The bed trade association ABK supports its members in addressing customers digitally at the POS and uses the digital signage software PRESTIGEenterprise for this purpose.
Weinheim, 18 September 2017 +++ As one of the leading German specialist retail associations, the ABK purchasing association operates a unique Future Store Laboratory in Gütersloh, which acts as a think tank and innovation factory to test new trends for bricks-and-mortar retail, determine the added value for the bed trade and design modern solutions for its 70 members with over 100 shops on the basis of these results. All solutions developed on this basis aim to strengthen the specialised trade, make it fit for the challenges of the future and ensure sustainable business success. These solutions are made available to ABK members as modular components.
These success factors include the "ABK-TV" in-store TV module, which includes the installation and operation of modern in-store communication via digital media. The association has opted for the PRESTIGEenterprise software platform from Online Software AG to manage, plan and distribute the ABK-TV programme.
Digital sales technologies have been making their way into bricks-and-mortar retail spaces unabated for years. The question is no longer "whether" but "how" to use digital components effectively, a trend that requires a radical rethink in stationary retail and therefore also poses a major challenge for bed retailers. Today's customers want more than just good products. They want entertaining worlds of experience, because shopping is now a leisure activity. The integration of screens into the shop ambience enables an exciting entertainment programme. But screens are more than just entertaining design elements. Digital images shine brighter than simple posters and attract attention simply through the movement of the changing images and even more so through videos and animations. Digital end devices are also suitable as advertising space for many different products and services.
With ABK-TV, ABK offers a solution that supports specialist retailers in modernising their shop design with digital media. "In addition to the cost of the initial installation, many small retailers shy away from the effort involved in generating content. After all, buying and installing the screens is not the end of the story. Only then does the task of offering customers an interesting, constantly updated programme begin," explains Thomas Fehr, Managing Director of ABK Einkaufsverband GmbH & Co. KG. "Attractive images and videos that highlight special products in an atmospheric way and arouse the customer's interest in buying or explanatory videos that fulfil the customer's increasing need for information about the origin or production of the goods are the real challenge for many shop owners."
This is why the "ABK TV" module also includes supplying the screens with suitable content. ABK manages all content via the PRESTIGEenterprise communication platform, a professional software tool that also enables the planning and distribution of individual content with simple template management, so that every specialist retailer receives a specially tailored in-store TV programme in their corporate design on the screens of their shop. ABK also handles regular requests from manufacturers for suitable new image and video material, such as specialist information on the construction of mattresses, what customers should look out for when sleeping or background information on the production of special beds from the factory floor. PRESTIGEenterprise provides ABK with the perfect basis for a professional "ABK TV" and the best possible sales support for the specialised bed trade.
About ABK Einkaufsverband GmbH & Co. KG
ABK is the purchasing association of leading bed specialist shops in Germany. By joining forces, ABK members are able to achieve better prices when procuring goods, so that customers can expect first-class prices in addition to quality standards and personalised advice.
About Online Software AG
Online Software AG is an innovative software company specialising in the development of solutions for the international wholesale and retail trade. The medium-sized company based in Weinheim an der Bergstraße has been supporting retailers for over 25 years with software solutions for professional in-store advertising and, with more than 35,000 installations in 35 countries, is the market leader in the field of cross-media in-store communication and sales promotion. With the PRESTIGEenterprise software, the online software offers a communication platform for addressing customers at the point of sale that includes both traditional media and digital output media. The award-winning software thus forms the perfect basis for holistic communication concepts, integrating posters and labels as well as large-format screens, video walls, checkout and scale screens, kiosk systems, digital shelves and electronic shelf labels (ESL) through to mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and MDEs. Find out more about our Digital signage solutions.
Further information:
Online Software AG
Bergstrasse 31
69469 Weinheim, Germany
info@online-software-ag.de
www.online-software-ag.com
Sandy Heinzmann
Manager Marketing & Communication
T. +49 6201 9988-682
F. +49 6201 9988-77
sandy.heinzmann@online-software-ag.de
