SLR SIGNS DUTCH CONTRA DEAL (21.07.08)
Sound Leisure Retail has teamed up with Dutch children's play equipment specialist Instore Kids Corners, IKC, in an agreement to distribute IKC equipment in the UK. IKC will also act as an agent for Sound Leisure Retail products in Europe. IKC, established in 1999, has grown to be one of the global market leaders in the field, selling into more than 20 countries worldwide through distributors and direct.

“The development department here at SLR, “ says SLR's Mike Black, “has been working closely with Instore Kids Corners for the past 12 months and some of our projects have already been delivered into retail outlets throughout Europe. We are also conducting some site tests with major clients with some new products, which we have developed together. Sound Leisure Retail is looking forward to moving into some new markets, thanks to the IKC range and to introducing the team in the Netherlands to some of our existing clients.”

According to IKC’s Ronald Davidson, “The IKC product range includes a large number of different play structures, play systems and interactive games but the basic principle for all these products is the same: turning play into profit. We create more turnover by entertaining customers’ children or by guiding them through the store with play systems installed at strategic points. Our play systems are suitable for areas of just 1m² to unlimited space. IKC also offers child furniture, indoor and outdoor play structures or custom developed items. We are thrilled to be working with Sound Leisure Retail and to be selling their high quality products throughout Europe.”

W: www.soundleisure.com

MITSUBISHI TAKES ON INGRAM MICRO (21.07.08)
Ingram Micro UK is a new distribution partner for Mitsubishi's range of data projectors and LCD digital signage displays. The announcement comes at an exciting time for both parties, with Mitsubishi Electric looking to increase its presence and brand within the IT sector, and Ingram Micro expanding its digital signage solutions portfolio.

Commenting on the agreement, Bhavesh Patel, Ingram Micro UK Commercial Director, says, "We have seen exponential growth in our projector business in recent quarters and we are constantly adding new customers to our current set. Ingram Micro will closely support its IT resellers building their AV portfolio in taking advantage of the huge business opportunity that this market represents. We strongly believe that this partnership with Mitsubishi will enhance our portfolio of projector manufacturers and will add further momentum to our strong growth in this sector."

"We are very pleased to announce our partnership with Ingram Micro UK,” adds Fraser McDonald, Mitsubishi Electric’s UK Sales Manager, “and are confident that with the knowledge and experience Ingram Micro has within the technology sector coupled with Mitsubishi's comprehensive product range that this will be a mutually successful relationship for both parties."

Ingram Micro UK joins Anders + Kern and Owl Visual Systems as distributors of Mitsubishi projectors that range from cost effective to full installation models, and LCD panels for commercial applications.

W: www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/vis

ABC WINS SPAR CONTRACT (08.07.08)
abc media has won an exclusive contract to provide affinity sales through Spar stores. The affinity partnerships will provide funding for a new in-store radio network, Spar Live and the revenue will also support other customer focussed initiatives.

In addition to radio, the partnerships will be promoted via in-store point of sales, an updated Spar homepage and a micro-site hosted and updated by abc media. Major partnerships in place for launch include AOL, Ocean Finance Loans and Mortgages, Retirement Plus, Medi-cash and Kwik-Fit insurance, providing targeted benefits to Spar's growing number of customers. abc group is the holding company for abc media, abc commerce and a creative and digital content agency; alphabet soup.

'We are constantly looking for new ways to enhance the customer in-store experience," says Richard Bennett, Spar's Retail Director. "Affinity partnerships will add to this experience and provide an important revenue stream to fund other initiatives. abc media have impressed us with their knowledge of retail, their unique experience and proven delivery."

W: www.abc-media.co.uk

FISH & TECHNOLOGY CHIPS (23.06.08)
Billingsgate fish market seafood specialist CT Holmes has grabbed first place in the race to become the first trader in the new Docklands market to take on digital signage. The new 60in dnp UCS rear projection display installed by Digital Vision AV has delivered a new competitive edge during the brisk early morning trading at the world famous, 900 year old market.

Paul Mayhew, who set up Digital Vision AV two years ago, described the decision to go digital as a no brainer once Holmes had set out its requirement. "They had considered hanging a plasma or LCD display," says Mayhew, "but these would have been too bulky given the confined area within the shop; they would also have suffered from reflection and would have had to battle with the elements and humidity in the market."

Instead he proposed a more elegant solution. Paradigm's 60in Ultra Contrast screen provides enhanced brightness from a lightweight chassis and the ability to view off-axis. And because it is rear projected, the screen is said to cast no shadow for those milling in front of it during busy trading periods. "This far outshines and outperforms a plasma solution," adds Mayhew.

According to David Williams, Holmes's regional sales manager, "At peak periods customers may have to wait five minutes for service and the new screen provides a distraction and keeps them amused, as well as showing them the latest promotions, special offers etc. We already occupy a prime position at the top of the market, and this eye-catching display will enable us to stand out further."

The system is said to be easy to operate. For the tiny Sanyo projector, ceiling mounted on a Unicol pole, the integrated memory viewer accepts an SD card. “This means the display can operate independently and be updated with JPG’s or simple movie files without the need for computer and cabling,” says Mayhew. “All they need to do is turn on the projector with the remote.”

To update content, the 70 year old market trader simply takes out the memory card and updates it from the PC in Holmes’s office. Digital Vision AV specialises in digital signage and projection and although the company is only two years old, Mayhew has been working with Paradigm for at least twice that amount of time, helping out with custom solutions.

W: www.rearpro.com

ON-LINE WEB SHAPES UP FOR KIOSKCOM (23.06.08)
With KioskCom Self Service Expo Europe just months away, the show organiser has launched the new www.selfserviceexpo.co.uk website. And, as an added interactive, manufacturers can use it to play a part in demonstrating the future of retail technology.

The innovation gallery, an all new feature for the show, offers a platform for exhibitors to showcase their most cutting edge products: those that aim to change the face of self service.

"At the show this year, we want to demonstrate the evolution of the self service market and show our visitors, the people that are investing in the technology, exactly where the next big thing is coming from," says Event Director. "It's about more than just showing the existing products that make life easier for the consumer, we want manufacturers who have taken things to the next level to shout about their innovations. Perhaps a previously functional kiosk application that has been made totally secure or something none of us have seen before."

Exhibitors, as well as those who intend to exhibit, can log on to www.selfserviceexpo.co.uk and enter their product via the call for innovation section. Details are submitted on-line and successful entries will form part of the Self Service Expo Gallery at London's Olympia in October.

As well as helping gather information on the latest in kiosk technology design and display solutions, the show website is a comprehensive resource for visitors and exhibitors alike, providing a wealth of event information and the latest news from Self Service Expo. Potential exhibitors can download facts and figures on the show and visitors can register for their free show passes.

Taking place at London’s Olympia on 1-2 October, the show offers the perfect environment for the key decision makers and property managers within a range of retail and hospitality industries, as well as local government, healthcare, transport and financial sectors, to discover the latest innovations in customer service technology.

Alongside the range of exhibitors and the new innovation gallery, Self Service Expo will feature a cutting-edge seminar programme where visitors and exhibitors alike can share ideas about the latest in self service and digital signage applications. The new website will provide detailed information and news, as the show draws nearer.

For further information on exhibiting at KioskCom Self Service Expo Europe and the European Digital Signage Show or even to register for the pre-launch visitor list, visit www.selfserviceexpo.co.uk