May 2012 Archives

New major project completed by Friendlyway with Globus.  We were speaking with Klaus Trox CEO and he mentioned it and the success it has seen. As hot as "in-store" is these days, this is the complete opposite being outside store or maybe extended store. Pretty cool stuff.

This week's print edition of the Puget Sound Business Journal checks in on Coinstar (subscription required), the Seattle-based company that started with coin-counting vending machines and is now best known for its Redbox DVD rental kiosks.

Write up on MinuteKey soon to be in Lowes, Costco, and Walmart. Minutekey is led by Randall Fagundo ex-Sugar Loaf/Coinstar.

IKEA's new kiosk-based loyalty program IKEA FAMILY has already attracted more than 1.6 million members since its launch a few months ago. IKEA FAMILY offers special offers and benefits to customers, as well as program-branded merchandise and promotional events, Diane Zoll, manager of IKEA FAMILY US, said in a company release.

How legacy IT systems are hindering and preventing JC Penney from making strategic changes,

NCR Express Key kiosk to let guests who check in online or via mobile device bypass registration to obtain room key.

Mike Lee is long time executive director of the ATMIA (ATM Industry Association) and they publish Future Trends.  One of the recurring topics is the prospects and usage of cash.  Cash has been declared dead many times but reality seems to always win out over potential technology fascinations.

Nice article from Wall Street Journal on anticipated bank upgrades to all types of do it yourself services.

Lots of automatic coffee makers but this is self-service robotics handling all of the ordering, creation, and delivery of the product. Includes a nice video.

DULUTH, Ga., May 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- NCR Corporation NCR +0.22% today announced the launch of NCR Customer Voice, a web-based customer loyalty, retention and referral tool that enables operators to monitor customer satisfaction, deal with any dissatisfaction immediately and turn happy customers into brand ambassadors using social media channels.

OMAHA, Neb., May 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Many attendees of this weekend's Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting saw something they'd never seen before: a complete retail store in just 2 sq. ft. of floor space. In contrast to the usual large booths selling products made by Berkshire-owned brands. Richline Group, a Berkshire Hathaway-owned jewelry manufacturer, employed the Vigix vending kiosk to sell commemorative, gold and silver coins, pendants, and money clips. Sales were strong throughout the meeting, achieving an annualized sales per square foot of more than $1,125,000.

Target CEO takes aim at Amazon in latest showrooming skirmish.