arken graphic display helps Gala Bingo to give new clubs a winning look

Bingo players in the North East have had their ‘eyes up’ after Gala Bingo, the UK’s leading bingo operator, gave two recently acquired clubs an inviting fresh look – with a little help from arken.

The popular bingo clubs in Middlesbrough and South Shields were given a facelift after Gala Bingo completed their purchase from the Noble organisation. To add the all-important finishing touches to the refurbishment programme, arken supplied a range of display materials including wall and hanging poster frames, to create a truly winning environment for bingo players.

“We were delighted to welcome the Middlesbrough and South Shields sites to the Gala Bingo family. But there was still plenty of work to do. Our priority was to integrate both clubs into the Gala Bingo brand, and ensure that those changes happened as smoothly as possible,” said Gala Bingo spokesperson.

arken have been a preferred supplier to Gala Coral Group for a number of years, supplying lightboxes, poster frames, forecourt signs and literature dispensers to both its bingo and casino venues. “arken has become the first port of call for Gala Bingo Club managers when they need promotional display material. Our combination of quality, outstanding customer service and realistic pricing mean that they can always bet on us to deliver when it matters most,” said Paul Smart.

Gala Bingo has recently embarked on an extensive refurbishment and investment programme to create exciting venues with market leading products, which will enable it to continue to grow its share of the UK gaming market. The bingo operator boasts over 700,000 active members who make more than 3 million visits each year to its clubs across the UK.

POPAI Awards 2012 – arken P-O-P nominated for 5 awards

arken P-O-P is pleased to announce that we have been shortlisted as a finalist for the prestigious POPAI Awards 2012, scooping a total of 5 award nominations. Representing the very best in creative excellence within the retail marketing industry, the full list of 2012 nominees was unveiled on the 27^th June during Marketing Week Live. Our creative P-O-P work for Logitech, Fashionista and Superdrug have all been shortlisted for awards in their respective categories, while our design for the Dove Spa store has been nominated for the ‘Flagship and Store Award’.

The ceremony will take place in London on Tuesday 23rd October at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel, London.

Find out more about our nominations for POPAI 2012

arken graphic display solution for HMV Technology Stores

arken have created a new graphic display solution for HMV Technology Stores

The graphic displays support a new in-store campaign from HMV who wanted an interchangeable category display solution for their technology area.

Find out more about arken's graphic display solution for HMV Technology Stores

Argos store refurbishment

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.

Read the full story about arken providing customised poster frames for Argos

arken shine at the Popai Awards 2011

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

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.

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 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.

Read the case studies

Superdrug flagship store design

Superdrug make-up playtable

Superdrug make-up A Frame

PURELITE LED LIGHTBOXES - The future of illuminated displays

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