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News - New Focus
(updated 16 June 2009)
(16.06.09)
Since the emergence of fully graphical e-paper displays for retail, the ROI argument for electronic shelf labelling has changed radically. ZBD took the decision in September 2008 to make a significant investment to create a next generation ROI model. The result, which has been heavily market-tested since January 2009, and developed in conjunction with Martec International, an independent retail consultancy, models all the capabilities – Use Cases – that ZBD supports to deliver benefit to retailers.
ZBD is taking a consultative approach with retailers and its ROI tool is proving invaluable in helping them assess the relevance and payback period for their own specific business segment: mass and c-store food, non-food, speciality, department, warehouse, discount, telco and more.
“We’re using the ROI tool to help retailers visualise all the ways in which e-paper displays can deliver savings and benefits within their unique business, and just as importantly, to help us understand their processes and business drivers”, says Jann Naef, Product Marketing Director, leading the ROI programme.
With ZBD’s displays, any ERP or upstream data can be delivered to the point of purchase without limitation: product information, including graphics and brand logos, price and promotion data and competitor pricing, any consumer information: from health data and food miles to feature/function information and CO2 footprint. Staff can benefit by having planograms and replenishment information at the shelf: availability, due date and off-shore location, as well as alternative product data, up-sell data and more.
Typically, the ROI is deployed in three stages. First, ZBD presents a segment-specific model with some data specific to the retailer which is used to filter those ‘Use Cases’ that are relevant to the retailer’s operations. The second iteration uses more detailed client data to determine the anticipated payback period for all the relevant Use Cases - the quick wins. The third iteration lays the foundation for the pilot: which Use Cases to test; what is the projected benefit; how the data is to be gathered; and so provides a framework for success evaluation post-project.
All output is framed within a P&L and cashflow view of the retailer’s operation over the lifetime of the system – which can be in excess of ten years - along with executive summaries and graphic representations of savings and benefits.
“We are currently in discussions with over 50 retailers in the UK, USA and Europe and it is proving a hugely valuable discovery tool for everyone – retailers have been uniformly positive about the breadth and thoroughness of the ZBD’s ROI model,’’ says Naef. Depending on the retail segment and the permutation of Use Cases that apply to the retailer, the majority of participants in the ROI programme are finding a potential payback period of between six months and 18 months.
ZBD pulled together its own expertise – including ROI models previously produced - and commissioned Martec International to take a fresh look at the opportunities for e-paper in retail. Brian Hume, Martec’s founder, comments, “In constructing the ROI model, we reviewed the various ways in which ZBD's display technology could contribute to improving a retailer's overall profit performance. We surprised ourselves at how many ways the technology could help, other than the purely obvious, and the model assesses the impact on profitability and cash flow of all the various options. The model gives an accurate, time-phased assessment of costs and benefits allowing retailers to simulate a variety of implementation strategies and select the one that works best for them.”
(16.06.09)
The Paseot Lounge concept creates personal audio environments for customers of VIP and congress centres, business lounges and other exclusive spaces. In public areas, such as airport lounges, the use of audio has been severely limited, says Panphonics. Visitors have had to choose between playing their own audio content aloud, for them and their neighbours to hear or resort to using uncomfortable headphones or earbuds, if such devices are available.
Finnish design company Thorandson has addressed this need with a product that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, providing additional convenience for today's modern traveller. The Paseot is designed to meet the needs of demanding customers in congress and VIP centres, business lounges, and other exclusive spaces that cannot be reached by any other media. It is based on tailored concept products that provide a personal audio environment, creating a limited sound field that targets a single individual. These precisely controlled audio areas are easily created using Panphonics directional audio technology, which delivers clear, crisp audio to the intended listener without disturbing the surrounding environment.
Paseot users can control the audible content by connecting their personal audio source using the provided spiral audio cord. Various audio sources are supported, such as laptops, media players and mobile phones. The Paseot directional loudspeaker is always ready to use and does not require any configuration from the user to operate.
Each Paseot product is equipped with two European standard plug points and one USB power port as an additional convenience for travellers and their power hungry mobile devices.
(16.06.09)
The new Intel Atom based Vario A1 player from Blue Chip Technology is available preloaded with signagelive for true Instant Digital Signage.
The performance of the Vario A1 enables full unrestricted support for all signagelive features including multi-zone layouts with multiple video, still image windows, multiple RSS tickers, TV overlay card and live IPTV streaming. In addition, the Vario A1 is capable of supporting a full range user generated content through native support of Media RSS within signagelive.
Including 12 months warranty and a signagelive licence, the Vario A1/signagelive bundle is said to represent tremendous value for money. Options are also available to increase the warranty and signagelive licence to three years at the time of order.
The Vario A1 and signagelive bundle is available through signagelive distributors and Blue Chip Technology.
(02.06.09)
Hotly tipped 2009 new artist Gary Go and luxury shirtmaker Thomas Pink teamed up to provide Thomas Pink customers with an exclusive opportunity. An exciting campaign ran throughout May across the Thomas Pink estate coinciding with Gary Go’s new album release on the 25th.
Mood Media, with its music concepts delivered to over 116,000 retail stores worldwide, acted as the conduit between the label and the brand. “We are continuously looking for ways that music can help create a powerful retail experience and were thrilled to have introduced Thomas Pink and Polydor records”, says Concept Development Officer at Mood Media, Ben Curwin.
Gary Go was chosen as the best artist for the campaign as Thomas Pink was keen to support an exciting new artist that has the style and sound its customers would love. This music affinity campaign included free Gary Go track downloads, PoS promotions in-store and extensive in-store airplay for Gary Go across Mood Media’s music network.
Thomas Pink customers entered the prize draw on the dedicated page set-up on its website and had the opportunity to win some amazing prizes including a weekend of pampering for two at an exclusive Spa, tickets to see Gary Go live and spending money for a shopping spree at Thomas Pink. Jonathan Heilbron, Thomas Pink’s President & CEO comments, “We are thrilled to offer our customers something unique whilst also supporting a new British artist. Music is a huge part of our store identity and supports the confidence, style and Britishness inherent in the Thomas Pink brand.”
There is synergy, says Mood Media, between brands whose target customers have a real passion for music and artists such as Gary Go who are breaking into new markets. “There is huge direct reach to the consumer via the high street through in store play and affinity partnership activity,” adds Ben Curwin.
Gary Go, also the opening act for Take That’s summer stadium tour, comments “I am tickled pink to be rolling with Thomas!”
Mood Media thinks it will see more of these initiatives that generate great value for retail, consumers and the music industry. Check out www.thomaspink.com for additional information on the campaign and listen to Gary Go’s new single, Open Arms.
(02.06.09)
What, asks Lighthouse, does a brand that has already brought out the true beauty in millions of women around the world do when it looks to reinvigorate its image with a stunning new storefront in Hong Kong?
In the case of fashion and accessories brand Chanel, it turned to Lighthouse Technologies for a high-tech makeover using the latest LED screen technology at its new storefront, located at the prestigious Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. For the Hong Kong showcase, which follows hot on the heels of Lighthouse’s installation at Chanel’s US shop in Beverly Hills, 40, 6mm P6-FA front access panels were installed in 5x8 panel configuration, measuring up at 3.2m wide by 3.84m high.
Adjacent to the store’s staircase, the screen is visible to audiences walking down the stairs or looking in through the windows as they pass by. Lighthouse was responsible for the entire installation. The screen, which is being used to display the latest hot images and videos from Chanel’s fashion shows, is a fixed installation delivering dazzling digital signage that not only serves as artistic decoration but also provides a fully interactive customer experience.
When audiences walk by the screen, a camera detects their presence and images of Chanel’s monogram and other beautiful designs will shift accordingly, allowing customers and visitors to participate in a kind of interactive art.
Delivering brightness of 3000nits, 1000:1 contrast ratio and 14bit colour processing, the P6-FA panels easily produced the high brightness and visual quality needed to catch people’s attention. The project presented another challenge, however, says Lighthouse. Because the panels were to be installed on a wall, traditional rear access panels were not ideal. Lighthouse selected its P6-FA solution since its front access made maintenance a simpler process. It also helped minimise the depth of the installation.
“Chanel is a brand that thrives on creativity, a value that Lighthouse pursues in every project we take on,” says Peter Chan, Lighthouse’s General Manager. “The fact that they have chosen to work with us again is proof of our ability to develop solutions that shape and maintain brand images of trend and industry leaders, and this latest installation at their new Hong Kong store is no exception.”
