Projects: The Source Opens Its First Experiential Format Store July 7, 2015 by Dave Haynes Canadian gadget retailer The Source – once known as Radio Shack up here – has opened its first experiential format store in an ongoing effort to “reinvent” the brand and shopping experience. The store is at Toronto’s Yorkdale Mall – arguably the ritziest mall in Canada and where most retailers have flagships, if they have flagship locations. …
STRATACACHE Buys IZ-ON Media & Big Retail Footprint July 1, 2015 by Dave Haynes STRATACACHE has acquired IZ-ON Media, the company formerly and arguably better known as PRN, picking it up in a cash deal with its French owners Technicolor. The deal gives the Dayton, Ohio company – which is evolving into a lot more than a software CMS firm – a big footprint in many of the top retailers in …
How Digital Menu Boards Can Help You June 30, 2015 by Debbie DeWitt Guest Post: Freddie Laker, Kairos Stand at the counter in any fast food restaurant or cafe. Somewhere up in front of you there will be a menu displayed. In some places, it might be very amateurish, maybe even handwritten. More often, there will be sign-written boards. Usually these are drab, tedious, and functional. They list what …
Robots and holograms? Are US retailers losing focus? June 26, 2015 by Brandon Harp Guest Post – Emily Carroll, Prendi With the evolution of technological innovations, consumers are becoming increasingly connected and informed, with high expectations of the retail experience. As this continues to evolve, retailers must recognize the shifting role of the brick-and-mortar store. No longer is the brick-and-mortar store enough on it’s own, nor is online. Retailers need to …
QSRs, Digital Signage And The Internet Of Everything June 22, 2015 by ElenaLathrop Guest Post: Ron Gazzola, Samsung Putting the quick in Quick Service Restaurants, or QSRs, has owed a lot to the sensors and systems that are now the basis of what’s being called the Internet of Things. To get an order to a customer, without customer lines backing up, takes automation and smart devices that are driving …
Postar App Drives Digital Signs Via iPads And Chromecasts June 20, 2015 by Dave Haynes A little UK start-up has launched Postar, an iPad app that allows small business owners to build a simple digital sign message on the tablet and then run it on larger screens using $39 Chromecast HDMI sticks. Postar says it is focused on micro business operators, like indie coffee shops and boutiques. Users download the app for free off …
Projects: A Movie And A Craft Beer June 15, 2015 by Dave Haynes Flix Brewhouse is an interesting movie theater chain in that it pairs the big screen with the tall glass – the latter used for the output of the micro brewery that Flix runs onsite. Yes, you can sip a craft beers and watch a flick in a theatre. This is second only in awesomeness to …
Projects: YCD, Intel, NEC Team Up With Coke On Cinema Offer June 11, 2015 by Dave Haynes Companies like Christie and Barco have business units and focused efforts going after the cinema lobby business, as do a few software companies, but a consortium is getting help from Coca-Cola to market its blended solution. The global soda brand is working with YCD Multimedia, NEC, Intel and Littlebit Technology on what a signage and experiential offer …
Paper: How Digital Signage And IoT Plug Into Retail June 8, 2015 by Dave Haynes NY-based ComQi has posted a solid, deep look at how digital signage intersects with Internet of Things devices and data in retail sites. There are huge efficiencies to be gained when devices and data can collect, present and use real-time information in meaningful, actionable ways,” says the position paper. “Retailers grow more nimble because the …
Retail Innovation Workspace And Lab Opens In SF Mall June 1, 2015 by Dave Haynes What would be a really good environment to test and tweak retail technologies, and get them in front of major retailers and brands? How about a major mall in a tech hotbed, in a city few people groan about having to visit for a business trip? That’s at least part of the idea of a …
