In-Store Media

Stamford, Conn. -- Quick Response (QR) codes are gaining increasing acceptance among consumers in North America and Europe, particularly among younger consumers, according to a new research report commissioned by Pitney Bowes.

QR code usage as reported by more than 5,000 consumers surveyed stands at 15% on average and at 27% for consumers 18 to 34 years old, according to “QR Code Use” study.

By Mike Romano, [email protected]

By Ken Nische, [email protected]

There are many trends — practical, psychographic and attitudinal — that are incubating during the retail “reboot” that’s taking place in the U.S. economy. This reboot is affecting all types and sizes of retail, brick-and-mortar and online. The key is putting these trends to work for you.

NEW YORK — A major renovation may be underway at Lululemon’s flagship store in Manhattan, but the fast growing retailer isn’t missing a beat.

The Vancouver, B.C.-based operator of 201 stores has set up a temporary store at 1142 Third Ave., across from its flagship location to satisfy the New Yorkers’ needs while the four-month renovation is underway.

NEW YORK — Tecate and Tecate Light announced the launch of their national retail program focused on helping U.S. Hispanics 21 and older celebrate their passion for football. The brand equity will place bilingual thematic POS materials with the slogan "A Man Knows How to Choose His Team," cross-merchandise and consumer promotions at off-premise locations across the country between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15, 2013.

Boston -- The number one reason people choose to shop either in-person or online is convenience and not price, according to the results of a new survey released by Continuum, a global design and innovation consultancy. Continuum's 2012 Service Design Report looked at data from more than 1,000 consumers across the country and uncovered the top reasons they choose whether to shop in-stores or online.

The top reasons respondents say they shop in stores are:
• For convenience (40%);
• They don't trust the quality online (22%);

Los Gatos, Calif. -- BrightSign that LifeProof has deployed the company’s players in point-of-purchase displays in Best Buy retail stores. LifeProof, a manufacturer of rugged cases for iPhone and iPad, is using 1,600 inline displays in Best Buy’s 800 U.S.-based stores to engage customers and generate sales in the increasingly competitive iOS accessories market.

Kansas City-based advertising agency Barkley was hired by Big Lots to help the closeout retailer with a broad range of marketing and brand strategy initiatives.

Barkley will provide Big Lots with full-service advertising and marketing duties including brand strategy, and broadcast, print and in-store executions. Barkley will also partner with Big Lots on web strategy and execution.

New York -- Polaroid has announced plans to launch a new experiential retail concept called Polaroid Fotobar, opening at least 10 locations in 2013. The stores are designed to allow consumers to take the images from their digital devices and easily turn them into museum-quality art. Polaroid Fotobar envisions the stores becoming a recreational and entertainment destination in addition to a place to shop.

In the first installment of its new Case Study series, CSA Online offered an insider’s look at the conception and initial rollout of the southern Calif.-based fast-casual concept PizzaRev. Likened to “the Chipotle of pizza,” this innovative chain lets customers choose from an artisanal array of toppings to craft their own pizzas. Using a 900-degree, stone-hearth oven, pizzas are ready in about three minutes, all at a cost of less than $8 per pie.