offering wine recommendation technology.
The touch screen kiosk contains information about each wine in the store including price, grape, origin, style and food/cheese pairing. Customers enter their criteria by touching the appropriate buttons like “Cabernet Sauvignon,” “Australia,” and “$10-$15.” The kiosk will present the results from a search of the store’s inventory. The next screen displays wine tasting notes, rating/review, a picture of the bottle and food pairing ideas, all of which can be printed.
The partners for the Wine Insite program include Agilysys and IBM, which supplied the kiosks and The Moyer Group, which provided the software.
ExxonMobil Installs Bengal Traders Coffee Bars
ExxonMobil has rolled out its Bengal Traders coffee program at On The Run and Tiger Market convenience stores.
“We are serious about offering our customers great coffee at a reasonable price, but without all the fuss of a coffee shop,” said Mark Shores, U.S. Retail Sales Director, ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing.“
Each convenience store will have a team of trained individuals known as the “Bengal Traders Brew Crew,” who will brew the coffee and assure the newly-designed Bengal Traders coffee bar is clean and well stocked with a wide selection of regular and flavored creamers, sugar and sweeteners.
Telus Mobility Store Incorporates Fashion Element
The new TELUS Mobility corporate flagship store, which has opened in Toronto, Canada, reflects the Company’s dedication to customer service and the evolution of mobile technology as a lifestyle accessory.
Toronto-based retail design firm burdifilek responded to the fashion element in today’s wireless technology by designing the ‘handset runway,’ a feature fixture displaying all the handsets available on a single illuminated platform. The technical information is streamlined at ‘phone pods’ around the perimeter of the store. Online stations are front and center with telephones, flat screen monitors and internet access to activate wireless services.
The Company’s branding campaign was the inspiration for the colour palette that exists throughout the space.
palmOne Opens First Treo Smartphone Retail Store
palmOne recently opened its first Treo Store in San Jose, CA.
The Treo store will serve as a one-stop shop for education, awareness and sales of the Treo family of smartphones, along with the full line of Treo accessories and software. palmOne’s Treo 600 and 650 smartphones seamlessly combine a mobile phone, email, organizer, web browser and messaging.
“The Treo Store offers an attractive and comfortable environment where potential customers can interact with and buy Treo smartphones and a wide range of software and accessories,” said John Hartnett, V.P., eCommerce and Accessory Solutions. “As in the award-winning palmOne Retail Stores, the Treo Store offers a high quality brand experience and is staffed by expert consultants who educate customers about palmOne solutions.”
Kendall-Jackson Debuts Tasting Table Display
Kendall-Jackson wanted to provide its retailers with a high-end, furniture-quality tasting table that would compliment Kendall-Jackson’s luxury brands.
This display showcases the product while attracting the attention of shoppers in-store. Due to its high quality look, the Tasting Table has been well received and has aided in increased brand recognition, visibility and sales.
The Kendall-Jackson Tasting Table was designed and manufactured by Ruszel Woodworks, a point-of-purchase display firm located in Benicia, CA.
Old Forester Goes Hunting With Off-Premise Promo.
Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky is urging consumers to put on their orange vests and head out to the field through its off-premise hunting promotion.
Brown-Forman, Louisville, KY, is offering retailers unique case cards and posters, which display the profile of hunters waiting patiently for their game. The colorful display header also features the Old Forester bottle and the tagline, “America’s First Bottled Bourbon.”
Consumers can also enter to win an Old Forester buddy bucket for those hunting excursions.
HomeTeam Kiosks Launching In Home Centers
HomeTownHomeTeam, an online service connecting qualified home service professionals and manufacturers with buyers of home improvement products, is delivering multiple benefits to retailers, consumers as well as the advertisers that are supporting the initiative. In-store kiosks carrying promotional messages from advertisers, including national real estate and home improvement companies, reach consumers at home improvement retailers throughout the U.S.
“Consumers are enjoying unprecedented access to pre-screened home improvement services in-store, while advertisers are taking advantage of a new venue to reach buyers and retailers are getting the sales,” said Joseph Truscelli, CEO of HomeTown HomeTeam.
Kiosk Improves Buying Experience At OfficeMax Stores
OfficeMax recently deployed the Active Advisor Kiosk Station, provided by Active Decisions, San Mateo, CA, to improve its customers’ buying experience and the product knowledge of its sales associates.
Active Advisor Kiosks are available for shoppers to use in a “self-service” mode and in a “shoulder-to-shoulder” mode with sales associates.
Ryan Vero, Exec. V.P., Merchandising for OfficeMax, said, “Equipping our sales associates with the knowledge to find exactly the right product delivers a positive experience for the customer. The Active Advisor technology increases the productivity of our sales associates.”
Showtime & F.Y.E. Promote “THE L WORD” DVD
Showtime and F.Y.E. will give fans of the series, “THE L WORD” an opportunity to live it up with the newly released DVD of the complete first season and a chance to win a trip for two to Los Angeles. Grand prize winners of the “LIVE THE L WORD LIFE” sweepstakes will stay at the W Hotel, which will be featured in the show’s second season, premiering on Showtime in February.
F.Y.E. stores will promote the DVD, the sweepstakes and the 2nd season launch of the series with promotional materials including counter and tower signage and spots on the F.Y.E. Listening and Viewing Stations.
“F.Y.E. strives continuously to bring innovative promotions to our customers,” said Fred Fox, E.V.P. Marketing, Trans World Entertainment.
Gift Basket Center Displayed At Blockbuster
Blockbuster recently invited shoppers to visit its new Create Your Own Gift Basket Center in Blockbuster stores.
Blockbuster provided all the elements for a personalized, holiday-themed gift basket: popcorn tubs, three choices of holiday-themed wraps, decorative filler and holiday-themed Gift Cards.
Shoppers could add movies, games, magazines, confections and other items from throughout Blockbuster stores, as well as items they purchase elsewhere, to this special packaging.
“Blockbuster was the first retailer to offer the convenience of gift cards, and we’re the leader in developing better, more creative ways for people to shop for the gift of entertainment,” said Lisa Zoellner, Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Category Manager for Blockbuster.
Lumene Fixture Highlights New Cosmetic Line
CVS, the exclusive U.S. retailer for Lumene, a new line of prestige cosmetic and skincare products at discount prices, wished to expand the line and needed a display that projected a credible beauty brand image.
The Lumene fixture utilizes lighting to draw attention to the brand and reinforce the brand name. Lighting offers several benefits: it underscores the brand name, draws attention to the unit, communicates upscale beauty and is easy to shop.
The unit was designed to CVS' space specifications and can be expanded in 4' increments. Updating is simple for store personnel who only need to change chips, graphics and/or trays. The skin care section offers total flexibility for planogram changes.
The Lumene fixture was created for CVS by Diam International, a Woodside, NY-based p.o.p. display firm.
‘About Face’ Hanging Mobile Captures Attention
Herbinger’s recently asked Merchandising Inventives, located in Waukegan, IL, to develop a cost effective solution that would capture attention, highlighted several lines of cosmetics and utilize overhead ceiling display space.
M.I. Creative Services worked with the client to develop the concept, copy and look of each panel. Once the artwork was prepared and the panels were printed, the versatile Mini-Mobile Kit was distributed to the retailers.
This was a very successful, easy to use program that went from concept right through to delivery.
Best Buy Introduces Online Photo Pick Up
Best Buy has launched its imageLab website, an online photo processing center that makes it easy for people to get high quality prints of their digital pictures. Best Buy’s new offering helps customers complete the picture-taking experience by allowing them to upload photos online, order prints online and pick up their prints at the nearest Best Buy store with no delivery charge.
“People love taking pictures with their digital cameras knowing that they won’t necessarily have to develop each photo. Yet, we know that many people are asking themselves, ‘What’s the easiest way to get my pictures out of the camera?’” said Mike Mohan, V.P., digital imaging at Best Buy. “Best Buy imageLab offers a convenient option that addresses the customer need.”
Tweeter Unveils New Store Concept
Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, a consumer electronics retailer, is debuting a new concept store in Las Vegas.
“We are moving from our current model of product retailing, and evolving into a service company that offers a new array of solutions and services,” said Jeffrey Stone, CEO. “Together with new industry partners like Microsoft and HP complementing our existing suppliers, Tweeter is creating an innovative way for consumers to shop.”
Using an “experience map,” customers will be able to navigate through display and demonstration areas. A team of “Entertainment Architects” will collaborate with customers to develop personalized entertainment solutions in an in-store design studio. Customers can walk through a series of rooms and switch seamlessly between movies, TV, music and photography. There is a special in-store area for mobile multimedia as well as rooms for home theater demonstrations.
The Tweeter prototype store was designed by Cincinnati, OH-based FRCH Design Worldwide.
Friends 2B Made Stores Are Launched
Friends 2B Made, the newest retail concept from Build-A-Bear Workshop, has opened stores in Pittsburgh, PA and Columbus, OH. The new Friends 2B Made stores are the first to open with completely unique Friends 2B Made products, décor, and experience.
Friends 2B Made gives girls the opportunity to make their own fun, fashionable friend through an exciting doll-making process, while creating an emotional bond with their new doll throughout the entire experience. As girls stuff their dolls, participate in the heart ceremony, pick out their new friend’s personality traits, fashionable clothes and accessories and create a friendship certificate, they will experience the same level of personalized entertainment they are accustomed to having at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores.
Gander Mountain Debuts New Footwear Displays
Gander Mountain, a leading specialty retailer that serves the needs of outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts, has redesigned the new footwear area in its retail stores.
The new merchandising program, designed by display company nParallel, organizes footwear merchandise by category (men, women and youth), function (work, casual, hiking and hunting) and brand.
“Consumers can enter the shopping experience through the power wall, organized by category and then function; through the display tables, arranged by function and brand; or through bulk stacks that present items of immediate seasonal appeal,” said Bill Kasica, nParallel’s Director, Brand Programs. “All components are mobile, on casters or palettes, so they can easily and quickly be reconfigured to adapt to seasonal merchandise or changing requirements of individual stores.”
Pizza Inn Debuts Prototype Express Concept
Pizza Inn has unveiled its redesigned Pizza Inn Express concept, which features a simplified menu and an open design that allows customers to better view menu items.
The lower investment requirements for the new Express concept make it ideal for convenience stores. Pizza Inn currently has more than 70 express locations and the new concept, designed by Dallas-based GHA Architects, significantly repositions Pizza Inn Express.
“Our goal was to create a totally new image for Pizza Inn Express that sets it apart from competitors,” said Sumrall. “We accomplished this by creating an exciting and energetic concept that also sells great-tasting pizza.”
Wienerschnitzel Promotes Love Of Chili Dogs
Wienerschnitzel has launched a new campaign called “The Chili Dog Diet,” a spoof of popular diet crazes. A multi-dimensional roll-out in both English and Spanish, the campaign includes national TV and radio spots, print advertising and in-store promotions.
With tag lines like “A diet you just can’t lose on” and “A new diet for people who don’t,” the Chili Dog Diet campaign is an obvious poke at the current diet craze and features “real” people happily confessing their Chili Dog Diet stories.
“We wanted to create some buzz with this campaign, make people laugh and celebrate an American icon, the hot dog,” said Tom Amberger, Director of Marketing for Wienerschnitzel.
The campaign was produced by DGWB Advertising and Communications, Santa Ana, California.
Advance Auto Parts Kiosk Targets ‘Do-It-Yourselfers’
Advance Auto Parts has launched “We’re Ready With Answers,” a consumer education program that demonstrates to vehicle owners that becoming a “do-it-yourselfer” can save them lots of money.
The Company is displaying a series of 128 “do-it-yourself” brochures that offer the “whys” and “how to” of car maintenance on kiosks in Advance’s 2,500 stores across the country. The brochures cover everything from how to change a distributor cap to cleaning leather seats. The goal of the program is to position Advance Auto Parts as the place consumers can come to learn, and know that someone will walk them through the process of car maintenance and repair.
Twister Pro Display Encourages Impulse Buying
With the introduction of the Twister Pro, Ideal Industries has reinvented the electrical connector, bringing comfort-enhancing SureGrip overmolding to the Company’s popular design, to assure the best grip ever.
Now Ideal is offering its Twister Pro connectors in a unique twist-off/twist-on, transparent container that delivers only as many connectors as the electrician needs. Designed to look like an oversize bolt, this innovative packaging keeps connectors where they belong. Twister Pro connectors are merchandised on a new point-of-purchase display that represents a complete call-to-action on the sales floor. The display features durable steel and plastic construction, along with powerful, hard-selling graphics.
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