arken - point of purchase solutions

Argos store refurbishment

2012-01-18T16:13:00.000Z

As part of Argos’s store refurbishment programme to enhance the in-store experience for customers, arken POP has been awarded part of the signage contract. This includes producing exterior signage in the form of poster cases placed outside the stores. Customised poster frames are used in the collection bay area, housing interchangeable promotional graphics above the product shelving in this high footfall area.

To date arken have supplied over 3000 components to approximately 300 Argos stores. During 2012/13 they are scheduled to supply the remainder of Argos’s estate, with completion of a further 450 stores nationwide.

arken shine at the Popai Awards 2011

2011-10-31T15:25:00.002Z

It was smiles all around at the POP awards last week as arken cleaned up for their client Superdrug, receiving 4 awards for the recent re-design of their flagship store, including a Display of the year award. They also received silver for the Flex display created for Filofax.

arken received a silver award for the creation of an exciting new layout for Superdrug’s flagship store in Wimbledon. As previously blogged, arken worked with London-based design consultancy Dalziel and Pow to create the new store design for Superdrug, elements of which have since rolled out to another 50 stores due to the impressive sales uplift generated.

The judges commented - “A repositioning of the Superdrug brand, an increase in sales and a new way of merchandising make-up were all achieved in a new flagship upmarket store look. Good use of space with round displays in the centre of the shop floor. Strong sales uplift of up to 75%.”

arken received a gold award in the cosmetics category for the ‘playtable’ - one element of the new ‘make-up zone’ for the new Superdrug store design.

The playtables are stocked by a single brand, and are circular in design allowing the shopper to navigate around the whole display. Mirrors are incorporated along with tissues boxes to encourage the shoppers to test out all the products in the range and hopefully encourage purchase.

The judges commented - “Modern-looking and colourful, this unit hits the ‘come and play’ brief perfectly. The use of MDF gives a premium feel and there’s good use of space. A great performer in the participating stores.”

The display also received Silver for display of the year. As to why the judges explained - “ The ‘come and play table’ brief was very well executed and led to great performance in-store. The unit offers a premium feel with the use of MDF instead of the more traditional metalwork and is both colourful and modern. A great use of space!”

arken also received a silver award for the unique ‘A frame’ make up displays developed for Superdrug.

The Judges commented that - “The unit delivered perfectly against the brief. A beautiful display with great standout it is better looking than many standard gondolas. Excellent sales performance too!”

arken received a silver award for the display they created for Filofax’s flex product. Flex is a new range for Filofax targeted at the 25-40 year old female market. Being a 'sister' of the traditional Filofax - the brand owners wanted to reposition its solid/dependable - yet somewhat ageing - reputation. The unit has been produced for all major department stores, stationery outlets both in the UK and Worldwide.

The product 'hotspot/highlighter' feature at the top is secured via a spring retainer which encourages shopper interaction with a real notebook i.e. rather than an electronic one. Vibrant colour coding and clear product information assists the browsing and selection process.

The unit has proven so successful that the launch was extended to two additional Retailers.

The judges commented that this display was “A good fit within the department store environment. With highly noticeable yet simple lines created with a good use of materials, the unit can easily be disassembled for recycling and comes with a creditable footprint.”

Superdrug store re-invention

2011-09-14T11:45:00.000+01:00

arken POP International worked alongside Dalziel and Pow to design and install an exciting new layout for Superdrugs flagship store in Wimbledon, London.

The new store design is fashionable, relevant and lively. It has new product zones including Make-up, Skin, Beauty, Men’s, Hair, Food and Health and Everyday. There is also a new pharmacy format which offers a consultancy room alongside the counter, allowing customers more privacy when seeking advice.

Every aspect of the existing store has been re-evaluated to create a completely new shopping experience for the customer. “The primary function of the store re-invention in many ways is to anchor our plans to get shoppers to take another look at us” says Steve Jebson, Commercial Director at Superdrug.

Focusing on the ‘make-up’ zone this new store concept has a more interactive approach to merchandising, with the introduction of ‘play tables’ and ‘a frames’. These make the products more accessible and encourage shoppers to test them out, strident moves away from the traditional make up shelves.

Laura Crespo, Marketing Manager at Maybelline (one of the three brands using the play table element pictured) said "We were delighted with the play table. It really does encourage shoppers to try the product, which is a fun way to interact with our Brand and is key to the actual purchase".

The clean lines created by the vacuum formed a-frame product displays (pictured) are designed for the make-up brands, whom incorporate their own branded inners. The thoughtful addition of tissue dispensers and mirrored panels on the ends of the a-frame displays allow the shoppers to truly test the products and be able to clean their hands afterwards.

The figures say it all; with the make up category enjoying very impressive sales uplift in the first weekend of opening that have continued over the proceeding months. The flagship store and a further four store trial was such a success that key elements of the flagship store format are now rolling out to a further fifty stores in the estate.

PURELITE LED LIGHTBOXES - The future of illuminated displays

2010-03-01T15:32:00.007Z

arken bring you the new PURELITE Led Lightbox range . Not only great value for money, these lightboxes also save on electrical consumption, maintenance and space.

The New Purelite LED Lightbox range from arken is both slim line, economical and allows for a far smaller carbon footprint than lightboxes using fluorescent tubes. It certainly ticks all the right boxes if you are looking for a high quality yet affordable illuminated display.

• Slim profile ( as slim as a regular snap frame)
• Uses 60% less energy than traditional tubes**
• On average £80 cheaper to run per unit per year than tube lightboxes*
• Very low maintenance
• LED's have at least a 5 year life
• 58% reduction in carbon generation than traditional tube lightboxes**

The Poster Case ( featured right) and Delux Poster Case, feature a hinged door which is perfect for high footfall areas where tampering can be an issue. Accessible only with a lever tool, this design allows the front section to open completely (like a door) allowing both hands for changing graphics before securely locking it shut. The Poster Case version comes in aluminium as standard, but can also be polished for a high shine look or powder coated in any colour. The Delux Poster Case is supplied in black and provides a strong presence with a high end feel.

* based on 12p / KWhr
** based on 60" x 40" size

The Snapframe version, ( featured left) is just 31mm deep, providing an ultra slimline lightbox with fantastic light dispersal and illumination.

Please call us for a quote or to place an order 01638 565656 or email info@arken-pop.com

2009-10-28T10:11:00.009Z

arken P-O-P Ltd win GOLD display of the year at POPAI awards.

arken struck gold at the POPAI Awards 2009 with a show stopping unit designed for Logitech. The display demonstrated both indoor and outdoor security cameras with the use of digital display and replica product. Awarded GOLD for overall display of the year, the judge’s comments highlighted some key success factors.

“Manufactured with the environment in mind the unit still managed to deliver a fantastic use of design and great use of a screen for an in store environment. Eye catching, easily updateable with equally flexible plinths, the unit met all the market objectives”.

“Receiving a GOLD for overall display of the Year is a fantastic achievement for all involved, our clients were overjoyed and so pleased to have received this recognition” , Tracy Scutt, MD arken P-O-P Ltd.

The digital video security display unit received rave reviews from the judges in the Telecommunications and computers category, again awarding it Gold:

“This entry left me with a strong desire to find out more about the product and potentially buy it….a winning combination!

The simple and compact displays solution made the product the champion whilst providing the security required helping to clearly demonstrate a high value product in a highly interactive and captivating manner whilst avoiding the risk of theft.”

arken received a Silver for an innovative display for Filofax, an in store solution for their diaries, wallets and inserts. The judges commented, “This was a good design that really seemed to fit the Filofax brand and the channel – independent retailers and stationers.

The unit successfully managed to look premium whilst balancing the use of various materials on a tight budget. Flexibility was key in the brief enabling either the Filofax or the inserts to be displayed or both depending on the level of demand. The brief was well met in terms of branding, durability, flexibility and stock holding”.

arken designed a Satellite navigation automotive display for Garmin . This display was a huge success with some 4000 units now placed in automotive show rooms across Europe and received a bronze award.

A bronze also went to arken for a display created for Scholl. A freestanding unit for their footwear range, to be placed in independent Pharmacies, the design was heavily based around Scholl’s corporate colours and branding, with the emphasis on creating a contemporary display to attract a new and younger market.

arken created a display for Marks and Spencer in partnership with Scottish and Southern energy. The unit’s main purpose was to raise awareness of M & S Energy and provide an area where customers could sign up for electricity from their partnered provider. Installed in M & S stores, and manned by SSE staff it created an integral offer to M&S other financial products and received a Bronze Popai award.

Our Green Ethos

2009-09-30T15:49:00.004+01:00

Not only a member, but also a founding partner of the POPAI Green Project, we are committed to reducing environmental impact across our entire organisation. We are now working alongside retailers, brands and suppliers alike to formulate strategies for tackling these issues.

As a result, we are focused on making improvements in a number of key areas:

Design - Product lifespan, use of modular parts where possible, design for re-use, minimisation of material types, design for lightweight materials.

Materials and Processes - Total carbon footprint of material selected, optimise material usage, use minimal number of components, made from readily recyclable materials, made with recycled material content, ease of disassembly

Plant and Premises - In house vs. outsourced, efficient use of labour, minimise secondary processes, produced with low energy consumption, supply chain fit for purpose, suitable environmental policy.

Installation and Fulfilment - Outsourced parts delivery, finished goods volume, packaging fit for transportation.

We don't just talk the talk, in the first 5 months of this year alone we have reduced our electricity consumption on site by 21%, an estimated annual reduction of 30 tonnes of CO². Gas consumption is down 24% in the same period, estimated at saving another 45 tonnes of CO² over the year. We have also made significant reduction in landfill waste generated, instead recycling where possible.

The nominations are out!

2009-07-15T15:47:00.007+01:00

arken are pleased to announce the nomination of five of our most outstanding displays in the POPAI Awards 2009.

The nominations include a project for Scottish and Southern Energy alongside M & S to create a kiosk, as a permanent feature for 150 Marks and Spencer stores to promote the key features and benefits of M&S Energy.

A unit for Logitech was deemed a credible contender in the judge’s eyes. The display was designed to promote digital home video security for consumer electronic retailer outlets across Western Europe and in the UK particularly for Currys and Comet.

Also nominated was a free standing unit designed for Scholls footwear range. The design was heavily based around Scholl’s corporate colours and branding, with the emphasis on creating a contemporary display to attract a new and younger market.

A display that also caught the judges eye was a creation for the Filofax brand, whom required a premier looking unit with sufficient stock holding. Brand awareness was key and the large graphic area enabled the logo to stand out and create recognition with shoppers.

Our final nomination was for a display created for Garmin. They required a flexible freestanding unit that could display live and dummy navigation handsets within automotive showrooms and automotive accessory retailers. Particularly impressive was the fact that after initially creating the display for 250 retailers in the UK the FSU has now been placed in over 4000 car dealerships across Europe.

arken feature @ marketing week live

2009-06-25T10:36:00.005+01:00

award winning displays on show.....

Yes you can see our displays on the POPAI stand at the all new Instore show 09, part of marketing week live.

On display will be our award winning displays from 2008 including the Kwik Fit Accessory Display, NYC Cosmetics Display, Maplin Battery Display and Sennheiser Headphone Comparitor unit.

We hope you enjoy the show http://www.instoreshow.co.uk/. Register on-line now for free.

arken win six POPAI awards

2008-10-14T17:24:00.003+01:00

arken are pleased to announce they have received six awards in the POPAI awards 2008. This includes 2 Gold’s, 3 Silver’s and a Bronze award.

The first Gold award was awarded for the Kwik-Fit wall display – A merchandising unit used to sell car accessories to customers whilst they wait to have their tyres changed.

The judges’ comments:

“The clear winner in this category, this was a well thought out design that met all the requirements of the brief and worked well for customers.
The unit was designed to sit in the reception space of Kwik Fit outlets to encourage customers to buy while they waited for tyre fittings. As the reception space had not been designed with retail sales in mind, the unit had to offer modular flexibility and needed to be easily maintained. The design provided clear range segmentation and displayed a wide variety of product types and sizes effectively and logically. Sales performance was well ahead of expectation and provided a true incremental opportunity for the retailer. Good use of space, well branded, operationally efficient and customer friendly – a winner all round.”

The Sennheiser headphone comparator display also won Gold . This interactive display allows customers to listen to ‘on board’ sound samples and compare the sound quality of the various noise cancelling head phones available.

Judges’ comments:

“The Sennheiser comparator unit allows shoppers to aurally appreciate the quality of the headphones particularly when compared with those supplied with MP3 players.
The extra details such as the ability to demonstrate noise cancelling technology and being able to test with different music genres impressed the judges and it was thought to be an excellent execution of the brief.”

For Microsoft arken designed a keyboard and mouse display – A category initiative for Microsoft featuring high performing keyboards and mice, allowing hands on customer interaction. This design won a silver award.
Judges’ comments:

”The clear, space efficient design with good use of materials enabled marketing objectives to be achieved. Being able to ‘play’ with the product appears to have really driven sales with strong category uplifts.”

New York Colour Cosmetic Update Project for Del Laboratories Ltd also received silver.

The judges commented that “This display was designed to be functional whilst encouraging consumers to browse. An effective solution to market was of paramount importance so a facility to refresh units with minimal disruption and cost was also essential. All these requirements were delivered. The promotional mechanic was very clear with the offer communicated at eye level in the middle of the display. The NYC brand has a considerable product range but the unit was designed to enable the stand to remain clean and tidy in appearance while still allowing customers to test the range.”

arken’s ‘Maplin Battery Display ‘ for Maplin Electronics Ltd also received Silver.

Judges’ comments:

“With a return on investment in just four months and a sales increase of 118% over the Christmas period, this flat-pack display with flexible graphic “wraps” was quick and easy to assemble.
Initially an own-label unit, the adaptability and the ease with which graphics could be changed allowed for brand specific promotions and thus increased the longevity of the display.”

Finally the House of Prince Horeca Unit – An illuminated display to create brand awareness amongst the trendy bar crowd in Scandinavia, received a Bronze award.

Latest Industry News

2008-07-24T14:54:00.003+01:00

Point of purchase activities act as a powerful catalyst to buy and reflect the increasing spontaneity of shopping. Impulse purchases now account for 50% of all purchases and 60% of value of the shop. In addition, consumers who have decided to buy a certain brand change their mind on average 42% of the time.

Ref: I to I research July 2008.

POPAI have developed a new web-based learning course designed to give an entry-level overview of the P-O-P industry is now available online. The interactive and self-paced e-Course offers learners a concise, practical grounding in the day-to-day workings of the industry with five 30-minute sessions covering: • The retail environment • Shopper behaviour and the role of P-O-P • Processes involved in the production of temporary, permanent, digital and semi-permanent P-O-P • Hot topics in P-O-P today (including green issues, measurement, effectiveness and compliance)• Digital Media in Retail.

http://www.popai.co.uk/

Retailers protest at government proposals to ban tobacco displays in stores

2008-07-17T16:32:00.000+01:00

Retailers are protesting at Government proposals to ban or restrict the display of tobacco products in stores across the UK, according to a survey of 1,000 independent stores carried out by trade magazine Independent Retail News.

On May 31 the UK government launched its consultation on the Future of Tobacco Control, which closes on September 8. Also in May, the Scottish Government launched a Smoking Prevention Action Plan, which includes similar proposals such as banning of tobacco products on display behind the counter, banning packs of cigarettes less than 20 and banning tobacco vending machines.

Highlights of the survey include:* 85% of retailers oppose the moves* 89% fear high costs of new gantries and conversions as sales go under the counter* 79% say sales will fall* 78% fear sales of fake cigarettes will rise* 79% say security is issueMost retailers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, 84.4%, said they did not agree with the proposal to ban displays.

http://www.talkingretail.com/

arken nominated for six POPAI awards

2008-07-15T17:10:00.014+01:00

arken are pleased to announce they have been nominated for six awards in the POPAI awards 2008. They are very excited to see how many golds they get this time round!! Units nominated include Kwik Fit wall display, House of Prince horeca unit, Maplin battery display, Sennheiser headphone comparator unit , the NYC cosmetics display and the Microsoft keyboard and mouse Dislplay.

arken will find out the final results at the POPAI award ceremony in London on October 9th.

arken - have it all framed up!

2008-07-15T17:07:00.003+01:00

The new ‘Magnetic Poster Frame’, available in sizes A4 to A1, is a curved plastic design, providing a fresh and simple approach to displaying posters. Posters are easy to change, by simply lifting the front sheet, making this design very practical yet impacting. The frame is also durable and easy to clean and is available off the shelf through arken direct, or can be made to order in any specified colour or size.

The new ‘Frameless Frame’ available from size A4 to A1 provides a modern contemporary look and a completely new approach to displaying posters, whilst still being both practical and easy to use. Mounted next to each other they can provide a continuous graphic or repeated graphic/message, or simply used solo they create a virtually invisible display that lets the poster do all the work.

To buy online or for more info on our other poster display products visit http://www.arken-direct.com/

Buy online with arken direct

2008-06-25T12:53:00.005+01:00

You can now buy poster frames, poster hanging systems, pavement signs, literature dispensers and illuminated poster display lightboxes online from arken direct.

Manufactured in the UK you can save up to 10% when purchasing online, and delivery will normally be within two working days.

Visit the site today for quality products at online prices.

POPAI awards

2008-06-25T12:44:00.005+01:00

arken win gold for Guinness Refrigeration unit, Diageo

The judges said "we were impressed by the Guinness refrigeration units impact and brand presence. Combining the convenience of chilled cans and multi-pack stock in one location and has boosted sales in 150 stores in Ireland

View the case study

2007-08-23T10:28:00.002+01:00

Hanging systems complement wide range of graphic displays from arken

The new hanging systems from arken are available in both front opening and slide in format and are perfect for displaying paper posters, card or a variety of vinyl substrates.

Ideal either suspended from the ceiling, as window displays or freestanding they create hi-impact signage in showrooms, retail sites and foyer receptions.

The front opening frames use arken’s unique Ultragrip™ system, the other variation allows graphics to slide in, both allowing easy change of graphics.

Both variations are available in a wide range of sizes, and are an extremely cost effective way to display graphics.