September 11th, 2008
When you go into a high street shop you’ve normally gone in to buy something, to browse, or the worst case scenario – you’re accompanying someone else to do the same! Most of the time, we don’t give our shopping experience a great deal of overt thought.
But the same can’t be said of the retailers. High street retailing is no longer just about selling product – it’s virtually a science in itself. Technology has been embraced by retailers to monitor customers buying patterns, to monitor their movement around the store, to direct them to specific areas etc., all in a bid to maximise sales.
One of the latest ‘technologies’ to be introduced to the high street is in the sphere of in-store marketing and multiple retailers at the top end of the spectrum are sitting up and listening. Quite literally. That’s because in-store radio is one of the most recent – and effective - sales and marketing tools to be unleashed in the high street.
In it’s very basic form, in-store radio is pre recorded music and messages on CD that are repeatedly played in a store. So what’s new about that? Well, modern in-store radio is a whole different ball game as it’s instant, flexible, convenient…… and it works: it helps increase sales. That’s a big claim to make, but PEL Music and Media, owner of the ‘Mediainstore’ radio system, has been conducting trials with some of the major high street department stores and the results are extremely positive.
What’s different about the modern breed of in-store radio is its exceptional flexibility and immediacy. ‘Mediainstore’, for example, uses the latest foolproof audio scheduling technology, enabling it to transmit radio programmes to every location that is set up to receive the service. There is no limit to the number of stores - even independent retailers with as little as a single store can benefit from the service. Content can be stored digitally, allowing for regular updates by ADSL, Broadband or CD, making the system far less vulnerable from equipment failure than other broadcast methods, and also making it extremely fast in the case of ADSL and Broadband.
Because of this incredible flexibility, in-store radio can be used to broadcast to all branches simultaneously to present the impression of a dedicated, live radio station, or it can meet individual store needs, such as specific regional promotions or events.
In-store radio helps retailers make the best of every sales opportunity with minimum effort. And what opportunities there are! Think about a hot summer’s day, for example. Why not use radio to promote the range of cold drinks in the cool air conditioned café? What a lovely thought for weary shoppers, who may not even have realised there was a café in the store! In fact, with in-store radio, all of the store’s facilities can be promoted, from personal shoppers and credit cards, through to sale items and special offers. And they can be changed cost effectively from week to week or even day to day.
So for sales and marketing, in-store radio is a dream. But it’s also a great way to reinforce a retailer’s branding and help differentiate themselves from the fierce competition on the high street.
A retailer’s ‘sound’ is as unique to their brand as are their logos and in-store design. Whilst retailers have long been aware that the ambient mix in their stores is essential in targeting the right customers and securing sales, sound has often taken a back seat. With modern in-store radio, creating a sound that is unique to a retailer is now both possible and, just as importantly, cost-effective. As part of the ‘Mediainstore’ service for example, PEL Music & Media works closely with retailers to understand their precise requirements and the type of environment they want to create. From here PEL creates a play list, advertisements and promotional messages to match this exact ambience, all played in-store using ‘Mediainstore’ software. It’s very much a tailor made service, rather than off the shelf CD packages which used to be the norm.
But a dedicated radio station sounds like it’s going to take a big chunk out of the budget. Fear not, as much of the interest in in-store radio is actually coming from the finance departments – and they know how to get value for money! Assuming a store already has a sound system in place, in-store radio costs very little when you consider how much retailers spend on visual in-store marketing collateral. Unlike graphics which have to be designed, printed, delivered to each store, put up, then taken down and replaced, with in-store radio you have a one off payment for the hardware and then simply pay for the music / ad / promo voice over service (the audio equivalent of the visual ‘design’ aspect). There’s no print, no delivery costs, no need for staff intervention. And when you think about it, this also makes it more environmentally friendly than graphics – an added bonus.
The other benefit is that in-store radio doesn’t interfere with our visual sense - its not detracting from the stock and the look of the environment and takes up absolutely no space in the shop itself.
Retailers up and down the country are seeing the benefits to be had from in-store radio. JD Sports, for example, installed ‘Mediainstore’ into its store in The Trafford Centre, Manchester. JD went a step further and used the system to not only provide up to the minute music but also drive banks of LCD screens. These screens were installed by PEL in various strategic points around the store, on which they display in-store ads, graphics and exclusive product. The images, which are fed via a single feed into each column, appear simultaneously around the store thanks to ‘Mediainstore’s’ use of a screen matrix system. The music can also be linked to the imagery.
JD Sports chose the system because of its ability to handle audio and video simultaneously and process music updates quickly, efficiently and simply via an ftp site every month. Content is stored digitally, which enables substantially more music to be saved to the hard drive allowing greater music scheduling.
With high street retailers feeling the pinch, adopting in-store radio to maximise sales, reinforce branding and make the shopping experience a more pleasurable one is surely a trick not to be missed!
‘Mediainstore’ is available exclusively from PEL Music & Media. It can be used with any in store audio system and has the added backing of PEL’s 30 years of experience in design, supply and install of sound systems. For sales information please contact PEL Music & Media on 020 8839 2100 or go to www.pelmusic.co.uk
Mediainstore Brochure Download
Filed under: Sound — Pel @ 12:27 pm
April 24th, 2008
As one of the UK’s foremost providers of commercial fire, security and communication systems, PEL Services Ltd. has been awarded the fire detection and emergency lighting maintenance contract for Housing 21’s Central East region.
Housing 21 owns or manages over 15,000 sheltered and extra care residential flats for older people and is one of the largest providers of home care services in the country including generic, specialist and culturally appropriate services. Housing 21 continues to modernise and improve facilities by consistently delivering substantial programmes of new development and renovation.
As part of that commitment to tenants, Housing 21 operates wide ranging maintenance programmes, of which fire detection and emergency lighting is key.
PEL Services was awarded a fully comprehensive three years plus one maintenance contract to cover all Housing 21’s properties in the Central East region. In addition to the statutory routine maintenance programme, PEL engineers attend to fault calls 24/7.
The only company to be awarded a fire detection and emergency lighting maintenance contract that Housing 21 hasn’t previously employed, PEL Services was delighted with the outcome. Housing 21 awarded the contract to PEL following evaluation based upon the perceived quality of service, customer support and value for money and states they pleased to have established this working partnership.
PEL Services operates nationally throughout the UK and EIRE, supporting markets as diverse as local authorities, public utilities, finance, healthcare and retail.
For sales information please contact PEL Services Ltd on 020 8839 2100 or go to www.pelmaintenance.co.uk or the group web site www.pel.co.uk.
Filed under: Maintenance and Service — Pel @ 3:21 pm
April 3rd, 2008
Following a successful training day on the 2nd April 2008, held at PEL’s Northolt office, PEL has been awarded the highly desirable “Mitsubishi Approved Installer Status”.
After an earlier introduction to Mitsubishi’s range of Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), PEL’s Training Manager, David Barnhurst, said: “It is essential the company be able offer and support the high quality Mitsubishi range of DVRs which are capable of providing significant benefits for PEL’s customers”. In order to achieve this, training was organised as soon as busy schedules would allow.
The key benefits identified and offered as standard by Mitsubishi’s range of DVRs being:
Training was given and Approved Installer Status awarded by Mitsubishi’s Sales Manager, Dean Kemp, who said: “We are pleased to welcome aboard an organisation such as PEL who not only have the expertise, but also an engineering network throughout the UK and Eire capable of supporting the full range of Mitsubishi Electric products”.
For further details please contact PEL on 020 8839 2100. Full information on the Mitsubishi DVRs will be included within the security pages of www.pel.co.uk soon.
* Established in 1989, the Kalagate Imagery Bureau is a leading provider of Forensic Imagery Interpretation and Analysis Services within the UK, and has a well-merited international reputation that extends beyond the law enforcement and legal community. Kalagate’s customers include every Police Force in England and Wales, many in Scotland, the Garda, in addition to the Crown Prosecution Service and other Government Departments.
Filed under: Security — Pel @ 4:19 pm
March 19th, 2008
Mediainstore from PEL Music and Media is a fresh, innovative concept in retail radio and in-store audio promotion, providing retailers with a unique, tailor made service to reinforce their brand and differentiate themselves from the fierce competition on the high street.
Whilst retailers have long been aware that the ambient mix in their stores is essential in targeting the right customers and securing sales, sound has often taken a back seat. But retailers who want to stay one step ahead of the competition are beginning to understand the impact sound - which includes music, advertisements and sales promotions – can have in reinforcing their brand and increasing sales.
With Mediainstore, creating a sound that is unique to you is now both possible and cost-effective.
As part of the Mediainstore service, PEL Music & Media works closely with retailers to understand their precise sound requirements and the type of environment they want to create. From here PEL creates a play list, advertisements and promotional messages to match this exact ambience, all played out in store using Mediainstore software.
Unlike other in-store radio products and services on the market, Mediainstore is exceptionally flexible. Mediainstore ensures a retailer’s ‘sound’ is as unique to their brand as are their logos and in-store design. Furthermore, Mediainstore can be designed to cover all branches simultaneously to present the impression of a dedicated, live radio station as well as meeting individual store needs, such as specific regional promotions or events. Mediainstore makes the best of every sales opportunity with minimum effort.
Using the latest, foolproof sound technology and powered by BCX, Mediainstore can transmit radio programmes to every location that is set up by PEL to receive the service; there is no limit to the number of stores and even independent retailers with as little as a single store can benefit from the service. Content can be stored digitally, allowing for regular updates by ADSL, Broadband or CD, making the system far less vulnerable to equipment failure than other broadcast methods.
Mediainstore can be used with any in store audio system and has the added backing of PEL’s 35 years of experience in design, supply and install of sound systems.
With a succession of stores up and down the country such as JD Sports and Thorntons benefiting from Mediainstore, you can rely on PEL to show you how to adapt to tomorrow’s needs so you’re always one step ahead of the competition!
For sales information please contact PEL Music & Media on 020 8839 2100 or go to www.pelmusic.co.uk
Filed under: Sound — Pel @ 3:29 pm
March 19th, 2008
PEL Services Ltd., a leading UK systems company that designs, supplies, installs, commissions and maintains sound, fire, security & communications systems, is pleased to announce that it has been appointed as a Bose Pro-Partner to support the activities of its music and media division.
As a Bose Pro-Partner, PEL is now an authorised dealer for the entire Bose Professional Systems range which includes its world renowned speakers and electronics to meet the demanding requirements of professional applications.
PEL Services has a full supply, design and installation capability using the Bose range of professional audio solutions, supported by product and technical information, marketing and demonstration materials available from Bose.
PEL joins Bose Professional Systems worldwide network of installation partners.
According to John Sabell, Manager of Bose Professional Systems Division, “Bose is extremely pleased to welcome PEL as one of our carefully selected installation partners. The company’s expertise across many markets, including education, leisure and retail, will gain us access to a whole new group of potential customers. In turn, we hope that the Bose brand will open new doors for PEL.”
Bose introduced its Pro-Partner strategy almost five years ago, with the aim of ensuring that the standard of all installations matched the high quality of the Bose product range. All installations are now undertaken by this select network of authorised installation partners, all of whom have undertaken a series of training courses and have the full support of the Bose engineering, sales and marketing team.
Filed under: Sound — Pel @ 2:22 pm
March 8th, 2008
A specialised intercom system that is installed to a high standard, having a back-up emergency battery supply and is constantly self-monitoring for faults upon the system.
In an emergency situation, a disabled person can go to a safe area or “refuge” and communicate with fire marshals or emergency services via an intercom which is of a traditional handset style or hands free operation. Alerted to the disabled persons position and circumstances, a decision can be made to mount a rescue or to remain in the refuge, if that is the best option.
The Refuge Call System is similar to a Fire Telephone System and both
systems may be incorporated into one system. Both systems should be
installed to BS5839 part 9 “Emergency Voice Communication Systems”
Filed under: DDA — Pel @ 11:29 am
March 8th, 2008
The Disability Discrimination Act is legislation to promote civil rights for disabled people and protect disabled people from discrimination. The Act gives disabled people rights in the areas of: employment; education; access to goods, facilities and services; buying or renting land or property.
The Act also allows government to set minimum standards so that disabled people can use public transport easily.
For many years PEL has been designing, installing, commissioning and maintaining Sound, Fire, Security and Communication Systems for all industry sectors, and with the right planning and design, the aims of DDA can easily be accomplished.
PEL can supply more DDA information in key areas of:
Filed under: DDA — Pel @ 11:26 am
