Posted on 03/12/2022 8:02:19 AM PST by BenLurkin
The screens...use a system of motion sensors and cameras to display what's inside the doors — as well as product information, prices, deals and, most appealing to brands, paid advertisements. The tech provides stores with an additional revenue stream and a way to modernize ["modernize"?] the shopping experience.
The company wants to engage more people with advertising, but the reaction, so far, is annoyance and confusion.
"Who on God's green earth thought this was a good idea?" "The digital cooler screens at Walgreens made me watch an ad before it allowed me to know which door held the frozen pizzas,"
Cooler Screens CEO Avakian said he developed the concept after watching in-store customers whip out their phones to find product information and reviews. Traditionally, in-store advertising has been limited to options like signs, promotions and prominent placement on shelves. But Cooler Screens' targeted digital ads deliver at the "moment of truth," Avakian said, right as consumers decide which product to pull out of the fridge.
Brands can place ads spread over multiple freezers, ones that display products' nutritional labels, or ads triggered by weather or time of day. An ice cream company might want to run ads when it's hot outside, while a coffee brand could hit the morning rush.
The setup aims to help stores add high-margin advertising revenue to offset their core low-margin retail business.
Avakian insists the tech is "identity-blind" and protects consumers' privacy. The freezers have front-facing sensors used to anonymously track shoppers interacting with the platform, while internally facing cameras track product inventory.
Some customers have expressed frustration with the experience.
The items on display don't always match up with what's inside because products are out of stock.
"We see advertisements literally everywhere and now I have to go see it on the cooler?"
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Japan in the 80’s was way ahead of us. Smaller refrigerators with these windows/screens. Then there was the small on-demand wall mounts for hot water. Not too much force but hot nonetheless. They know more about energy.
Another very dumb idea dreamed up by highly paid marketing VPs.
Of course the shelves in the coolers are half empty.
And at gas pumps… that is really not a good time to try and sell me something.
I can’t see how this is beneficial to the customer if you can’t see what’s inside.
There’s a set of four buttons on each side of the screen. The second button down on the right side shuts off the volume at my local Circle K. (Every new customer has to hit the button.) But none of the buttons do it at their rival across the street. So, I asked Bubba (real name) at the Circle K and he said, “Yeah, that’s an option I turned on. Amazing how many people figured it out.” So, guess which store gets my business.
Remember when cable TV was commercial-free?
But Cooler Screens’ targeted digital ads deliver at the “moment of truth,” Avakian said, right as consumers decide which product to pull out of the fridge.
—
We’re veering rapidly toward the world of Idiocracy; advertising plastered on everything. I’m waiting for people to name themselves after consumer products.
Pepperidge Farm Remembers!
No, not at all.
What channels were commercial free?
Who buys chilled food at a Walgreens? That’s what Publix is for. Walgreens is for band aids and cigarettes.
I hate that annoyance too. You can mute that, but the button isn’t labeled as such. Push every button except “cancel” and the sound will mute.
Yes. That was my first thought as well.
CNN, when it first started. I think TBS was the same.
From Blade Runner?
I loathe those too! Used to be able to turn down or mute them, but not always now. And usually between commercials blaring loud obnoxious music that I hate as well
Yup. I was already thinking about taking thin magnets and jamming the doors open each time one is opened.
Thank you!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.