STORES Magazine - January 2009 - (Page 12)

trEnDS COMPILED BY STORES EDITORS Mechanical Marvel New York sales associates, take heed: A new kid in town could pose a threat. It’s name is Wakamaru and it works at Uniglo in Soho. The small robot joined the staff of Uniglo — often referred to as the Japanese Gap — in September. Designed by Toshiyuku Kita and engineered by Mitsubishi, the robot can make eye contact, hold simple conversations and assist shoppers in locating products around the store. It is also able to recognize and greet people. Although Wakamaru is described as “neither human nor machine,” it has a distinctly feminine voice. Standing approximately 3 ft. tall, the robot has big glassy eyes that seem to stare off into space and short arms that perform basic movements. Wakamaru is more than just another pretty face at Uniglo; it often plays a unique role. The robot has been known to lead staff in motivational exercises and communicate promotions to customers. comes from using lighter-weight glass bottles (which reduces shipping costs) and a recycled synthetic closure instead of cork. Given that consumers have already been turned on to the possibility of good, cheap wine (think Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chuck), this option could have some staying power. The simple, but eyecatching label, which harkens back to the era of the Great Depression, attracts shoppers. Let’s just hope there’s not more to this wine than meets the eye. You’re Getting Sleepy Too many people are slogging through life, operating on a perpetual sleep deficit and hoping their bodies will adjust over time. But science tells us they don’t. At Sleep to Live stores, executives have made it their mission to awaken people to the benefits of healthy, nourishing sleep. At the recently opened flagship in Raleigh, N.C., a new store design brings the Sleep to Live credo to life with a blend of technology and customization. The concept focuses on the customer sleep experience and is based on studies by Robert Oexman of the Sleep to Live Institute. The design creates a choreographed discovery path for customers punctuated by graphic and digital media displays, interactive screens and test beds. The interactive technology, with an interface designed by Eight Inc., is reported to be revolutionary for this category of “wellness retail” by allowing an in-depth customized experience. The Sleep to Live store features three main experience zones: the first educates customers about the benefits of sleep, giving the customers a deeper understanding of the scientific reasons behind the store’s products; the second scans customers’ bodies and recWWW.STORES.ORG When Life Gives You Sour Grapes . . . . . . it may be time to try a new wine. At least that’s how the executives at Concannon Vineyard choose to view the current recessionary economy. For wine drinkers worried about how they’ll afford their favorite budget-busting bottle of Bordeaux if the economy continues its slide, Concannon has introduced a new line of lowcost wines from California — Recession Reds (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) and Recession White (Chardonnay). Each retails for around $5 per bottle, though vineyard executives claim they taste more like $10 wines: The value 12 STORES / JANUARY 2009 http://WWW.STORES.ORG

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of STORES Magazine - January 2009

STORES Magazine - Jauary 2008 Contents Executive Editor's Page President's Page Mechanical Marvel P&G Invests in Ocado Now I Remember What Shoppers Think 10 Things You May Have Missed Numbers Worth Counting Full Price/Markdown Retail People Breaking the Monotony Multi-Channel Concept2Watch E-Commerce Analytics Category Management IT Systems In-Store Technology IT Systems Communications Website Strategy Communications SOA Energy Video Surveillance Employee Theft Online Fraud Industry Perspective Loeb Retail Letter ARTS Update Point of View NRF News Retail Crossword End Cap

STORES Magazine - January 2009

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