Retail Tidbits for June Submit On:
28-06-2010
We're still online! And exploring new video applications on Youtube
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US retailer, J.C. Penney, plans to integrate some of the recent look-what-I-bought teen videos — known as "hauls" — into a core component of its back-to-school marketing. The retailer has a deal with six girls to create back-to-school haul videos. Each was provided with gift cards worth $250 to $1,000. Some were given free transportation and lodging to shop near J.C. Penney's home in Plano, Texas. JC Penney joins several teen-oriented retailers, including Forever 21 and American Eagle, in exploring the use of hauls. More than 159,000 hauls have been posted on YouTube and have been found to not only influence what teens buy, but also influence the mothers of teens.
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Dymocks has launched an online item enquiry system allowing customers called “Know Before You Go”, allowing customers to check book availability before visiting a store. Dymocks believes the new functionality meets customer demand for more efficient and convenient book-buying methods without compromising on the in store experience. As part of their multi-channel retail strategy, the in-house developed system aims at complementing the bricks-and-mortar Dymocks stores to provide added value to customers. The item enquiry system is fed from store inventory data that is updated every four hours, ensuring customers are well informed before contacting or visiting their nearest store. It also plans to roll out the Know Before You Go system to its New Zealand and Hong Kong stores.
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Virtual reality is hitting the mainstream retailers, with Wal-Mart reportedly testing virtual makeup mirror in a 90-day trial at 10 stores in various locations around the country. The technology uses IBM, Sprint and EZface to allow shoppers to test makeup virtually by taking a photo and scanning barcoded cosmetics that are applied to the image. Shoppers can save their image and email it to themselves.
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Jewellery retailer, Tiffany, has launched an iPhone application which allows consumers to shop for engagement rings via their phone. The Tiffany & Co. Engagement Ring Finder was launched in response to a growing customer desire for mobile and interactive shopping. The app includes an accurate Ring Sizer which lets users determine their size by placing an actual ring directly on the screen and aligning it with the correct circle in the guide. The rings are shown true-to-size and each style may be viewed with diamonds of six different carat sizes. Users may zoom in on a ring’s exquisite details, pair the rings with wedding bands, and save or share their favorites via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter. The app will appear in English (in the US, UK, Canada and Australia) and Japanese, with prices in local currency.
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