The NASCAR Shop Debuts At Charlotte Airport
HMSHost and NASCAR have opened The NASCAR Shop in the atrium of Charlotte Douglas International Airport's Main Terminal, marking the first retail collaboration between HMSHost and NASCAR.
“NASCAR’s sports history began in Charlotte and it is only fitting that Charlotte Douglas International Airport be the first airport to open The NASCAR Shop for our travelers,” said Jerry Orr, Aviation Director, Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
With its brightly colored signage and graphics, the 700 square foot Charlotte Douglas NASCAR store is instantly recognizable to fans. Travelers will find the store features the highest quality and most popular NASCAR licensed merchandise, including special displays of NASCAR's 60th Anniversary items. The NASCAR Shop will offer apparel, collectibles and accessories for men, women and children. A wide selection of gifts and souvenirs will add to the energy and excitement of visiting The NASCAR Shop.
“This partnership with HMSHost will provide the fans traveling through Charlotte an opportunity to bring the excitement of NASCAR home,” said Blake Davidson, Managing Director, Licensed Products, NASCAR. "This store is an important component to our overall retail strategy and
there is no better place to open this first store than right in the heart of NASCAR industry and home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame."
Wyman’s Liquors Using Denon Digital Signage System
Wyman’s Liquors, a well-known brand in Massachusetts for over 80 years, called upon the Denon Professional DN-V755 Digital Audio/Video Player to achieve the chain’s goal of bringing in digital signage that would cost-effectively increase awareness of its offerings. The Denon DN-V755 has the ability to store and playback a variety of file formats from its built-in hard drive.
“The Denon DN-V755 has brought about a significantly enhanced shopping experience,” said Jacques Marchetti, President of Marchetti Engineering, the Boston-area company which developed a proprietary remote control interface (SW-755) that allows customers to navigate the content stored on the DN-V755s hard drive.
Wymans goal was to draw customers’ attention to weekly specials in an engaging manner, and to do so cost-effectively, with low maintenance requirements and the ability for each store to manage its own digital content.
KFC Selects Wireless Ronin's Digital Signage
KFC Corp. has selected Wireless Ronin Technologies, a Minneapolis-based digital signage provider ,www.wirelessronin.com), for the market test phase of its dynamic digital signage menu board program.
Jeffrey Mack, CEO of Wireless Ronin, said, “The quick-serve restaurant industry is an ideal venue for our technology, offering the ability for timely changes of information not currently available with static alternatives."
James O'Reilly, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC, said, “Not only will digital menu boards create a new standard for in-store communication and experience for our customers, we hope it will provide a cost effective way to communicate targeted menus by daypart and allow us to quickly make product and pricing changes.”
Wal-Mart To Be Hannah Montana Retail Headquarters
Wal-Mart Stores, together with Disney Consumer Products, will bring families affordable access to Hannah Montana merchandise and activities in 2008. Hannah Montana fans can browse Wal-Mart’s “Hannah Montana Shops” in Wal-Mart stores across the U.S. Wal-Mart will offer unique assortments of Hannah Montana-inspired products, including apparel and footwear, handbags and cosmetics, bedding, room decor, games, music and more. The new line will appeal to tweens looking for casual and athletic-inspired styles as well as accessories and decor.
“Parents and kids can depend on us for the best selection of Hannah Montana merchandise at the Wal-Mart price,” said Janet Bareis, Wal-Mart, Marketing Vice President.
“Fans will now have more access to Hannah Montana-inspired product,” said Kathy Franklin, V.P., Global Franchise Development for Disney Consumer Products.
Virgin Megastores’ Digital Banner Promotes ‘Heroes’
Virgin Megastores recently began promoting the recent release of NBC’s “Heroes” first season with a hanging digital banner created by Epson to resemble the DVD box.
The Epson digital marketing solution includes an Epson projector, a custom acrylic screen, a digital content management and distribution system, and content provided by NBC. The system allows for dynamic content change and can accommodate a variety of screen sizes and shapes. The rectangle-shaped digital banner is 5’ long and hangs over the DVD section in the center of the store. The digital banner promotes the “Heroes” DVD by projecting content from various episodes during the first season.
HP Launches New HP Photo Center
HP has unveiled new retail photo printing solutions that provide consumers the tools to personalize their photos and publish customized creative output.
David Murphy, Sr. V.P. at HP, said, “In combining our printing franchise with a world-class set of software and web assets, HP is creating a multibillion-dollar business poised to lead the transformation to a comprehensive digital supply chain, from content creation and management to publishing and consumption.”
The difference between the number of images captured and those that are actually printed is vast and growing. To bridge this gap, HP is empowering consumers with the tools to personalize their photos and publish customized creative content. In the retail environment, the company is transforming retailers’ traditional photo labs into digital publishing centers that move beyond prints to digital media, such as photo books, posters and calendars.
The new HP Photo Center features a new consumer order station with a 17" screen with screen-assisted navigation to make publishing creative content easier.
Kodak Launches New Photo Kiosk Solution
Kodak's new Picture Kiosk G4X enables retailers to better leverage innovative new offerings from Kodak through a faster, powerful integrated combination of dual core processor and additional RAM & hard disk memory.
This high-performance kiosk will reduce wait time and increase consumer satisfaction with its rapid image loading and overall speed from start-to-finish. With the KODAK Picture Kiosk G4X and accessory DVD burner, consumers can create a Picture Movie DVD in as little as 5 minutes - making it the industry's only true instant solution that brings life to digital images easily and with original artist music.
"Consumers are looking for more ways to enjoy their stories,” said Brad Kruchten, General Manager of Kodak’s Retail Printing Group.
Sumseeds Caffeinated Sunflower Seeds Displayed
Dakota Vally Products’ Sumseeds, the leading caffeinated and energized sunflower seed snack, has introduced three new flavors - Dill Pickle, Honey BBQ and Salt and Pepper.
Sumseeds are infused with the energy components of caffeine, lysine, taurine and ginseng; the same ingredients found in energy sodas.
The new flavors of Sumseeds are available in a new 1.75oz personal size bag.
The new line is being promoted with this special standee display featuring baseball Hall of Famer, Tony Gwynn holding a bag of Sumseeds.
Sterling Promotions
CBS Launches Survivor Sunflower Seeds
CBS Consumer Products is expanding the “Survivor” brand.
Full Charge Energy Foods, Inc., based in North Dakota, is launching “Survivor Supercharged Sunflower Seeds.” The energy-enhanced, vitamin infused snacks will feature “Survivor’s” iconic imagery on its packaging and displays. A one bag serving equals the energy boost of some energy drinks and contains 100% of the daily recommended amount of B and C vitamins.
Liz Kalodner, Executive Vice President and General Manager of CBS Consumer Products, said, “The ‘Survivor’ Series has become synonymous with mental and physical challenges, and the health and fitness categories are a perfect venue to expand the ‘Survivor’ experience.”
DHL & Walgreens Partner To Provide Convenient Shipping
DHL has announced an agreement with Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain, which will more than double the number of retail outlets offering DHL Express shipping services nationally. Walgreens will expand to more than 6,500 locations by the end of 2008.
The DHL Shipping Spot will be staffed by Walgreens associates at Walgreens photo counters.
“DHL’s success partnering with a retailer to offer in-store shipping services has proven that American businesses and consumers want the convenience of shipping where they shop,” said Hans Hickler, CEO of DHL Express (USA).
George Riedl, Walgreens V.P., Marketing, said, “This will be another powerful addition to our overall strategy of making life easier for customers.”
U.S. Post Office & Lucasfilm Feature Starwars Display
The United States Postal Service recently teamed up with Lucasfilm Ltd. to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars, with special Star Wars® stamps.
This display, placed in post offices around the nation features full size Star Wars Licensed characters. The twinkling LEDs in the eyes of C3PO and on R2D2 are attention-grabbers.
The Standee drew customers to the display to pick up a sweepstakes entry form, to win a Trip to Star Wars Celebration IV in Los Angeles.
This display was created for the U.S. Postal Service by Innomark Communications, a Fairfield, OH-based p.o.p. display firm.
Diva Latina Sidekick Displays At Wal-Mart Stores
Parfums de Coeur recently used this Diva Latina Sidekick Display to launch Diva Latina Body Sprays, a line extension of its Body Fantasies Body Sprays at Wal-Mart stores.
This sidekick is exceptionally strong to handle the significant weight of the 8-ounce bottles. The display is manufactured from a combination of direct print flexo and litho-lam corrugated components. The litho model shot is a wrap-around piece that makes the model appear to be standing on the second shelf.·The weight-bearing components were made from a single sheet of B-flute corrugated board.
The display’s high graphic impact delivers brand identity, while targeting a growing market segment.
This display was created for Parfums de Coeur by Menasha Display Group, (www.menashadisplay.com), Neenah, WI and Philadelphia, PA.
Too Faced Cosmetics Featuring In-Store Tester Unit
The objective for this display was to create a counter tester unit that immediately provided an environment for customers which conveyed the message of the brand.
Too Faced wanted to combine the look of a makeup vanity table with the hip, retro look that encompasses the line. The display features a black acrylic tester unit base with riser that includes a silk screened mirror and three pockets for updateable graphics. The segmented three parts: face, lips and eyes, makes the display user friendly and the black acrylic allows the products to pop. The display created a fun, glamorous, yet sophisticated environment for consumers to shop.
This Too Faced Cosmetics Tester Unit was created by Preferred Display, a Clifton, NJ-based p.o.p. display firm.
Mardi Gras Wines Celebrate Mardi Gras All Year-Long
Mardi Gras Wine will touch thousands who have a heartfelt feeling for the people of New Orleans.
“We have captured the spirit of Mardi Gras in every bottle of our California Chardonnay and Merlot wine,” said Diane Svehlak, President of Access Beverage, Irvine, CA, (www.accessbeverage.com.)
A portion of the proceeds from every bottle of Mardi Gras Wine goes towards rebuilding homes and businesses in the Gulf Coast through selected aid organizations.
Visuals promoting the new line feature, “Dancing at the Mardi Gras,” by Ulrike Martin. The Mardi Gras Wine labels illustrate the Mardi Gras High Priestess with the aid of her magic beads blowing the hurricanes away from the Gulf Coast.
Primo Amore Wines Launch
Casa Vinicola Zonin S.p.A., Italy’s largest privately held wine company, has launched Primo Amore, a new line of affordable, high-quality Italian wines in the U.S.
Francesco Zonin, V.P. Zonin S.p.A, said, “wine is all about love, and a famous quote from Shakespeare, (“a rose by any other name...”) further emphasizes that these are wines to fall in love with.”
Primo Amore wines are made near Verona, Italy, home of the real-life couple who inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
In keeping with the romantic theme, two of the wines are named for that famous pair of “star-crossed” lovers; Primo Amore Romeo (red) and Primo Amore Juliet (white).
Easy to read labels, colorful packaging and affordable pricing make Primo Amore perfect for those who are just getting to know wine or who are discouraged by complicated or pretentious labels.
Victoria’s Secret Displays Very Sexy Cosmetics
Victoria’s Secret wanted to develop a flexible modular display system for its Very Sexy Cosmetics that would provide open sell inventory and backstock organization while encouraging consumer product testing.
This display system was created with laser cutting, injection molding, vacuum forms and CNC routing work. There are·laser cut replaceable acrylic templates for product feature and testing. The injection molded product and stock-keeping drawer system features flexible dividers. The vacuum formed feature components highlight promotional product presentations.
This modular display system was created by Retail Solution Center, a Freeport, NY-based p.o.p. display firm.
NaturoMedica Opens Boutique Natural Medicine Clinic
NaturoMedica, a boutique natural medicine clinic, recently opened in Sammamish, WA, with the vision to create a humanized brand image as a provider of an innovative combination of naturopathic and traditional medicine. GIRVIN, Inc., a Seattle-based design firm, collaborated with NaturoMedica,to create the brand strategy. To position NaturoMedica as a hybrid of science-based medicine integrated together with natural medicine, GIRVIN used simple, elegant designs in warm and comforting colors such as gold, beige and red. GIRVIN focused on sturdy yet beautiful renewable resources such as bamboo and stained concrete flooring and recyclable glass, reflecting the clinic’s balance between old and new, and defining it as a welcoming and upscale environment.
Scholastic Opens Interactive Store For Kids
The Scholastic Store in New York’s SoHo has been redesigned to makes shopping more interactive and exciting for families.
The SoHo flagship features a new guided shopping experience organized by age and interest, and brings Scholastic’s beloved books to life by adding an 11-foot-tall dinosaur from the popular “How Do Dinosaurs” series, a life-size Magic School Bus, a new baby section housed by Clifford The Big Red Dog and a giant Klutz Build-a-Book section with a magnetic activity board.
In addition, The Scholastic Store has integrated special “Lectorum para ninos” sections within each age group offering bilingual and Spanish-language books for kids.
Hope Van Winkle, Director of Retail at Scholastic, said, “The store’s new design makes learning and reading more exciting, and offers a new, guided shopping experience that makes finding books, toys and other products that parents trust and kids love easy for everyone.”
Book Lights Corrugated Free-Standing Floor Display
Light Wedge needed a floor display with a small foot print to showcase its personal Book Lights at Barnes & Noble.
This custom corrugated display was created to merchandise several product offerings. The project went beyond concept and production. It encompassed display assembly, fulfillment and shipping.
The entire project from initial contact to shipping took approximately five weeks.
The colorful display attracts attention and is designed to be space efficient.
The Book Lights Corrugated Free-Standing Floor Display was created for Light Wedge by Meridian Display, a St. Paul, MN-based point-of-purchase display firm.
Watt Stopper/Legrand Launches Merchandising Program
Watt Stopper-Legrand, Santa Cruz, CA, has launched a Go Green merchandising program to promote sales of energy efficient lighting controls.
At the heart of the campaign are modular product displays with samples of commercial or residential controls alongside application guidelines. Showing actual samples of the new low profile sensors is the best way to communicate to customers just how attractive they really are, and displaying a variety of products helps customers select the right sensors for each project. Distributors choose display modules with products best suited for their target markets. Modules can be mounted in free-standing or wall-hanging displays or configured for countertop placement for increased visibility.
Office Depot Displays Disaster Preparedness Strategies
Office Depot recently conducted a Hurricane Preparedness Contest for Small Businesses, to help small businesses prepare for a potential disaster. Each of three winning businesses received a $5,000 Office Depot gift card and a special on-site consultation with a business continuity expert.
The Office Depot Hurricane Preparedness Contest for Small Businesses was developed to underscore the importance of readiness planning and demonstrate the availability of simple, affordable solutions to safeguard a company's most important assets: its people and its data.
Special displays in Office Depot stores featured products to help businesses prepare for potential disasters.
International Greetings “Kroger 4” Pallet Display
This display was used to provide the consumer a way to easily find fashionable and top of the line quality products all in one place to make the gift giving experience enjoyable and memorable.The marketing goal was to provide customers with a collection of seasonal products that was prominently displayed in a “boutique” style pallet. This allowed the display to be sent fully packed with minimal set-up time in stores.
This International Greetings USA “Kroger 4' Pallet” was created by U.S. Display Group, a Tullahoma, TN and Newark, NJ-based p.o.p. display firm.
American Greetings Displays ‘Gift Card Mall’
American Greetings’ U.S. card and gift shops have introduced gift cards for other retailers, making them the first mall-based stores to offer what is known as a “gift card mall.” The stores are featuring new displays offering gift cards for 16 different food, entertainment and lifestyle retailers, including Applebee’s, Circuit City, Blockbuster and Lowe's. The program is the result of the Company’s partnership with InComm, the nation's largest gift card marketer.
The gift card malls at American Greetings and Carlton Cards stores will offer more than just gift cards. They are equipped with everything consumers need to present these popular plastic gifts with style and a personal message, including specially designed cards, bags, tissue and unique gifting solutions.
Wal-Mart Kiosks Display Digital TV Options
Some 13 million U.S. households will be impacted by the switch to digital broadcast, so Wal-Mart has made specific plans to help customers make an informed decision. U.S. households are about to receive $40 digital converter box coupons, and Wal-Mart is stocked and ready with these small converter box units designed to keep home analog TVs receiving a digital signal.
This digital shelf display will remind consumers of the impending switch to digital broadscast and their need to take action to continue receiving TV signals.
Customers can also sign up for cable or satellite service at Wal-Mart stores for their current home TV or with the purchase of a new TV through in-store kiosks with the help of a Wal-Mart associate.
APC Displays Computer Peripherals
APC, West Kingston, RI, a global leader in computer power and cooling products, is using this fixture to merchandise its line of mobile c accessories.
This display, which presents a contemporary image and offers retailers great flexibility, recently won a 2008 American Package Design Award in the “Point of Purchase and Signs and Displays and Kiosks” category.
“The American Package Design Awards recognizes the value that creative staff members bring to the process of creating great packaging and point-of-purchase displays,” said Aaron Davis, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, APC.
Huge Nail Attracts Shoppers To Display
Techtronic Industries, Anderson, SC, needed to attract general contractors and carpenters to its line of Professional Nail Guns.
The display’s creative and utilitarian elements are manufactured from materials to withstand the contractor dealer environment: steel, wire, wood, steel tubing and molded components.
This display was created for Techtronic Industries by United Displaycraft, Des Plaines, IL.
Timbertech Displays New Fence Products
TimberTech Inc., Wilmington, OH, is using this display to launch its new FenceScape fence products. FenceScape composite fencing products are made from reclaimed wood fibers and pure plastic resins with a rich, natural wood pattern.
This display educates consumers about a maintenance free fence that has the look of wood and is available in four different plank styles -- the 3 1/2” & 5 1/2” dog ear and the 3 1/2” and 5 1/2” square cut. The display also illustrates the different ways to use the planks -- as a picket, privacy or shadowbox fence.
The renforced fence rail is highlighted to customers with a cut-away in the rail.
Brass handles mounted to the fence posts on either side of the display encourage consumers to touch the display.
This display was created for TimberTech by Downing Retail Display, a Copley, OH-based point-of-purchase display firm.
Farmer Boys Promotes New Chicken Sandwiches
Farmer Boys Restaurants is using point-of-sale signage to help promote three new “made to order” chicken sandwiches. Included in this systemwide rollout are The Club, Bacon BBQ Ranch and Charbroiled Chicken sandwiches.
“Farmer Boys has always stood for providing the best from the farm with fresh, wholesome and quality ingredients that deliver superior taste,” said Ken Clark, President, Farmer Boys.
Frieda’s Chinese New Year Banners Promotes Produce
For produce managers, the Chinese New Year is an opportunity to build sales as the 15-day celebration is filled with family feasts and banquets. Whether consumers honor the 15-day event with traditional cuisine or simply celebrate with a few Asian favorites, Frieda's specialty produce company has everything needed for the perfect in-store Chinese New Year celebration, including the appropriate products and eye-catching POS.
Along with having the right mix of Asian specialties to support any size display, Frieda's offers in-store signage to create excitement for Chinese New Year. A 16" x 36" banner that features the Chinese zodiac symbols and encourages consumers to celebrate the event is available to retailers who order a minimum of five cases of featured products per store.
“With our Chinese New Year effort, Frieda's offers produce managers the tools to take advantage of healthy eating trends, the high popularity of Asian foods, and the opportunity for impulse sales," said Karen Caplan, Frieda's President.
Smoky Market Foods Rolls Out Aggressive Kiosk Expansion Plan
Smoky Market Foods has spent 12 years developing proprietary Smoke-Baking technology to seal in the healthful flavor of a variety of menu items. The Company is now placing its prototype 150-sq. ft. self-contained kiosks into such venues as airports, hotels, office buildings, university campuses, and convenience stores across the nation.
“Kiosks highlight the flexibility of Smoky Market Foods’ products and distribution system,” said Eddie Feintech, Smoky Market’s CEO. “Our kiosks will be cost-efficient to operate because no cooking or handling of raw food products will be done on site.”
Hershey Supports Dale Earnhardt Promotion With In-store Displays
The Hershey Co. is offering racing fans a taste of history with the debut of four Collector Edition bars featuring iconic images of racing legend Dale Earnhardt.
The bars coincide with this year’s 50th Anniversary of the Daytona 500 and the 10th Anniversary of Earnhardt’s historic 1998 Daytona 500 victory.
The promotion gives fans the opportunity to make a donation to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation and also allows visitors to post their name, message and picture online for other fans to view. These individual pictures will become the pieces of a large fan photo mosaic designed to look like Earnhardt, which will be displayed throughout the year.
The final mosaic, along with a check representing the funds earned from the promotion, will be presented to The Dale Earnhardt Foundation on “Dale Earnhardt Day,” April 29, 2008, at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., in Mooresville, N.C.
The Hershey/Dale Earnhardt promotion will be supported in-store with special merchandising materials.
ING DIRECT Installs Digital Signage At Its New Chicago Café Location
ING DIRECT USA, the nation’s largest direct bank, has installed digital signage from Rise Vision Inc. at its new Chicago café location.
“The digital signage displays serve as a dynamic billboard that enables customers to get our complete message from the street,” said Shaun Rowley, manager of the Chicago Café for ING DIRECT.
ING DIRECT has no brick-and-mortar branches, and connects with customers online, via phone and mail. Its cafés enable customers to use computer terminals to conduct banking transactions and enjoy a cup of coffee.
The new Chicago café features a series of seven LCDs facing the street, which enables passers-by to see information on mortgage and bank products.
Umpqua Bank Opens Innovation Lab
Umpqua Bank, has opened its new store concept in Portland, OR. The store will serve as Umpqua's Innovation Lab, showcasing emerging technologies that redefine what consumers can expect from a banking experience.
Umpqua has collaborated with numerous technology companies including Cisco, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, and Planar.
The 3,000 sq. ft. store will feature: Product Wall: A 25-foot, interactive, seamless dynamic plasma wall that features touch screen technology, pod casts and community search functionality. LocalSpace: Umpqua's own social networking site. Designed to connect and assist local businesses in a virtual setting. Computer Cafe: Features tables embedded with state-of-the-art laptops inviting visitors to try easy-access online banking solutions. Interactive and In-store Shopping: Browse merchandise from local merchants as well as Umpqua’s Discover Local Music CDs, books and other finds.
Whole Foods Shelf Signage Conveys Freshness
Whole Foods is using this double sided chalkboard that can be clipped onto shelves to promote product specials.
The matte finish chalkboards are used with special chalk markers. The chalkboards, which can be viewed from both sides and cleaned and reused when needed, help convey Whole Foods personalized shopping experience.
These chalkboards were created for Whole Foods by Heritage Sign & Display, a Nesquehoning, PA-based p.o.p. display firm.
Bi-Lo End Cap Display
The Bi-Lo chain located throughout South Eastern United States, wanted an end cap display that allowed simple installation to various height fixtures within the chain.
The key issues were the design, engineering and production of a multi-fit attachment bracket that allowed for the installation. Utilizing a l" square tubing frame-work and metal "U" channels to accept changeable graphics, the units were installed in 250 Bi-Lo stores.
The units are 53" wide x 21" high x 13" deep. The engineering and manufacturing of the units were done by DNS Display Industries Inc., Concord, Ontario, while the on-site technical support, graphics and warehousing and installation of units were handled by Berman Visuals of Atlanta, Georgia.
The Bi-Lo End Cap Display was created by DNS Display Industries, Inc., a Concord, Ontario Canada-based point-of-purchase display firm.
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