3M Unveils New Innovations at Retail Solutions 2006, 6 - 8 June, NEC, Birmingham, Stand D11

Event marks launch of new Vikuiti(TM) rear-projection film for eye-catching store window displays

3M will demonstrate new touch screen and digital display offerings for the retail, hospitality, leisure, multimedia and self-service kiosk markets on stand D11 at Retail Solutions 2006. Visitors to the stand will see a pioneering new rear-projection display film technology that enables retailers to extend the boundaries of in-store marketing and design. Also on show will be 3Ms comprehensive range of touch screen monitors, including the optically enhanced CT150 chassis monitor for applications such as self-service kiosks. 

Touch Screen Advancements

Touch monitors are growing in popularity and can be found in numerous retail and hospitality environments such as high street and out of town outlets, banks, convenience stores, petrol stations, pharmacies, pubs, clubs, restaurants and bars. The MicroTouch(TM) M150 (15) and M170 (17) desktop monitors, incorporating ultra-durable ClearTek(TM) capacitive touch technology, are ideal for such applications offering robust, accurate and reliable touch performance.  

3M will exhibit the above along with the new MicroTouch CT150 15 LCD chassis monitor, ideal for any indoor kiosk application that requires high image quality and extreme impact resistance. Key attributes include a 500:1 contrast ratio LCD display module, three bezel options, an array of designer-flexible mounting methods, a remote control on-screen-display adjustment module and internal power cable.

Large format touch displays also have an exciting role to play in the retail and hospitality sectors. 3Ms 32 MicroTouch ClearTek II touch screen will be on the stand demonstrating its ability to create attention-grabbing, dynamic interactive applications for customers and guests.

Revolutionary Vikuiti Rear-projection Window Film

Capturing and influencing audience attention is crucial in the retail, leisure and hospitality industries. Retail Solutions 2006 will mark the launch of an exciting new rear-projection window film technology that will transform the way marketers communicate with their target audience both indoors and outdoors.

The Vikuiti rear-projection films from 3M feature a self-adhesive coating for easy application to glass partitions or public-facing windows. A special feature is its ability to be cut to any shape or size, offering designers the creative freedom to reflect the image of the store with the display film, such as a sail shape for a nautical store. Static or scrolling text as well as multiple images can be projected on the display film simultaneously to draw attention to a particular item, in-store promotion or even to entice potential customers into the store.

The films match the performance characteristics of the Vikuiti rear-projection display screens, announced earlier this year and also appearing on the stand. Both produce stunning images, characterised by rich colour rendition, superb brightness, high contrast, and excellent levels of definition and resolution with minimum reflection. All this is combined with 180 degree viewability, making the screens ideal for shop fronts with narrow pavements so that images can be easily read from long distances and all angles. 

The rear-projection films and screens are ideal mediums for delivering multimedia content, especially when combined with 3M Digital Signage software. Running dynamic digital signage on digital displays is a great way for retailers to enhance the customer shopping experience. Marketing teams can improve brand compliance by scheduling content in advance without having to rely on static graphics being displayed in the right way in each store location at the right time. The impact of promotions can also be accurately assessed because sales can be monitored as messages change.