Trends, Strategy & News for Today's Imaging/Mobile Retailer
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June 3, 2009 From News
Despite the slowdown in retail sales in the U.S. several big box retailers have recently opened smaller concept stores in select cities around the country.
February 4, 2009 From News
Hunker down, adopt a bunker mentality, hoard cash and control expenses…that was the advice for retailers at the National Retail Federation’s 98th annual convention and expo held back in January in New York.
Turning Portraits into Possibilities
October 2008 From News
In the established world of portrait photography, the move toward digital has at times been a rocky one. Although digital cameras have quickly replaced traditional cameras as the tool of choice for professionals; meeting the consumer’s desire to share those photos on the Internet has for the most part, been met with some resistance. Much like the record labels of the 90s resisted the move from CDs to digital downloads; studios have been cautious to parlay their print business into an ever changing, and often misunderstood world of online digital media-sharing. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that in the end, the
October 2008 From News
In the established world of portrait photography, the move toward digital has at times been a rocky one. Although digital cameras have quickly replaced traditional cameras as the tool of choice for professionals; meeting the consumer’s desire to share those photos on the Internet has for the most part, been met with some resistance. Much like the record labels of the 90s resisted the move from CDs to digital downloads; studios have been cautious to parlay their print business into an ever changing, and often misunderstood world of online digital media-sharing. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that in the end, the
The World Watching Warily: Electronics Manufacturers Try to Gauge U.S. Consumption
October 2008 From News
What sells best in lean times? Will the confidence of U.S. shoppers rebound along with the stock market? What’s the likeliest gadget demand scenerio for 2009? In uncertain economic times, attendees at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), the world’s second largest consumer electronics show, spent the last week grappling with questions about how the tech sector may fare over the next few weeks and years. Though 2610 exhibitors were still manning bright, blinking, flower-festooned booths in a business-as-usual fashion at the show, which ran from October 13-16th at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, many admitted they were
October 2008 From News
What sells best in lean times? Will the confidence of U.S. shoppers rebound along with the stock market? What’s the likeliest gadget demand scenerio for 2009? In uncertain economic times, attendees at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), the world’s second largest consumer electronics show, spent the last week grappling with questions about how the tech sector may fare over the next few weeks and years. Though 2610 exhibitors were still manning bright, blinking, flower-festooned booths in a business-as-usual fashion at the show, which ran from October 13-16th at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, many admitted they were
October 2008 From News
While it might seem the last thing retailers would want to do during an economic downturn is to teach customers how to cut costs, but that’s exactly what a handful of clever retailers are doing. Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Stop & Shop are among several retailers that have begun offering classes and other programs that teach customers how to cut costs during the economic downturn. The general idea here is that the lessons on spending less will boost customer loyalty over the long haul. Examples of this in-store focus on thriftyness comes from Stop & Shop’s “affordable food summits” where consumers are taught
Consumer Printing Habits: The Big Shift is On
October 2008 From Picture Business
The time has finally come when average consumers, on some levels, are behaving like professional photographers (shooting more, printing only what’s good), which, as we all know, has hurt the traditional 4x6” print business. But all is not lost as consumers are finding new and creative ways to view and share their pictures. According to Steve Giordano, Jr., President, Lucidiom, “There’s been a shift in what people do with their images. Used to be, you had to print all your pictures because you had no other way to see them.” Now, he notes, thanks to digital imaging, consumers are taking more pictures, but they’re
October 2008 From Picture Business
The time has finally come when average consumers, on some levels, are behaving like professional photographers (shooting more, printing only what’s good), which, as we all know, has hurt the traditional 4x6” print business. But all is not lost as consumers are finding new and creative ways to view and share their pictures. According to Steve Giordano, Jr., President, Lucidiom, “There’s been a shift in what people do with their images. Used to be, you had to print all your pictures because you had no other way to see them.” Now, he notes, thanks to digital imaging, consumers are taking more pictures, but they’re
September 2008 From News
Not unlike many national retail chains that have had to reinvent themselves in an effort to rise above this difficult economy in 2008, Borders recently opened its first concept store in Allen, Texas. The new store is big on interactive features as well as imaging/electronics fun and games. However, the chains’ zone vice president, Bill Christensen was recently quoted as saying, “We’re not trying to be Best Buy. But this isn’t just a bookstore. Eighteen months ago, we started researching with our customers what else we could be.” Apparently the answer back was, just about anything. The two-level location is now broken
CE Sales Lift Walmart
August 2008 From News
Walmart posted 5.8 percent jump in same-store sales for June- growth the company attributed to strong sales of consumer electronics, Reuters reported this week. The jump, which the company’s executive in charge of home entertainment attributed to strong demand for TVs, gaming consoles and other items, came despite the weak economy, as well as struggles by both major CE retailers and discount stores such as Costco and BJ’s. The executive, Gary Severson, also said Walmart has seen no move towards lower price points for electronics, when it comes to consumer demand. What do you think of Walmart’s quarter? Talk about it in the
August 2008 From News
Walmart posted 5.8 percent jump in same-store sales for June- growth the company attributed to strong sales of consumer electronics, Reuters reported this week. The jump, which the company’s executive in charge of home entertainment attributed to strong demand for TVs, gaming consoles and other items, came despite the weak economy, as well as struggles by both major CE retailers and discount stores such as Costco and BJ’s. The executive, Gary Severson, also said Walmart has seen no move towards lower price points for electronics, when it comes to consumer demand. What do you think of Walmart’s quarter? Talk about it in the
A Holly, Jolly Holiday Season?
August 2008 From Picture Business
With soaring gas and food prices, many consumers have to cut back in order to make ends meet. Will they forgo the family vacation or take one closer to home? Will they eat out less and brown bag it more? But more importantly, will they skimp on holiday spending, and if so, which retailers will suffer most? Although the state of the economy is definitely a downer, the upcoming holiday season may not be. “Obviously,” states Jason Goldberg, VP marketing, MTI, a provider of merchandising solutions for CE/Imaging retailers, “we’re not in a very good economic climate, but consumer electronics in general has weathered
August 2008 From Picture Business
With soaring gas and food prices, many consumers have to cut back in order to make ends meet. Will they forgo the family vacation or take one closer to home? Will they eat out less and brown bag it more? But more importantly, will they skimp on holiday spending, and if so, which retailers will suffer most? Although the state of the economy is definitely a downer, the upcoming holiday season may not be. “Obviously,” states Jason Goldberg, VP marketing, MTI, a provider of merchandising solutions for CE/Imaging retailers, “we’re not in a very good economic climate, but consumer electronics in general has weathered
Sam’s Club Hires Geeks in Potomac
July 2008 From News
Not only is Walmart starting a pilot program for a Geek Squad of its own, but the Walmart-owned Sam’s Club chain is doing the same thing in the Washington, DC area. According to CNET.com’s Crave blog, Sam’s Club, with the help of a local company called Geeks on Call, will be launching the service at 20 stores in Maryland and Virginia. A company spokesman told CNET that the pilot project will last three months, and that “similar pilots” are underway elsewhere in the country. Walmart and Dell announced last week that they are teaming up on a project, in the Dallas area,
July 2008 From News
Not only is Walmart starting a pilot program for a Geek Squad of its own, but the Walmart-owned Sam’s Club chain is doing the same thing in the Washington, DC area. According to CNET.com’s Crave blog, Sam’s Club, with the help of a local company called Geeks on Call, will be launching the service at 20 stores in Maryland and Virginia. A company spokesman told CNET that the pilot project will last three months, and that “similar pilots” are underway elsewhere in the country. Walmart and Dell announced last week that they are teaming up on a project, in the Dallas area,
Walmart, Dell, Team Up on Tech Services
July 2008 From News
Walmart is planning to go ahead with its plan to offer installation and tech help services, along the lines of Best Buy’s Geek Squad and Circuit City’s firedog. It’s called Solution Station, and they’re doing it with an unexpected partner- Dell. According to the Wall Street Journal, the retail giant and the computer maker have agreed to test the concept in 15 Walmart stores in the Dallas area, in a program that will roll out this week. The two companies will “evaluate the concept” in a few months, Dell executives told the Journal. Do you think this service will be a success?
July 2008 From News
Walmart is planning to go ahead with its plan to offer installation and tech help services, along the lines of Best Buy’s Geek Squad and Circuit City’s firedog. It’s called Solution Station, and they’re doing it with an unexpected partner- Dell. According to the Wall Street Journal, the retail giant and the computer maker have agreed to test the concept in 15 Walmart stores in the Dallas area, in a program that will roll out this week. The two companies will “evaluate the concept” in a few months, Dell executives told the Journal. Do you think this service will be a success?
July 2008 From News
Wal*Mart is giving consideration to adding an electronics support and services arm to compete with Best Buy’s Geek Squad and Circuit City’s firedog. That’s according to a report this week on Marketwatch.com, citing comments from a top executive. Wal*Mart senior vice president Gary Severson told the Marketwatch reporter that the company is “looking at different options” in regards to whether the company will expand its electronics operations to include installations, repairs and other services. Do you think a Wal*Mart Geek Squad could work? Talk about it in the Dealerscope forums.
The Customer-Centric Approach
June 2008 From Picture Business
We are now in an era where the marketplace is so cluttered that it is more difficult than ever for any one retailer to stand out from the competition — or even be recognized. As a result, a customer-centric approach is imperative. Most retailers promote as fact that they are customer-centric. Many even believe they are. But, one of the most abused terms in business is customer-centricity. Here are three true examples to illustrate the point: (1) A leading department store branch is busy. In the women’s apparel section, the checkout line is long. In the shoe department (which is not leased), no one
June 2008 From Picture Business
We are now in an era where the marketplace is so cluttered that it is more difficult than ever for any one retailer to stand out from the competition — or even be recognized. As a result, a customer-centric approach is imperative. Most retailers promote as fact that they are customer-centric. Many even believe they are. But, one of the most abused terms in business is customer-centricity. Here are three true examples to illustrate the point: (1) A leading department store branch is busy. In the women’s apparel section, the checkout line is long. In the shoe department (which is not leased), no one
The Customer-Centric Approach: What it Really Means
May 2008 From News
We are now in an era where the marketplace is so cluttered that it is more difficult than ever for any one retailer to stand out from the competition — or even be recognized. As a result, a customer-centric approach is imperative. Most retailers promote as fact that they are customer-centric. Many even believe they are. But, one of the most abused terms in business is customer-centric. Here are three true examples to illustrate the point: (1) A leading department store branch is busy. In the women’s apparel section, the checkout line is long. In the shoe department (which is not leased), no one
May 2008 From News
We are now in an era where the marketplace is so cluttered that it is more difficult than ever for any one retailer to stand out from the competition — or even be recognized. As a result, a customer-centric approach is imperative. Most retailers promote as fact that they are customer-centric. Many even believe they are. But, one of the most abused terms in business is customer-centric. Here are three true examples to illustrate the point: (1) A leading department store branch is busy. In the women’s apparel section, the checkout line is long. In the shoe department (which is not leased), no one
Think Local, and Gang up on the Chains
April 2008 From Picture Business
Beneficial impact local retail can have on local economy can be big advantage In your efforts to go up against the big boys muscling in on your turf, you’ve probably promoted your business expertise on all aspects imaging and the selection of photographic products and services found in your store. But have you talked about the beneficial impact a retail business like yours has on the local economy? Take that initiative, with the other independent retailers in your area and you’ve got a message which will resonate with civic-minded consumers as you go head to head with the big box chains. In fact,
April 2008 From Picture Business
Beneficial impact local retail can have on local economy can be big advantage In your efforts to go up against the big boys muscling in on your turf, you’ve probably promoted your business expertise on all aspects imaging and the selection of photographic products and services found in your store. But have you talked about the beneficial impact a retail business like yours has on the local economy? Take that initiative, with the other independent retailers in your area and you’ve got a message which will resonate with civic-minded consumers as you go head to head with the big box chains. In fact,
