In-Store articles from February 2004

In-Store archives from February 2004

Asda trials in-store media ...(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Asda is speaking to a number of suppliers about trialling instore media in its stores, and looks set to follow in the footsteps of Sainsbury's and Tesco, which are already testing systems. According to Asda in-store communications manager...

... And awards Bezier P-O-P account.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Bezier has retained its Asda P-O-P account after coming through a tendering process involving a number of rival companies. The Wakefield company has held the Asda account for the last 16 years. Along with providing existing services, Bezier...

Toronto-based design consultancy, Perennial Inc, has won an Award of Merit in the supermarket category of the 33rd 2003 Institute of Store Planners/Visual Merchandising and Store Design International Store Design Awards.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Toronto-based design consultancy, Perennial Inc, has won an Award of Merit in the supermarket category of the 33rd 2003 Institute of Store Planners/Visual Merchandising and Store Design International Store Design Awards. The award was given for...

BBC TV programme and related video game, Fightbox, has used design group Uber to develop a range of branding and promotional material.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... BBC TV programme and related video game, Fightbox, has used design group Uber to develop a range of branding and promotional material. Following the TV show's debut, the game will be released on 6 February for the Sony Playstation 2, PC and...

Sainsbury's buys into convenience ...(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Sainsbury's has refused to comment on reports it is about to follow Tesco into the convenience sector by acquiring TM Retail for a price in excess of 200m [pounds sterling]. The group owns 1,200 stores operating under the Martin, Forbuoys...

... And is in the dock over over-pricing.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Sainsbury's has been fined 13,000 [pounds sterling] by Sutton Magistrates court, for a series of overpricing errors. The mistakes were made in Sainsbury's Wallington cud North Cheam stores. Goods labelled as cut-price were charged to...

Whole Foods Market buys Fresh and Wild.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... US organic foods retailer Whole Foods Market has gained its first foothold in Europe with the acquisition of London-based chain Fresh and Wild, for $38million. Whole Foods Market says this is the first step in its strategy to expand...

Asprey store grows old gracefully.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Asprey's New Bond Street store in London will re-open with 1,900 sq m of renovated and redesigned retail space in April 2004. Since 1781, the store has had a reputation founded on silver and leather goods, porcelain, crystal and gems. The...

She Actives, a new sports and outdoor store for women, is preparing to launch its first store in London's Covent Garden in March, using a store format created by design group Judge Gill.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... She Actives, a new sports and outdoor store for women, is preparing to launch its first store in London's Covent Garden in March, using a store format created by design group Judge Gill. A predominantly white space will be offset with a 'a...

New talking shop works for Lunn Poly.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Following a January trial of Whispering Windows technology in six stores, high street travel retailer Lunn Poly has purchased a system for permanent use. The Newlands Scientific system will be used to support the launches of new shops and...

Nando's has added three new flavours to its cooking sauce range, while repositioning and repackaging the brand.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Nando's has added three new flavours to its cooking sauce range, while repositioning and repackaging the brand. The move extends the Peri-Peri portfolio to seven flavours and reduces the price. The new sauces are Coconut, Lime & Coriander and...

Temporary replacement for Harrison at Nestle.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Nestle Rowntree has appointed Sam Hunter as temporary marketing director, following the departure of Andrew Harrison (pictured) to head up Muller Dairy's UK operations. Hunter was appointed by Nestle managing director, Chris White, who...

Aroma technology gives museum scents of purpose.(News)(Dale Air)(Museum in Dudley )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The gift shop of the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley is trialling new scent-based technology, developed by Dale Air. The UK company has collaborated with France Telecom R&D to produce aroma technology that works with film, video or...

Blockbuster in prize promo.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Blockbuster is offering customers who rent two movies, two games, or a combination of the two, an instant win scratch card with a chance to win one of two minion prizes. The promotion, running from 27 January to 22 February, includes...

Thunderbird badges are go.(News)
February 1, 2004... Focus DIY has launched a range of Thunderbirds-themed badges, available for a minimum donation of 1 [pounds sterling], to benefit the Meningitis Trust. The retailer hopes to raise 100,000 [pounds sterling] for the charity during the year.

Chicago Town gets uniform appeal.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Frozen pizza brand Chicago Town, owned by Schwan's Consumer Brands, is relaunching its range. It is introducing more uniform packaging to all its products in a bid to achieve greater visual impact. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Fopp gets a welcome in the hillsides.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Independent entertainment retailer Fopp will open its first dedicated bookstore in Cardiff on 25 March 2004. The shop will emphasise developing books by new authors, classic titles and Welsh language books. "This store will give something...

Snappy Snaps show customer devotion.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Customers buying Valentine's gifts at branches of Snappy Snaps, where products include personalised mugs and jigsaws featuring photographs, will receive a free box of Lindt chocolates.

Wyevale looks to bloom brighter.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Wyevale Garden Centres has hired design group ashleycarterwhitehead to refresh its store interiors and brand identity. Wyevale, with 122 outlets, is the UK's largest chain of garden centres

Mini pellet makeover is bad news for slugs.(News)(Bio's Slug Mini Pellet range)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Bio's Slug Mini Pellet range has been launched in two new sizes. Old 300g and 800g containers have been replaced by 400g and 1kg containers. A range of colourful, free standing P-O-P dispensers has been created by design group Thomas & Cosh....

Screens are in fashion at Harrods.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Harrods is extending its use of "holographic" screens. A temporary homewares display is now in-store, and two permanent screens will launch in fashion departments in the spring.

Shoppers complacent about debt.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Although 41 per cent of UK adults have store card, credit card and personal loan debts, only a third plan to review their finances, according to new research by Alliance and Leicester. Many consumers plan to shop around for better deals and to...

High Street or bust? Are specialist and small shops being run out of town by the big guns of retail.(News Analysis)
February 1, 2004... It's no secret that small, specialist high street stores have their work cut out, with increased competition from large supermarkets, a heavy tax burden and consumers increasingly seduced by online retailers. And now, to add to this, possible...

The age of enlightenment.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... It's nice to see a good topic being covered afresh ("Grey Pride" In-Store, December 2003). However, I fear that you have missed a trick. You say that older consumers are sophisticated, marketing-literate, cynical about product claims, and...

P-O-P art.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... It's great to see the report on design and cost reduction P-O-P ("Better, faster, cheaper" In-store, January). The article saw" "better" in terms of quality of design. But what it's really about is effectiveness--does it generate sales? ...

Come on down--the price will soon be right!(Leader)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... With Christmas barely over, the next big fixtures in the retail calendar are already looming. Valentine's Day and the Easter weekend are set to bring joy to greetings card retailers and DIY chains, respectively. There is always the chance,...

Sweet surrender: Catherine Lister of WH Smith Travel goes all gooey over Selfridges' confectionery counter.(Display Of The Month)
February 1, 2004... "Some retailers seem to think their brand can go on hold during sale time," says Catherine Lister, marketing manager of WH Smith Travel. "Certainly, the trading environment is turned on its head with the need to accommodate special purchases...

Paint a brighter picture.(Global Talk)
February 1, 2004... There are major issues facing the paint retail and manufacturing market in Europe today. The best way to respond to these challenges is with innovation. In this declining market what is becoming clear is that we need to come up with more...

Elumin8 and Ginco light up De Beers.(International News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Elumin8 has worked with Ginco to create an electro-luminescent window display for diamond specialist De Beers. Formed of three 1.2m circles, the installation lights up in sequences to create a sparkling effect. The display, currently in the...

Seven-Eleven Japan ventures into China.(International News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Seven-Eleven Japan has established a joint venture company to develop a convenience store network in China. Other companies involved are Beijing ShouLian Commercial Group and China National Sugar and Alcohol Group.

Ahold announces Topps chop.(International News)(Topps Markets)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Ahold's US subsidiary, Topps Markets, has said it is selling off its 204 convenience stores, The stores include 127 Wilson Farms branches, 67 Sugar Creek stores and 67 Topps Xpress stores. The sale is part of Ahold's strategy to concentrate on...

Argos strikes gold in the emerald isle.(International News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Sales at Argos' Irish stores have reached 181m [euro] to September 2003. The retailer has 18 stores and employs more than 550 staff in Ireland and is planning additional stores in Dublin, Cork and Galway,

Delhaize malaise blamed on weak dollar.(International News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Delhaize announced a sales decrease of 9.1 per cent for the fourth quarter. The retail group says this was due to a weakening dollar--down 16.4 per cent against the euro--acquisitions and deconsolidations.

Dunnes and Tesco fined.(International News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Dunnes and Tesco have each been fined 20,000 [euro] by Dublin District Court for contravening the Groceries Order by selling baby food at below-cost prices. The action was inflated by the RGDATA which represents small and medium-sized...

Bienvenue Starbucks.(International News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Starbucks opened its first French store on 16 January, five years after its first forays into Europe--in the UK, Austria and Switzerland. The launch is in conjunction with Spanish joint venture company Grupo Vips.

Shoppers Stop expands in India.(International News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Indian department store Shoppers Stop is developing two existing stores in Mumbai and Delhi and opening a new branch in Bangalore. The new store, to open in April, will have 5,000 sq m of retail space on one floor. London-based JHP design is...

Sainbury's sea change: Lauren Mills, business correspondent at the Sunday Telegraph, argues that even with a bright young captain at the helm, big businesses take time to turn around.
February 1, 2004... Sir Peter Davis has been throwing his weight about in an attempt to convince analysts that J Sainsbury's dire January trading figures did not amount to a profits warning. "No, no no!" he thundered. "It's not a profits warning. We'd have said if...

Festive fall-off at Argos.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Argos, the catalogue retail chain of GUS, saw like-for-like sales growth of three per cent in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In the previous quarter the group achieved like-for-like growth of seven per cent.

Boots looks for a slimmer workforce.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Boots is to axe 900 staff from its Nottingham HQ, in a bid to become more competitive. The company aims to save 100m [pounds sterling] over the next three years as a result of its "Getting into shape" programme.

Carphone Warehouse is upwardly mobile.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Carphone Warehouse traded ahead of its own expectations in the thirteen weeks to 27 December. Retail revenue grew by 32.8 per cent, with a 15.6 per cent increase in gross profit. New phone connections increased by 25.7 per cent.

Dixons' Christmas campaign pays off.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Dixons Group saw like-for-like sales up four per cent over the eight week Christmas period. Promotions and advertising had been increased over the same period.

Bumper party season for Londis.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Year-on-year alcohol and chilled food sales were up by more than 10 per cent at Londis stores over Christmas. Like-for-like wholesale figures for the group were up by nearly seven per cent.

Interim figures are music to HMV ears.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Music and book retailer HMV Group announced a 70 per cent profits growth in its interim results. Sales were up by around two per cent during the Christmas season. Pre-tax profits for the group were 10.7m [pounds sterling].

Food for thought at Sainsbury's.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Sainsbury's third quarter trading statement reported like-for-like sales up two per cent for the four weeks to 3 January, and up 0.1 per cent for the whole quarter.

Seasonal sales soar online.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Internet shopping in Britain over Christmas 2003 rose more than 70 per cent on 2002, to 2.5 billion [pounds sterling]. I MRG, the trade body for online retailers, recorded sales of 1.32 billion [pounds sterling] in November and 1.2 billion...

Sales boom may prompt rate rises.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... UK retail sales for the last quarter have risen by 1.9 per cent, the biggest rise since May 2002, says the Office of National Statistics. The economy also grew, with GDP rising by 0.9 per cent, fuelling speculation the Bank of England will...

Grown up game: Gary Grant, founder of toy store chain The Entertainer, tells Maeve Hosea why child's play is a seriously fun business.(Profile: Gary Grant, The Entertainer)
February 1, 2004... A Jack in the box on the company's logo leaps out behind Gary Grant, founder of growing toyshop group The Entertainer. "I got into toys because it was an opportunity," he says zestfully. Grant's opportunity catapulted him into a career in...

Have your cake and eat it: low carbohydrate diets such as Atkins are taking off, but they're tough on the sweet and sugary things in life. James Quilter finds that the arrival of low-carb products pioneered in the US could nourish a market boom.(Market Report)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... Obesity is one of the developed world's growing problems--in the UK it has tripled in the past 20 years according to the government. Consumers don't need to look far to find motivation to lose the pounds and are constantly being warned about...

When is a sale not a sale? Good things come to those who wait--or do they? As more and more people hang on for the sales, Maeve Hosea examines whether the trend is in the interests of consumers--or the retail industry.(Consumer Trends)
February 1, 2004... With the relationship between retailers and shoppers shifting as UK consumers become cannier about marketing, the sales culture on the British high street is growing. Shopper awareness of the bargains soon to be had, coupled with the fact...

Counter measures to retail criminals: James Quilter uncovers the latest techniques for tackling retail crime--on both sides of the till.(Special Report)
February 1, 2004... Is it a case of running to stand still or are retailers winning the battle against crime? According to figures in the British Retail Consortium's annual crime review, criminal losses from 2000 to 2002 reached 5.26bn [pounds sterling], with...

Environment is everything ...(Show Update)(In-Store Design and Marketing Show)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The In-Store Design and Marketing Show is already 20% larger than it was at this time a year ago and is going from strength to strength. Group Event Director Victoria Crick puts this impressive growth down to the fact that it is the only show...

New to the In-Store design and marketing show.(Show Update)(Splash Display)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Splash Display is one of Britain's fastest growing solutions providers and a first time exhibitor at the show. Their revolutionary screen system has been a huge success in their work for the launch of the new FIAT Panda car and to maximise the...

Innovation is key.(Show Update)
February 1, 2004... Innovatory new features such as the Digital Village and the sdeaVillage provide an even more sophisticated platform for exhibiting companies. TEAMtalk Broadcast Ltd will be one of the exhibitors in the digital village which has been launched as...

Leading POP companies return.(Show Update)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... One of the major market leaders, CRP Print and Packaging, have re-booked for the 2004 event. The company will be introducing their new innovations for transforming temporary and promotional in-store POP, on show will be the latest selection of...

'Cutting edge' product launches that attract 1000's of senior buyers.(Show Update)(In-Store Design and Marketing Show)
February 1, 2004... The In-Store Design and Marketing Show attracts 1000's of senior buyers who are actively sourcing innovative new products like the latest version of the "Eyeball" Globe Digital Sign from first time exhibitor Newscanner Plc. The "Eyeball" is an...

All indicators point to the biggest, most successful show yet.(Show Update)
February 1, 2004... Companies representing every sector of the in-store industry have committed themselves to the UK's leading retail environment show:The In-Store Design and Marketing Show, and space is selling out fast.

The signs they are a-changing: Maeve Hosea finds out how 21st-century retailers are unlocking the dynamic potential of in-store media.(Special Report)(Sainsbury PLC)(Selfridges Ltd.)
February 1, 2004... Brand building, entertainment, product promotion, corporate communications and training can all be achieved through careful content mix on in-store screens. But are retailers giving customers the content they want, and are they achieving all...

P-O-P keeps on growing.(Point Of Purchase Advertising International)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The world of POPAI has come rather closer to the UK and Ireland than has previously been the case. Over the last few months, a number of members from abroad who do not have their own country offices have joined us. Following a recent visit to...

No tag too small for Sky-Guard loop system.(Product News)(Blue Rock Security)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Commercial and retail security provider, Blue Rock Security, has developed Sky-Guard, a wide aisle loop system using 58khz technology which can detect tags as small as those attached to jewellery. Blue Rock says the system is the first to...

Latest player transfers.(Product News)(RemotePlayer 3)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Digital View has launched its latest generation of remotely updateable MPEG players, RemotePlayer 3. The product enables cost-effective implementation of dynamic outdoor and in-store digital media networks. RemotePlayer 3 uses advanced...

QRS makes an impact.(Product News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... QRS has launched a new information management product, QRS IMPACT. The computer system acts as a central repository for data. All information, from a manufacturer, branch office or trading partner, is held in one place. The product is aimed...

Shelf service.(Product News)(Sofadi has launched new broad slot channels)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Sofadi has launched new broad slot channels for use in shelving systems, aimed at design companies and shopfitting contractors. The channels are supplied with matching cast alloy brackets in gold or satin silver finish. The channels can be...

Mitsubishi Electric has launched two projectors for retail displays.(Product News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Mitsubishi Electric has launched two projectors for retail displays. The SL4U and XL4U join the range of ultra-portable projectors, weighing just 2.7kg. The SL4U offers SVGA resolution (800x600 pixels) and the XL4U offers XGA resolution...

Industry directory.(Directory)
February 1, 2004... ACRYLIC LASER CUTTING PLASTIC-FORMERS LTD King Street, Stockport Road, Denton, Manchester, M34 6PF. T: 0161 320 7200 F: 0161 335 0109 email: enquiries@plasticformers.co.uk www.plasticformers.co.uk Contact: Dennis...

Store equipment directory.(Directory)
February 1, 2004... sdea The Shop and display Association has launched a new website with a rumple product locator and a comprehensive search facility enabling retailers, shopfitters and designers to track down the product or service they need from a choice...

Swatch.(Eye On Design)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Bright, colourful, fun and full of personality--this store makes you feel good as soon as you set foot on the sparkly, electric blue floor. Swatch watches are not timepieces but fashion accessories for individuals, so it's a relief they didn't...

Watches of Switzerland.(Eye On Design)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... I was expecting this retailer to be a bit stuffy and boring, but it was a nice surprise to find quite a modern, premium atmosphere. Unfortunately, some materials were questionable, such as the tacky-looking varnished wood and grim, grey...

Storm.(Eye On Design)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... A shop built for magpies, being more boutique-like in feel with a pure white interior, bright lighting and reflective surfaces. Neat merchandising allowed the product to be displayed in a more precious way but the strongest element here was the...

Casio.(Eye On Design)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Casio has always been an innovative, technology-driven, fashion-led brand with iconic products (I was a proud owner of that eighties classic, the calculator watch), which is why this store feels Like an opportunity missed. It was disappointing...