Lions, and Tigers and…. A Vending System from Kodak? Oh My!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kennett Square, PA – July 23, 2001 The Kodak Products Vending Program is wowing visitors and staff of zoos and aquariums across the country. This low-maintenance system makes it easy for tourist attractions to extend retail space, capitalize on impulse purchases, and increase revenue by providing Kodak MAX one-time-use cameras and film to visitors where they need them most – at the “point of picture”. Just ask Rick Simpson, Director of Retail for the New Jersey State Aquarium, about their new “exhibit” – a vending system from Kodak – placed prominently at the front entrance of the aquarium, reminding visitors that they are embarking on a unique experience and inviting them to “snap it up” with a one-time-use camera.
“We feel the aquarium lends itself to picture taking,” says Simpson. “The Kodak Products Vending Program enables us to offer one-time-use cameras and film as an additional service and convenience to our visitors - it’s just one more way we are working to enhance our visitors’ experience at the NJ State Aquarium.”
“The program has been especially popular at family-oriented tourist locations, such as aquariums and zoos,” explains Erika Bender, Director of Sales for the Kodak Products Vending Program. “People want to capture their memories – whether someone forgot their camera, or ran out of film, the Kodak Products Vending Program is there to ensure that no photo opportunity is lost. Because the vending systems are wireless, they can be placed just about anywhere someone might need a one-time-use camera or film.”
A Retail Dream…
Popular tourist locations nationwide are enjoying the many benefits of the program, including the extended retail space, low maintenance, labor-free management and monthly commission checks.
According to Simpson, the machine requires much less handling than in-store products. “There is no inventory cost, and because the Kodak Products Vending Program monitors sales and inventory via the Internet, you receive timely re-orders, there is no need for designated storage space, and we are able to maximize sales and reduce theft. I know I sound like an advertisement, but it’s the truth.”
“Cameras and film are a high-theft item, and usually remain behind the counter, away from public access points,” agrees Amanda Baldyga, Manager of Retail at the NJ State Aquarium. “The vending system requires little supervision and accepts credit and debit cards for purchase. This is a convenience for the customer, but it also keeps cash out of the machines and reduces the possibility of theft – the vending program offers a labor-free way for us to sell a usually labor-intensive item.”
In addition to the ease in maintaining the system, come the benefits of having a machine “on location” instead of tucking it away in a gift shop. “The bright red and yellow Kodak-branded vending system is very visible to zoo visitors and carries with it high brand recognition,” agrees Gail Eaton, Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing at Zoo Atlanta. “It triggers the idea of photographing for two types of visitors - those with an idle camera in their backpack and those who forgot to bring one.”
Sit Back and Relax
All that is required of the location is a place to install the vending system and the promise to restock the system when the product arrives on its doorstep. A Kodak Products Vending Program representative monitors the system for maintenance issues, manages the inventory, ships the product when it reaches low levels and provides continual customer care.
“After initial site visits to choose the perfect location, the vending team for Kodak took over and handled everything,” says Eaton. “Our gift shop staff is responsible for stocking it, and our maintenance crew keeps it clean and shiny – other than that, the program takes care of itself.”
About the Kodak Products Vending Program
The Kodak Products Vending Program was developed with the convenience of both the customer and the location in mind. With no product to store, no inventory to control, anywhere placement, online information access and 24 hour a day, 7 day a week customer care, the program offers a low-risk way to increase your revenue and provide a valuable service to your visitors.
For more information on the Kodak Products Vending Program, contact a Kodak representative at 888-427-8743, or log on to www.e-vend.net and click on the Kodak Products Vending Program logo.
About Zoo Atlanta
Founded in 1889, Zoo Atlanta is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. It is a lush 40-acre wildlife park housing over 1000 animals near the heart of the city. Over one million people visit each year, and the zoo`s membership exceeds 50,000 households. Zoo Atlanta is best known for successful breeding of endangered animals and for the creation of naturalistic animal habitats. The zoo is open year round from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. For more information, log onto www.zooatlanta.org.
About the NJ State Aquarium
Home to over 1,500 fabulous fish and marine life in a 760,000-gallon Open Ocean Tank, a fifty-foot shark from the Pliocene era, a 170,000-gallon salt water exhibit displaying a mixed colony of Harbor and Gray Seals, and a Penguin Paradise, the NJ State Aquarium has something for everyone. For more information on exhibits and upcoming events, visit the aquarium’s website at www.njaquarium.org.
###
Contact:
Maeve McKenna
Kodak Products Vending Program
Marketing Communications Manager
888-427-8743
m.mckenna@stitchnetworks.com
Kathy Rauschenberg
Eastman Kodak Company
Public Relations Manager
770-522-2862
kathy.rauschenberg@kodak.com
Gail Eaton
Zoo Atlanta
Vice President and Director of Marketing
404-624-5630
geaton@zooatlanta.org
Vicki Scharfberg
NJ State Aquarium
Vice President of Marketing
856-365-3300 ext. 230
vscharfberg@NJAQUARIUM.ORG
Back...
