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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trion Industries has expanded its Shelf Works Expandable Wire Tray line to include extra height dividers, multiple pusher capability, and pusher height extensions to handle large products. The units mount to standard and wire shelving, and are freezer capable supporting oversize items. The minimal-silhouette open wire design of the EWT sheds dust and dirt, and enhances visibility. Powder-coated galvanized wire and tough Celcon plastic adaptor blocks offer economy and durability. For more information, contact Trion Industries, 297 Laird St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702; (Tel) 800-444-4665, (Fax) 570-823-4080, (Web Site) www.triononline.com.
Fairfield Displays & Lighting has designed a set of floating acrylic cubes for displaying small items. The kit comprises a set of acrylic cubes with their own integrated lighting. These cubes are suspended on cables, which can be fitted between the floor and ceiling or positioned in a free-standing unit. For more information, contact Fairfield Displays & Lighting, 1707 Bethlehem Pike, Hatfield, PA 19440; (Tel) 800-496-2181, (Fax) 215-997-5970, (Web Site) www.fairfielddisplays.com.
METOMIC Corp. supplies brass and aluminum components to the display industry. From 500 parts to 10,000, from stock parts to custom, METOMIC is the source for brass or aluminum screw machine parts. For more information, contact METOMIC Corporation, 2944 West 26th Street, Chicago, IL 60623; (Tel) 773-247-4716, 800-847-8342, (Fax) 773-247-2563, (Web site) www.metomic.com.
LDB Manufacturing specializes in p.o.p. display hooks and hardware. Scanning and loop hooks come standard and custom size in usable lengths from 4" to 12". Loop and scanning loop hooks are available with slat wall, grid and heavy duty peg board back plates. For more information about LDB’s line of p.o.p. display hooks, contact LDB Manufacturing, 2380 Plainfield Pike, Cranston, RI 02921; (Tel) 800-727-7310, 401-944-6000, (Web Site) www.ldbmanufacturing.com.
Marv-O-Lus Mfg. Co. manufactures the 84-6MH-4 24-hook Versa-Rack, ideal for holding heavy merchandise with an 8 ¼"L hook, ¼" wire. The unit contains 6 tiers (4 hooks each). Its dimensions are 65 ½"H x 24"W x 27"D. The 84-6MH-4 is available in white with locking casters included. For more information, contact Marv-O-Lus Mfg. Co., 220 North Washtenaw Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612; (Tel) 773-826-1717; (Fax) 773-265-1800; (Web Site) www.marv-o-lus.com.
Southern Imperial, Inc. offers its 2005 Stock Display Catalog, which includes modular card and magazine racks, wire grid towers and displays, spinners, dump bins and theft deterrent displays. For a copy, contact Southern Imperial, 1400 Eddy Ave., Rockford, IL 61103; (Tel) 800-747-4665, (Fax) 815-877-7454; (Web Site) www.southernimperial.com.
Trion Industries, Inc. offers its Display & Scan Hook Catalog featuring display, scan, loop, plastic and specialty hooks, merchandising strips, label holders, components and accessories. The Catalog includes product lines for pegboard, slatwall, grid, end cap, crossbar and specialty hooks. For a copy, contact Trion Industries, 297 Laird Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702; (Tel) 570-824-1000, 800-444-4665, (Web) www.triononline.com.
Boston Retail produces the Boston Beam display system for defining space at trade shows, suspending graphics and lighting. This decorative truss system is constructed with steel tubing and wire webbing and is available in straight lengths, angled components, curved corners and arches in flat, triangular and square profiles. The twist connector system, TurnStyle™ makes installation fast and simple. For more information, contact Boston Retail, 400 Riverside Ave., Medford, MA 02155; (Tel) 800-225-1633, (Web) bostonretail.com.
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