In-Store articles from February 2007

In-Store archives from February 2007

Local markets next, says Competition Commission.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... The next stage of the Competition Commission's investigation into the supermarket sector in the UK will focus on local markets, the CC has announced. The evidence gathered so far by the investigation has been published in an 'emerging...

Toyota uses three-dimensional hologram system.(Toyota Motor Corp.)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Japanese car giant Toyota has used a three-dimensional hologram system to launch its new concept store at the Bluewater shopping complex in Kent. Projection technology supplier Musion Systems has installed what it says is the largest...

Customers quick to drop online shops.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Fashion websites may be missing out on sales according to a new study conducted by Envision Retail. The qualitative survey saw 25 people take part over a four week period. Each person was monitored for 30 hours, with more than 150...

'Underperforming' Asda outlet closes.
February 9, 2007... Asda has closed one of its discount stores after it failed to yield the results expected. The Northampton Essentials store ceased trading at the end of January with employees redeployed in the area. The format, designed to compete...

Armani scents Valentine's.(Giorgio Armani S.p.A.)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... P-O-P units for Emporio Armani scents will be in stores across the UK in time for Valentine's Day. Merchandising for the perfume Remix has been designed and manufactured by SPS group. The P-O-P recreates the Armani fragrance bottle,...

FSA advises compromise in health labelling row.(Food Standards Agency)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and some of the UK's biggest food brands have gone head-to-head with rival advertising campaigns to promote healthy labelling schemes. The GDA (Guideline Daily Amount) campaign, supported by companies such...

JLP tops Which? retailers poll.(John Lewis Partnership PLC)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... John Lewis and its sister company Waitrose have been voted as the top retailers in the UK by a Which? consumer survey that also saw an impressive performace by discount supermarkets. More than 10,000 members of the group's online panel...

Godiva's new choc display bears all.
February 9, 2007... Chocolate brand Godiva has worked with Jason West Design Consultants to develop a suite of in-store fixtures to be used in wholesale and duty- free outlets. The high density displays are designed to draw attention to the elaborate product...

Molton Brown new displays.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Luxury lifestyle brand Molton Brown has introduced new in-store and window displays, after a brand communications review by Conran Design Group. "Our business growth in the last few years has been tremendous and creating clarity around our...

Domestos goes for gifts.
February 9, 2007... Unilever-owned cleaning brand Domestos is launching an on-pack promotion, featuring a gift-based incentive for the first time. A #1m marketing spend has been put behind the promotion, which was due to launch as In-Store went to press....

Texan Whole Foods hits London's High Street.(Whole Foods Market Inc. opens new store)
February 9, 2007... A window display designed by Liquid, advertising the opening of Whole Foods Market, has been erected in London's High Street Kensington. The natural and organic retailer is opening its first store in the UK this summer. Whole...

HP Sauce to be launched in squeezy bottle.
February 9, 2007... Heinz-owned HP Sauce, the UK's leading brown sauce brand, is being launched in a top-down squeezy bottle for the first time. The brand currently has a 72 per cent share of the #42m brown sauce market. "We're investing #4m in the brand this...

Healthy products figure in 2006.
February 9, 2007... Last year saw a record number of new products launched onto supermarket shelves, according to information from the Mintel Global New Products Database. Globally, nearly 182,000 new FMCG products were launched onto the market during...

IN BRIEF: Shoppers becoming more food-aware.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... UK consumers are more aware of the food they are eating than in the past, according to a small customer survey by retail display group ZBD. The group says 77 per cent are more conscious of fat content, while 79 per cent are worried about...

IN BRIEF: New departures for Hot Diamonds.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Jewellery manufacturer Historic Originals plans to introduce modular P- O-P units, designed by ID*A, for its Hot Diamonds brand to airport stores. The brand rolled out a set of similar displays in conventional stores during 2006. ...

IN BRIEF: Coinstar brings change to Morrisons.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... All branches of Morrisons supermarkets are being fitted with Coinstar machines, which issue a voucher for loose change inserted. The voucher can be exchanged for goods or cash. A rollout of the machines started late last year. ...

IN BRIEF: Retailers pay up - more or less.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Some 58 per cent of retailers gave employees a pay rise last year, according to the Barclaycard Business Retail in Detail Survey. An increase of more than 5 per cent was given to 42 per cent of staff, says the report. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Worldwide web-travel from Woolies.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Woolworths has launched a travel website offering discounts of up to 60 per cent on holidays, flights and hotels. The retailer has teamed up with travel specialist PPA group to offer the online deals. Copyright: Centaur Communications...

IN BRIEF: Weetabix brings Disney to breakfast.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... The Weetabix Food Company is aiming to appeal to children with the launch of two new breakfast cereal products featuring Disney cartoon characters. Star Force, featuring Power Rangers, and Princess Stars, featuring Disney Princess, will use a...

IN BRIEF: Asda competition gives locals extra sport.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Coca Cola-owned sports drink Powerade has launched a campaign in Asda stores to promote local sport. The 'Support for Sport Campaign' will give five customers the chance to win #1,000 worth of equipment for local clubs or schools. ...

ANALYSIS: How green was my trolley?(Marks and Spencer PLC, Tesco PLC plan to cut carbon footprint and turn green)
February 9, 2007... As two of the biggest UK retailers compete the become the jolly green giants of the high street, are the public ready to follow their lead, asks Matthew Valentine Blue chip retailers are rushing to turn green, as environmental concerns...

LEADER: Greening up their act.(Marks and Spencer PLC and Tesco PLC)
February 9, 2007... Some of the UK's leading retailers have pulled off a real coup over the last couple of weeks, judging the public mood to a tee to launch initiatives that should garner them real support from shoppers - and might possibly help save the...

SCREEN TALK: Independent statement.(Travel narrative)
February 9, 2007... A research trip to Sweden convinced Deepak Patel to install a screen network in the Budgens stores he owns, and he's firmly convinced of the benefits In-store digital screens are about making a statement. It's about creating a point of...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: India to get new fashion stores.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Arvind Brands, one of the world's largest manufacturers of denim, has appointed London design group JHP to design a new store concept for Excalibur, its lifestyle fashion store. The 60-strong Indian retailer has plans to open a further 40...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Dunhill spreads wings far and wide.
February 9, 2007... Fashion brand Alfred Dunhill has appointed shopfitter UNO Group to roll out a selection of UK and international stores. The project includes sites in France, Switzerland, Russia and Ukraine. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Hypercity wins design plaudit.
February 9, 2007... The design for Indian Supermarket Hypercity, by UK consultancy JHP, has won the Supermarket Design Award at the VM&SD Store Design of the Year ceremony in New York. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Dawn of a new dynasty for Tesco.
February 9, 2007... The first Chinese store to trade under the Tesco brand name as opened in Beijing. The retailer already holds a stake in stores trading under the Le Gou chain, which translates as Happy Shopping. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd....

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Duffer aims to be big in Japan.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Fashion chain The Duffer of St George is moving into the Japanese market in association with Itochu Corporation, which holds a licence for the brand. The company has commissioned London design group Dalziel & Pow to develop a store format -...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Dutch retailers like The Greenery.
February 9, 2007... Netherlands fruit and vegetable grower and importer The Greenery, which supplies a range of produce to UK stores and wholesalers, has won an award for its relationship with supermarkets. Dutch retailers voted it the best producer to work...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Retail on the up in Lithuania.
February 9, 2007... Year-on-year retail sales in Lithuania grew by 14.1 per cent last year, to 26.79bn litas (Euro 7.76bn) according to government figures. Non- food retailers saw a 7.6 per cent increase in turnover. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd....

DISPLAY OF THE MONTH: Surf central.(Quiksilver Inc.)
February 9, 2007... You might not catch a wave in Covent Garden says Mark Southgate, but the breakers beckon at Quicksilver The surf memorabilia in the window and in-store attracts Mark Southgate, co-owner of East Coast Surf in Norwich, to the Quicksilver...

CITY TALK: Whither next?(chief executive Simon Wolfson)
February 9, 2007... Simon Wolfson, chief executive of Next, is not the sort to get excited. The bespectacled and impossibly youthful looking Wolfson may look a bit like Harry Potter, but the 39-year-old is one of the most serious- minded retailers on the High...

CITY NEWS: Dixons owner DSG doing well.(Simon Wolfson of Next)(DSG Retail Ltd. sees sales growth)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Chief executive Simon Wolfson's diet of tough decisions may be necessary but not sufficient to put the sparkle back into a sluggish Next, says Lauren Mills, retail correspondent at the Mail on Sunday DSG, the parent company of the Dixons...

CITY NEWS: Caution is king at Debenhams.(4 percent decline in sales)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Like-for-like UK sales at department store group Debenhams fell by 4 per cent in the 19 weeks to January, compared to the same period a year ago. Total group sales were up by 6.3 per cent. "The market remains challenging and we are...

CITY NEWS: Woolies welcomes multi-channel message.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... The six weeks to 13 January saw like-for-like sales at Woolworths decrease by 4.6 per cent, compared to the same period the previous year. Multi-channel sales over the period grew by 204 per cent, marking what the retailer says is a "very...

CITY NEWS: Organic growth works well at Tesco.
February 9, 2007... Market leading supermarket giant Tesco saw record sales over the Christmas period. Like-for-like sales excluding petrol rose by 5.9 per cent in the six weeks to 6 January. Sales of organic foods saw a particular boost, growing by 39 per cent....

CITY NEWS: Rumours of Argos voyage to India.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Argos will neither confirm nor deny reports that it is about to sign a deal which will see the retailer open stores in India. A spokesman for the chain says, "Argos is constantly looking for opportunities abroad, but we have nothing to...

CITY NEWS: Street wise move for John Lewis.
February 9, 2007... The John Lewis Partnership has appointed Andy Street as managing director. He has been a member of the retailer's board for four years and is currently director of personnel. Previous managing director Charlie Mayfield is taking on the...

CITY NEWS: Verdict warns against complacency.(retail sales)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Overall retail sales growth in the fourth quarter of 2006 was ahead of the same period in 2005 despite gloomy predictions, according to research group Verdict. However, the group warns that retailers must learn lessons about market changes,...

PROFILE - BEN HART, EVANS CYCLES: The wheel thing.(Interview)
February 9, 2007... With a mission to get the nation into the saddle, marketing manager Ben Hart tells Jo Roberts why Evans Cycles is much more than just a chain store pedalling pushbikes to the people While much of the country reels at the increasing cost...

MULTI-CHANNEL RETAILING: Cross-channel connections.(online shopping )
February 9, 2007... The industry may still be undecided on whether online and bricks-and- mortar retailers can live without each other, says Jo Roberts, but ultimately the customer will have the final word Online sales have rocketed in the last year,...

Digital retail media.
February 9, 2007... Realism seems to have replaced hysteria in the retail digital media sector, with steady growth now predicted - in stark contrast to the earth-shattering changes promised just a few years ago. Realism seems to have replaced hysteria in the...

DIGITAL RETAIL MEDIA: 3m glass film improves image.(3M U.K. Holdings PLC)(Vikuiti Rear Projection Film)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... 3M UK has exhibited its Vikuiti Rear Projection Film at this year's Screen Expo event in London's Earls Court. The film is designed for glass and window applications, in conjunction with 3M Digital Signage Software. It can transform a...

DIGITAL RETAIL MEDIA: Slim screen a good sign from Vitze.(Vitze Digital Signage Board)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... The Vitze Digital Signage Board is the latest in public display technology from PSCo. Made from high resolution TFT-LCD panels, it has a slim profile to take up the minimum amount of space. The unit is capable of displaying...

DIGITAL RETAIL MEDIA: OM has it covered.
February 9, 2007... OM Interactive has unveiled its latest Retail-Tainment products. The Omi-Vista system is an interactive video projection system, which can project on walls or floors, and which be interacted with by consumers. Brand or product images can...

DIGITAL RETAIL MEDIA: Onelan launches latest software.(V5 software)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Digital signage player supplier Onelan is launching its new V5 software, for use in its Net-Top-Boxes, in March. Easier navigation, an improved graphical user interface and simpler uploading of material and schedules have all been...

DIGITAL RETAIL MEDIA: Flash screens from Fairfield.(Fairfield Displays and Lighting)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Digital screens that run from flash cards or memory sticks have been unveiled by Fairfield Displays and Lighting. Running without the need for a computer, files are stored on flash cards with a capacity of up to 4MB. The units are...

INSTALLATION: Fit for purpose.
February 9, 2007... Rapidly changing technology and a greater understanding of how customers relate to in-store marketing means clients are demanding more of P-O-P installation companies, says Jo Roberts Well thought out P-O-P can enhance brand awareness and...

PRODUCT NEWS: Ecorigid tames trolleys.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Boston Retail Products has launched its Ecorigid impact protection system in the UK. Designed to protect shop fixtures from trolley damage, the system is 100 per cent PVC-free. The product is made of PolyBostylene, a non-PVC polymer...

Reader takes a swipe at queues.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Ingenico, a manufacturer specialising in providing technology for payment transactions, is launching a range of products to allow cashless 'swipe' payments. The Ingenico 5100 payment terminal will enable retailers to accept payments from...

New glue gun is spot on.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Glue Dots International has just launched its Dot Shot Pro, a handheld dispenser designed to apply its Glue Dots adhesive. The ergonomic dispenser increases the speed at which glue can be applied, speeding up its use in P-O-P displays,...

Green air in Shorts supply.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Yorkshire company Shorts Environmental has been appointed as the UK's national distributor of gas-fired air-cooled chillers and heat pumps made by Italian manufacturer Robur. The units are, it is claimed, less environmentally harmful...

Eye on design: Equa.(clothing store for women and kids)(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Another first. Equa was the first ethical clothing store in London, opening just 18 months ago. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, the founder was fed-up with not being able to find well-designed ethical clothing, that she could try on,...

Eye on design: Planet Organic.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... Can you believe Planet Organic has been with us for 14 years? In that time the company has done a lot to set the standards for the industry and has been justifiably copied by both the big and the small - it was the first certified organic...

Eye on design: Just Natural.(Brief article)
February 9, 2007... If a good school can significantly raise the property values of an area, then this store is good enough to make Crouch End the new Westbourne Grove. What a find. This small family-run business has been there for eight years, beautifully...