Stratacache unveils new networked POP player/screens for retail (with pix)

January 15, 2010 by Dave Haynes

 
Stratacache was exhibiting this week at NRF and the company announced a new product that SEEMED like it was pretty interesting and really well-suited to retail. But the release did not come with any visual aids to help get my feeble mind around what the units looked like and did.
 
So I didn’t write anything up. But I did ask.
 
And now I have received. Paula Polei from Stratacache sent along a couple of images that show what a couple of the units look like.
 
The Spectra PopTouch units are combo LCD/media players that come in sizes as small as 3 inches and as big as 40. I suspect the market for these in the aisles is around the 10″-17″ size and and at end-caps, bigger.
 
For a retailer or an advertiser, the release says, being able to put the right message in front of a consumer at the point of purchase (POP) as part of a shopping aisle display dramatically improves sales and brand impact. Adding interactivity via a touch screen to the in-store digital media platform further personalizes the medium and elevates the customer experience.

A SPECTRA PopTouch interactive display acts as an “attraction” device in retail environments where the consumer can choose to interact if they wish. 
Cameras or motion detectors can be used to trigger “welcome” audio when patrons are in the vicinity. During idle time, the display can revert back 
to default content.

For in-store marketers, interactivity inherently provides measurement characteristics while providing shopper insight by tracking user data and click/touch paths.

SPECTRA PopTouch displays come cellular equipped-only power is needed for use as a digital shelf or embedded within a display. The PopTouch interactive displays are perfect for applications where the retailer wants to trigger mobile couponing or provide a valued takeaway sent to the consumer’s handheld device.
 

 
No word on pricing, but you want these, you are using the Stratacache CMS software.
 
I like this sort of thing for a few reasons
 
One, the company behind the units is big (by DS standards) and has the R&D people to do it properly. There are lots of digital POP screens out there but most come off containers from Asia-Pacific and the quality is often suspect and the available support minimal. Most are also sneakernet-based.   
 
Two, screens in and amongst the merchandised aisles just work. There’s more than enough sales evidence out there now.
 
Three, they don’t look like hell – though the wood frame thing probably has a very limited audience.
 
Four, they’re interactive and networked, so iy can be more than press here to play a different pre-loaded file. These can do more. 

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