In-Store articles from October 2005

In-Store archives from October 2005

Supermarkets expand self-service checkouts.(Tesco PLC. and ASDA Group PLC.)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Tesco and Asda, the UK's two leading supermarkets, are extending the use of self-checkout technology. Tesco has converted 60 per cent of the checkouts at Tesco Metro in Cheapside, London to 12 self-service NCR FastLane units, and says...

Post Office debuts vouchers.(in conjunction with The Gift Voucher Shop )(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... The Post Office has teamed up with Irish incentives company The Gift Voucher Shop to launch a range of vouchers that can be redeemed in popular UK retailers. It hopes the product will eventually be worth #0.5bn a year in sales. ...

Department store concessions.(Elemis retail presence)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Spa brand Elemis has established a retail presence with its first department store concessions. The concept will roll out in four Harvey Nichols stores as well as Debenhams on Oxford Street. Design by Michael Sheridan & Company presents...

North Face store.(opened european store)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Outdoor and adventure retailer The North Face has opened its largest European store in Manchester's Deansgate. The two-storey, 500 sq m store, designed with Italian agency Brombini & Saccardo, uses larch wood, glazed steel and backlit...

GlaxoSmithKline airs in-store radio contract.
October 7, 2005... GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare has signed a two-year contract to promote its products on Immedia's Lloydspharmacy Live radio station. "Lloydspharmacy Live is a valuable media source that has clear benefits for customers, pharmacy...

Casio revamps shop.
October 7, 2005... Casio has relaunched its flagship store on London's Carnaby Street with design by Brinkworth, placing all its ranges under one roof. The redesign aims to create an aspirational environment that will increase consumer awareness of the...

HMV and Virgin go head to head in digital market.(introduced digital download services)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... HMV and Virgin, the two biggest names in high street music sales, both launched digital download services at the start of September. Although the services will allow music fans to buy tunes online, they are promoted heavily in-store....

First standalone London store.(Coast)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Womenswear brand Coast has opened its first standalone London store on Regent Street, with design by Household. The store has been designed to make customers feel relaxed and pampered, placing occasionwear in a luxurious setting that...

Boots offers free STD tests.(over-the-counter testing kits for Sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Boots The Chemist, in conjunction with the Department of Health, is to provide free over-the-counter testing kits for sexually transmitted disease (STD) chlamydia. The pilot scheme, which begins next month, will run for two years in...

Archers brand experience.(Diageo PLC. selected CPM Events for marketing Archers Vea)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Diageo, producer of Archers Schnapps, has appointed CPM Events to supply live brand experience marketing for its new reduced-sugar variant Archers Vea. Branded pick-up trucks incorporating water features and special effects will appear at...

New Look windows style up customers.(introduced interactive technology)(window shopping)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... New Look has launched interactive technology in the windows of three of its key stores, allowing passers-by to see themselves dressed in the fashion retailer's collections. Ultimate Window Shopping, by design company Odd, transposes...

Poor competition keeps store card charges high.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Consumers are being overcharged by as much as #100m per year due to over-inflated and uncompetitive store card charges, according to the provisional findings of a Competition Commission (CC) report. Average annual percentage rates (APRs)...

Bangers gain social status.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Sausages are moving upmarket, with a 23 per cent increase in market value since 2000 compared with a 17 per cent volume increase, according to a report from research group Mintel. "Although not an obvious food to have benefited from an...

Shopping mall.(Capital Shopping Centres mail)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... The opening of a #275m Capital Shopping Centres mail, Chapelfield, has raised the profile of Norwich as a retail destination. Built on the site of a former chocolate factory, the 50,000 sq m centre is the largest retail scheme to launch in...

Topman launches new store format.
October 7, 2005... Topman has announced the development of its Evolution stores. The strategy employs a high-end interior, created by Tom Dixon and Zebra Design. The format will expand into stores in existing markets and launch in new stores throughout 2005 and...

Canary Wharf to roll out wireless.(The Cloud)(wireless fidelity)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Canary Wharf Group has announced the deployment of WiFi technology throughout Canary Wharf's 97-acre estate, making it one of the biggest public areas in the UK to introduce wireless access. The deployment, in association with service...

Calmia range makes Boots debut.
October 7, 2005... Wellbeing brand Calmia has launched a range of products, called Karmatherapy, to be sold in Boots stores. Free from mineral oils, artificial colour and fragrance, the range, which includes body lotions and bath oils, contains high...

Sony gets the kids' vote.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... A third of children think Sony is the 'best brand', according to research into branding by Vox Pops International. Out of just over 100 respondents, 33 per cent placed the Japanese electronics giant top, followed by Apple (18 per cent) and...

Kingfisher closes door on B&Q outlets.
October 7, 2005... DIY retailer B&Q is to shut 22 stores and reduce the size of a further 16 as part of a radical #200m restructure. Owner Kingfisher is planning to 'cut costs, stimulate sales and reposition the business' after like- for-like sales fell by 7...

Marketplace Merchandising.
October 7, 2005... Incorrect details were published for Marketplace Merchandising in last month's Shortlist Showcase on page 26 of In-Store. The company is a full-service P-O-P consultancy based in Surrey, and can design, engineer, project-manage and install...

NEWS ANALYSIS: Recipe for recovery?
October 7, 2005... Take one celebrity chef, a new slogan and a batch of tasty recipe ideas, blend, and wait for customer spending to rise. Will Cooper reports on the latest Sainsbury's rebrand Last month Sainsbury's launched its multi-million pound...

Market share among supermarkets.
October 7, 2005... In September, Tesco cemented its position as the UK's leading supermarket retailer by announcing a pre-tax profit rise of 18.7 per cent to #908m for the 24 weeks to 13 August. UK sales were up 11.1 per cent to #14.6bn, with like-for-like...

LEADER: Be part of the P-O-P information exchange.
October 7, 2005... It's that time again. The In-Store P-O-P League Table is back and we need your help. Every year, we survey P-O-P clients to see what they think of the quality, price and service they get from their suppliers, and all our readers benefit...

SCREEN TALK: THE HOLIDAY STARTS HERE.
October 7, 2005... Jonathan Smith, head of marketing for stores at Thomas Cook, explains why screens can enhance the holiday experience before a customer even enters a store Thomas Cook is the world's best-known name in travel. Expertise and travel...

French birds are hot stuff.(Arrive S.A.)(B and H Colour Change)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... French poultry producer Arrive is distributing free in-pack Cook Check Sensors, supplied by UK group B&H Colour Change, as part of a promotion launched late last month. The sensors are inserted into the chickens while cooking and turn red...

Habitat updates Dublin portfolio.
October 7, 2005... Habitat has opened a new store in Dublin, designed by architect group Douglas Wallace in conjunction with Mellett Architects. The store, which replaces a smaller Dublin branch, is housed in the former 18th century banking hall of the Bank...

Sony cuts jobs amid loss expectations.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Sony is to cut 10,000 jobs worldwide as part of a major restructuring plan to improve profitability. As well as the job cuts, which represent seven per cent of the company's entire staff, Sony will reduce costs by Yen200bn (#990m). The...

Wal-Mart takes on central role.(acquired stakes of Central American Retail Holding Co.)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, is to expand its operations into central America for the first time. The company has bought a one- third stake in the Central American Retail Holding Company, which has a portfolio of 383 supermarkets...

Daiei rethinks grocery portfolio.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Opening its first compact store in November, Japanese grocery retailer Daiei is rationalising its property portfolio. Fifty-three stores are to close, and 100 new-format, food-oriented supermarkets will open over the next five years. Key...

Lidl goes Danish for Christmas.
October 7, 2005... German discount supermarket retailer Lidl & Schwarz is to enter the Danish market this autumn. It is expected to open about 25 stores by Christmas. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Topshop opens New York concession.
October 7, 2005... Topshop has launched in New York, selling its Unique capsule collection through fashionable boutique Opening Ceremony. The Unique line is in its 10th season, with items priced from #45 to #250. Topman's design range will also feature. ...

DISPLAY OF THE MONTH: Deep impact.(Topshop's window displays)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Topshop's daring attitude gives its windows the 'wow' factor, says The Pier's Andrew Moore Topshop is the only shop that immediately impresses Andrew Moore, visual development manager for the south-east area at The Pier. "Topshop is...

CITY TALK: IS TESCO'S TIDE TURNING?(growth of supermarket)
October 7, 2005... Rising oil costs, consumer sensibilities and an impending enquiry might just knock the jewel out of Tesco's crown, says Lauren Mills, business writer at the Daily Mail Times are tough on Britain's high streets but nobody seems to have...

MFI reports sagging sales.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Furniture specialist MFI has said it has experienced 'a deteriorating market' in the second half of the year. A trading update released last month showed that UK in-store sales were down by 15 per cent. However, the company's Howden...

Esprit announces record year.
October 7, 2005... Fashion retailer Esprit, based in Hong Kong, has reported a record turnover of HK$20bn (#1.46bn), an increase of 26 per cent on the previous year, for the 12 months to 30 June 2005. The retailer's net profit margin rose to 16.2 per cent. ...

Zara parent sets trend for profit.
October 7, 2005... Spanish fashion retailer Inditex SA, which owns successful high street brands such as Zara and Massimo Dutti, has announced a first-half profit rise of 28 per cent to E246m (#167m). Inditex has a target of 4,000 stores across the world by...

John Lewis experiences fall.(John Lewis Partnership PLC.)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... The John Lewis department store group has announced a 3 per cent fall in half-year profits to #78m to the end of July. The retailer, which owns 27 John Lewis department stores, has a 50 per cent expansion in space planned over the next 10...

Liberty benefits from point of difference.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... High-end department store Liberty has announced an 11 per cent rise in sales in the year to June 2005. Sales before tax were #44m. "People are tired of the ubiquity and conformity on the high street," says Liberty chief executive Iain...

Primark moves in on Littlewoods sites.(acquiring Littlewoods stores)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Discount fashion retailer Primark has announced a plan to increase selling space by 50 per cent. The space comes from a deal to buy 120 Littlewoods stores, negotiated by Primark's parent company Associated British Foods in July. AB Foods...

Woolworths losses continue.(Woolworths Group PLC.)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Variety retailer Woolworths has seen losses increase by #3m to #35.9m in the 26 weeks to 30 July, compared with the same period last year. Like-for-like sales in main chain stores dropped by 4 per cent during the period. A store upgrade...

PROFILE - KEN DALY, JML: Daly deliveries.
October 7, 2005... JML sales and marketing manager Ken Daly tells Maeve Hosea why the brand's quirky products are flying high despite a depressed retailing economy Slimming underwear and indestructible fountain pens are bestsellers at household goods and...

MARKET REPORT: Early doors.(Licensing Act 2003 liquor law)(effect on pubs, liquor stores)
October 7, 2005... Changes to alcohol licensing laws carry as much impact for retailers as for pubs and bars. But are grocers and the off-trade industry welcoming the new flexibility in opening hours? Will Cooper investigates On 24 November, one of the...

Key points of the Licensing Act 2003.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... * Flexible opening hours for premises, offering them the potential for up to 24-hour opening, seven days a week, subject to consideration of the impact on local residents, businesses and the expert opinion of a range of authorities in...

SPECIAL REPORT: The tills are alive.(in-stores are using music to enhance ambience and to attract customers)
October 7, 2005... For high street and more exclusive retailers alike, the right in-store music is as important as the product mix. Maeve Hosea reports An in-store soundscape of funky tunes is as normal now as it was unusual 20 years ago. Almost all...

SPECIAL REPORT: Stress management.(The Ideal Group)
October 7, 2005... How do shopfitters cope with a daily diet of compressed schedules and the various demands of retailers and designers, not to mention a strict set of health and safety regulations? Will Cooper finds out Retailers pay through the nose for...

POPAI looks at food promotion.(Point-of-Purchase Advertising Institute)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Through its membership of the Advertising Association, POPAI stays up to date with the Department of Health's Forum on Food and Drink Promotion and Advertising. The forum has been set up as a result of the Health White Paper. Its...

Displays are living in a material world.(Nimlok Co. introduced Wave Fabric Display )(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Nimlok has rolled out two portable, lightweight fabric displays, the Wave Fabric Display and the Compact Magnet. The Wave Fabric Display encompasses a 3m tall tubular aluminium frame, over which a high-resolution fabric graphic can be...

Newton lifts the tone in packaging industry.(Torros )(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Lifting specialist Torros has modified its Newton range to suit a number of applications for the packaging industry. The lightweight machine weighs just 50kg, with a base size of 500mm x 875mm, and uses a 24v motor with a fast-charge...

Star printer.(Star Micronics America Inc.)(TSP100 futurePRNT thermal receipt printer)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Star Micronics has launched the TSP100 futurePRNT thermal receipt printer, capable of delivering 25 receipts per minute at 203dpi print resolution, regardless of the font or the graphic complexity of the document. With a USB 2.0 interface, it...

Success hinges on pin system.(Emka Inc. quick-fixing pin-system hinge)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Emka has released a quick-fixing pin-system hinge. The 1110 Programme is a 50mm zinc die unit with a matt black coat, with one-step fixing for quick installation. The cut-out profile minimises the amount of material removed from the...

Marketing to the over-50s.(Kogan Page launched The 50)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... Kogan Page has launched a marketing and branding strategy title, The 50 Plus Market. Author Dick Stroud explores how marketers are dealing with the 'ageing' consumer base in Europe. The book uses first-hand research to prove that...

Eye on design: John Lewis.(John Lewis Partnership PLC.)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... This has a typical department store feel and, in true John Lewis style, minimal signage with departments blending into each other. Within the carpeting area, the back wall serves as an instant visual beacon, devoted to representing the...

Eye on design: Allied Carpets.(warehouse)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... This store sits in a just out-of-town retail park, right next to Carpetright in an identical warehouse unit. Each unit has its own double doors, with 6-9m of floor-to-ceiling window space alongside. Both are missing a trick by covering this...

Eye on design: Carpetright.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2005... This is a very similar product to Allied. However, the message is simply 'pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap', and gives an unjustified, inferior feel. The strip lighting does the environment no favours, while skywards-reaching rolls of carpet...