In-Store articles from November 2007

In-Store archives from November 2007

Living room helps Comet customers feel at home.
November 15, 2007... The demand for top-end home entertainment products has led electricals chain Comet to trial a specialist upmarket section in its stores. The Living Room, designed by agency Lloyd Northover is currently being trialled in the Solihull...

Retail theft at ten-year high.
November 15, 2007... The value of goods stolen from stores is at a ten-year high, and violent crime directed at shop staff has dramatically increased according to a retailer survey. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reports in its 2007 Retail Crime Survey,...

Brands get access to Clubcard data.
November 15, 2007... Marketing group Dunnhumby says above-the-line media and in-store campaigns will work more closely together in the future, as it launches a facility that will allow brands unprecedented access to Tesco Clubcard data. A new product,...

Zavvi plans rapid rebrand for "dated" Virgin look.
November 15, 2007... Zavvi - formerly the Virgin Megastore chain - has appointed agency Live & Breathe to revitalise its "dated" retail offer. The marketing agency won the contract after a five-way pitch following a management buyout of Virgin Megastores in...

Neuhaus special edition selection.
November 15, 2007... World-renowned chef Raymond Blanc is one of the connoisseurs responsible for creating an individual chocolate for the "Rain of Stars" gift box. The Belgian chocolatier Neuhaus has launched the special edition selection to celebrate its 150th...

Industry out in force for first POPAI Awards.(point of purchase and and best display marketing gets award)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... The inaugural POPAI UK Awards 2007 saw the overall Display of the Year plaudit shared between design group Checkland Kindleysides and P-O-P specialist Diam UK, for joint work on a Ruby and Millie display for Boots the Chemist. The...

Hull of a party for Gamestation.(celebration on launch of gaming stores)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Enthusiasts queued overnight to witness the opening of the largest gaming store in the north of England. Crowds swelled as Gamestation launched its 400 sq m Hull store with free offers and special deals. The first 20 customers received a...

Capri-Sun gets new look for 2008.
November 15, 2007... Lunchbox favourite Capri-Sun will be running an on-pack promotional campaign next year aimed at children and parents. Distributor Coca-Cola Enterprises has appointed marketing agency BD- NTWK to develop the "squeezy mischief" campaign,...

HMV looks to attract gamers into new areas.
November 15, 2007... HMV has teamed up with Gamerbase.com to create PC multi-player gaming areas in the retailer's larger UK stores. The first, boasting 80 linked PC terminals, will open in the HMV store in the Trocadero Centre in London's Piccadilly Circus....

Cleaning products gain environmental accreditations.(Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd. sales only recycled packaged products)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... A supermarket own-label range of cleaning products has been given two environmental accreditations. Sainsbury's seven-product Cleanhome range features brand and packaging design by Parker Williams Design and has been formulated to be fully...

Wallis Christmas is "now".(launch of advertising campaign)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Womenswear store Wallis has unveiled its Christmas 2007 window, created in-house with visual communication agency Elemental Design. All six UK flagship stores are running the campaign. Rich colours have been used to create a "Luxurious...

Loyalty is cheap, says survey.(retailers must not focus on brand building)(Survey)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Nearly half of consumers will ditch their loyalty to a brand if a competitor is running a compelling promotion, according to new research. A survey of 1,000 shoppers by TNS, for software group Cognos, finds that 48 per cent of shoppers...

P&G shop-in-shop.
November 15, 2007... P&G Prestige Products has opened a shop-in-shop format at landmark London department store Selfridges, to sell luxury fragrance brands in the vital Christmas shopping period. Key brands Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino will be sold from...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Variety is the spice of cider.(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Swedish cider brand Koppaberg has launched two new variants in the UK market, after a successful first year with its core product. A cider with mixed fruit and a non-alcoholic pear cider are now available. See Global Talk p15. Copyright:...

NEWS IN BRIEF: What retailers want for Xmas.(toy industry will get higher sale)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... The Toy Retailers Association has predicted top-selling Christmas toys for 2007. A trend towards interactivity has been highlighted, and toys inspired by big films have also made the list. Barbie dolls for girls and Transformers for boys...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Budgens expands the party line.(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... A convenience chain is launching a dinner party service after the success of a Christmas ordering scheme. Budgens' new service offers 82 product lines including buffet platters and celebration cakes. The food comes ready prepared in serving...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Sainsbury's black pepper is a scream.(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Sainsbury's sold spookily seasonal peppers in selected stores during October. Complete with cutting patterns to give a halloween feel, the peppers included a special black variety sourced from the Netherlands. Copyright: Centaur...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Smirnoff takes off in new direction.(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... The Smirnoff range is being developed for the travel retail market. Design consultancy Portland is working with brand owner Diageo to produce versatile units to display the vodka. The aim is to maintain the heritage of the brand while adding a...

CORRECTION: Return to splendour.(Correction notice)
November 15, 2007... In-Store's visual merchandising special report in September ("Return to splendour", p25) mistakenly attributed an Elemental in-store display for Diesel to Props Studio. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

NEWS IN BRIEF: Primark leads slowing value sector.(clothing sector on slow growth)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... The UK's value clothing sector is seeing a slowing of growth, although it continues to outperform the total clothing market, according to new data from Verdict Research. Primark is responsible for much of the growth, gaining a further 4.1...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Blooming good idea from Homebase.(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Bezier has developed packaging and stands for a new daffodil variety called "Choice", which has been bred by Homebase and registered with the Royal Horticultural Society. Proceeds from sales of the daffodil will benefit Marie Curie Cancer...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Independents pay for better service.(retailers manages to retain employee)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Small independent retailers are paying a premium to attract and retain the best staff, according to a report by the British Shops and Stores Association. "With multiples constantly focusing on cost-cutting, both in-store and through pressure...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Heinz has high hopes for hidden veg.(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Heinz is "smuggling" essential vegetables into children's meals with its new Heinz Hidden Veg range. The tinned pasta products contain carrots, red peppers, parsnips and courgettes, to help parents ensure their offspring get closer to their...

NEWS IN BRIEF: New range from Unilever.(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Unilever is introducing new pack sizes and an anti-bacterial spray product to its Cif cleaning range. A collar promotion and a sampling campaign will promote the new spray as part of a #6m marketing spend. Copyright: Centaur Communications...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Morrisons charity month - a popular wheeze.(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Supermarket retailer Morrisons made donations to Asthma UK throughout October whenever one of 54 featured products were chosen by customers in its stores. Named as the supermarket's charity Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

"Green revolution" now mainstream, says NCC.
November 15, 2007... A green revolution is underway among consumers, according to the National Consumer Council. The NCC says choosing the green option is no longer the preserve of the wealthy, having become a mass-market trend. Mainstream supermarket groups...

Coca cooler is a P-O-P hit.(Coca-Cola Enterprises Europe using refrigeration equipment at Moto service stations )(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Coca Cola has seen sales double at some sites using a new Ice Bell refrigerated merchandising unit. The unit has been in use in Moto service stations since early August. "Early indications are really encouraging, with some Moto sites...

Yoplait takes plunge into mousse.
November 15, 2007... Yoplait is expanding its Petits Filous range of fromage frais products with the addition of the first mousse-based version. The strawberry mousse launched in Sainsbury's in late October, and is intended to grow sales of childrens'...

ANALYSIS: High street musical.
November 15, 2007... JML and Woolworths are combining their talents in the hopes of launching a new brand of music stars, says Jo Roberts, but is there a market? A homecare and beauty brand is hoping to capitalise on the power of multi-channel retailing by...

LETTER: The cart comes first.(Letter to the editor)
November 15, 2007... Caught up in the thrill of measurable online marketing and interactive campaigns, far too few companies are paying any attention to just what happens after the customer arrives on site. The poor experience, failed transactions and abandoned...

LETTER: Clarity breeds confidence.(Letter to the editor)
November 15, 2007... The recall of contaminated lamb by supermarkets across the country yet again raises consumer concerns about the safety of food on supermarket shelves. What the public need to see is action, not words. Shoppers need a practical...

LETTER: Material benefits are close.(Letter to the editor)
November 15, 2007... Green Alliance welcomes the attention given to environmental issues in the October edition of In-Store magazine. Your collection of articles gave a number of mentions to compostable packaging, a good example of a new material introduced...

LETTER: Material benefits could be worth a packet.(Letter to the editor)
November 15, 2007... It's no secret that we at Sharpak take our environmental responsibility very seriously. At our laboratory near Bristol we have a team of experts working in collaboration with environmental organisations to develop recycled materials and trial...

DISPLAY OF THE MONTH: It's a man's world.
November 15, 2007... Perry Ellis Europe's Ben Muis gets his kicks in Liberty menswear The likes of Vivienne Westwood, Prada and Paul Smith adorn the Liberty menswear department. But the little touches make it all the more special according to Ben Muis, head...

CITY TALK: Mum's the word.(Mothercare Ltd.)
November 15, 2007... While many retailers are tightening their belts in an uncertain international financial climate, "go forth and multiply" is the reality at baby-booming Mothercare, says financial journalist Glynn Davis Operating more than 350 stores in 45...

CITY TALK NEWS: Sainsbury's buyer ups bid.
November 15, 2007... A potential buyer for Sainsbury's has agreed to raise an extra #500m raising the offer price to 600 pence per share. The Takeover Panel has given a deadline of 8 November for investment vehicle Delta Two to make a firm offer. Copyright:...

CITY TALK NEWS: Price reductions fuel sales growth.
November 15, 2007... The volume of retail sales rose by 0.6 per cent between August and September, with growth benefitting all retail sectors, according to the Office of National Statistics. Early and widespread discounting was credited for the increase in sales....

CITY TALK NEWS: Mothercare delivers healthy figures.(Mothercare Ltd.)(Early Learning Centre Inc)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Mothercare's recent acquisition of the Early Learning Centre has resulted in positive trading figures. Sales have risen by over a third in the second quarter of the financial year. The retailer has also rapidly expanded overseas, and...

CITY TALK NEWS: HRG continues steady growth.(Home Retail Group high sales)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Home Retail Group, parent of catalogue store Argos and DIY chain Homebase, has seen sales grow by 3 per cent to #2 736.5m. Results for the 26 weeks to 1 September show operating profits up by 50 per cent at the buoyant Argos chain and by 12 per...

CITY TALK NEWS: Sporting failures hurt high street too.(sporting goods industry's demand falls)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... England's recent weekend of sporting misery, losing out on both the Rugby World Cup and the Formula One driver's title, also saw the high street suffer. According to footfall measurement from Experian, there was a 3.7 per cent drop in the...

CITY TALK NEWS: BRC hits out at cashless cash-in.(British Retail Consortium)(retailers faces high fees on swipe cards)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... The drive by card issuers to reduce cash usage has been condemned by the British Retail Consortium as a self-serving attempt to bring in greater revenues from charges. The BRC says customers do not realise the level of processing charges that...

CITY TALK NEWS: Profit fall prompts Blacks dividend cut.
November 15, 2007... Sports and outdoor pursuits specialist Blacks Leisure has cut its dividend after reporting a small first half loss of #0.6m in the 26 weeks to 1 September. The group made a profit of #0.1m for the same period last year. Copyright: Centaur...

PROFILE - JAMES THORNE, COMET: Shooting star.
November 15, 2007... Re-inventing consumer electronics as a customer-friendly retail experience is inspiring James Thorne, general manager for merchandising and store format at Comet, discovers Jo Roberts If one thing could be relied on in the world of retail,...

MARKET REPORT: Stores under pressure.
November 15, 2007... As major brands get hot under the collar about how much retailers give to their product, Maeve Hosea finds that presentation is a two-way street A woman sorts gamely through a table piled high with product: girly pink Reebok trainers...

Design & build focus.
November 15, 2007... Matthew Valentine charts the progress of HMV's ground-up rethink of the modern multimedia retail environment The entertainment retail sector is facing a make or break moment. The delivery of music, movies and games has proved easy to...

DESIGN & BUILD FOCUS: Bottom line is big deal for displaysense.
November 15, 2007... Female mannequins with bigger bottoms have been unveiled by Displaysense, in response to requests from the fashion industry to more accurately represent the size of consumers. The display group says a backlash against "size zero" models is...

DESIGN & BUILD FOCUS: Sun Chemical improves colour proofing.(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Sun Chemical has launched its Smart Colour portfolio of colour management tools for the UK market. The system allows packaging developers to see real colour examples of products anywhere in the workflow, by displaying real ink colour on a...

DESIGN & BUILD FOCUS: INVISIBLE SCREEN FROM WOEHBURK.(Woehburk )(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... German group Woehburk has introduced a new "invisible" projection screen that is as transparent as regular glass, allowing screens to blend seamlessly into retail environments when not in use. Marketed under the CristalLine brand, the...

DESIGN & BUILD FOCUS: NEW RANGE FROM SERVOCELL LOCKING GOOD.(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Servocell, a specialist in access control systems, has introduced its new CL series of self-contained cabinet latch products, with the aim of providing the retail sector with a low-powered, cost-effective, intelligent lock. The range can...

DESIGN & BUILD FOCUS: HONEYWELL AIMS FOR BRIGHT LIGHTS.
November 15, 2007... Security group Honeywell has launched a new camera that allows detailed images from areas that suffer severe backlighting, thanks to a wide dynamic range image management feature. The HCU484X Ultra Wide Dynamic Camera will provide highly...

DESIGN & BUILD FOCUS: Display for all seasons.
November 15, 2007... Technical distributor Trident has introduced the 3.5in TFT LCD display from Toshiba. The model benefits from a replaceable LED backlight. The unit offers a wide viewing angle, and can operate in temperatures from - 20 to +70 degrees...

DESIGN & BUILD FOCUS: Handsome prints from Kodak unit.
November 15, 2007... Small retailers can now offer digital photo printing in-store from a handy countertop unit. Kodak has introduced the Picture Kiosk GS Compact, an entry-level machine suitable for low volume usage. Outlets with this unit can offer 4x6in and...

DESIGN & BUILD FOCUS: Lower cost CAM gives high security.
November 15, 2007... Honeywell has launched a lower-priced dome camera, designed to monitor indoor and outdoor spaces to deter vandals. "Our customers indicated that they wanted a more cost-effective camera to monitor environments around the clock," says...

SPECIAL REPORT: Tills and thrills.
November 15, 2007... As "hands on the brand" takes centre stage in marketing, says Jo Roberts, is the high street becoming the new theatre? From drag queens running up supermarket aisles to a flight simulator getting customers' hearts racing before filling...

Avery shows the weigh.(Avery Berkel information computerised scale )(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... A simple and cost-effective computerised scale has been developed for independent retailers by Avery Berkel. The FX50 can be used indoors or out, using mains or battery power. It has a compact footprint to save counter space and allow...

Frames and fortune.(Eurostand Display launched graphic header frames)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Eurostand Display has launched a new range of graphic header frames, to improve the appearance of folding literature presenters and make them even more noticeable. The new aluminium frames are available in A4 and A3 sizes, and can fix...

Cool idea from Cold Control.(E-Cube)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Accurate temperature control of chilled and frozen foods can be made easier with the E-Cube, a self-contained device designed to be fitted in retail fridge and freezer units. Supplied by air conditioning and refrigeration specialist Cold...

Turntable aims to turn a profit.(British Turntable launches a new PS800LP series )(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Specialist manufacturer British Turntable has introduced a new low- profile display turntable, measuring only 23.5mm in height. The PS800LP series operates at low noise levels, and is intended for the presentation of items such as...

Tough cases harder to crack.(Displaysense designs bullet-proof display case)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Displaysense is working on a range of bullet-proof display cases, designed specifically for retailers who are concerned about the use of firearms in high-street robberies. It is thought the products represent the first "off the shelf"...

EYE ON DESIGN: November 2007.(supermarkets use computer games to attract customers)
November 15, 2007... Adam Curry, creative director of Sense, finds out which of the big retail players are scoring points in the gaming sector Game - Oxford Street This is a completely different ball game from the rest - totally tuned for the more nerdy...