Diversity is the most important factor that marks the surviving sectors of amusement and gaming in the 2006/7 market. Those companies that have embraced new methodologies and new sectors are those both well placed to succeed and adapt.
At the London event the amusement trade was in strong evidence with many of the key parts manufacturers showing a willingness to support an emerging scene. Suzo-Happ shared space with Money Controls, promoting a wide selection of spares – as was stated to the Stinger correspondent, though not a major market (yet) the Kiosk scene is a growing sector that bears similarity with amusement and so a logical area to support.
Near Suzo, was Brent Electronics showing their spares range for support of the new range of kiosk systems. Another amusement veteran present at this UK event was Photo-Me International. The company having expanded its coverage of photo booth based systems was looking towards self-service counter and kiosk terminals. These next-generation terminals support Bluetooth beaming of mobile phone pictures. The future seen by PMI as offering a major secondary spend on top-up (mobile phones) and hotspots (wi-fi).
The aspect of kiosk technology in the retail sector is an interesting element of the market, removing the need for over-manning of stores as inventory (via touchscreen database), pricing (via barcode scanning) and ordering can be done at a terminal – at a level of customer satisfaction higher than dealing with actual sales staff. These ‘Self-Help Point' (Self-Service) terminals a factor in retail's future – the same way that ATM's changed banking.
The exhibition presented new technology in touchscreen applications, which will trickle down to amusement application. The latest ‘large screen' touchscreen solution were on display at the event from companies such as Protouch – their 40'' touchscreen display a major advancement in sales representation – how long this will be available in the entertainment sector a question of the viability (return on investment) in supporting a sector still experiencing problems.
The event presented the first true retail replacement self-service system since the establishment of the Automatic Teller Machine in the 80's. Spanish developer, Original Video Limited was formed in 1999 to deliver a brand new DVD rental concept. Since launch over 450 units have been installed in Spain, these autonomous vending systems each contain 1,500 DVD's in stock for the user.
With a simple operation to rent with the selection of the desired DVD or game CD made after swiping the credit card. No actual fee is taken till the DVD is returned so pricing to suit the customer – the card owner also creates a unique account that when logging-on a second time reports previous hires (the company already having 200,000 members).
The success of the concept contributed to the bankrupting of the retail chain Blockbusters' Spanish operation this year, the units seeing a growth rate of 140 per cent, the automated teller machine equivalent for retail with 24 hour service; the DVD vending kiosk killing the traditional over-the-counter retail alternative in Spain. A market in DVD sales that saw 88 million UK rental transactions in 2003, will see 11 machines in the UK for the launch at Kiosk UK. The obvious future for the system will be downloaded content to a DVD burner, becoming a near jukebox of media.
News Story with thanks to Kevin Williams, please visit
www.thestingerreport.com for the full story and others.
