IKEA rolls out Protouch kiosks for loyalty scheme

IKEA, the home furnishings giant, has implemented a suite of self service kiosks to improve customer in-store experience.

Customers use the self service kiosks to sign up to join the IKEA FAMILY loyalty scheme.

IKEA needed a quick, easy and instant way for customers to apply to its IKEA FAMILY loyalty scheme in store and implemented a suite of Xen X5 kiosks as the means to do so.

Studies show that loyalty cards are a vital tool to improve profitability and one of the most cost effective ways to build brand loyalty and improve customer retention. The self-service kiosks offer customers the convenience of signing up in-store and in addition, loyalty scheme customers benefit further by being the first to know of upcoming promotions, sales and events via on screen information targeted solely at them.

Tim Schroons of IKEA Belgium said, "We are very happy with the IKEA FAMILY registration kiosks that are installed in all Belgian IKEA stores. They allow us to have a much more efficient way of recruiting new IKEA FAMILY members without the presence of a co-worker being required. This versatile solution allows us to recruit new members and have existing members print out a temporary card or update their customer profile in a user friendly way".

Quant Marketing created the concept for the kiosk solution during its marketing-led IT projects in 2008 and selected Protouch as its hardware partner.

They are made from Protouch's Xen X5 kiosk with 19" touch screens, 80mm receipt printers, keyboards and look great in store with full cover branded laminates and bright orange paint work.

Tom Quarry, managing director of Protouch comments: "We are really excited to be involved in Quants's kiosk solution for IKEA. It is great to see our touch screen kiosks working so well within the project by improving IKEA's operations and enhancing in-store experience for its customers".

18 kiosks are currently in use across 6 Belgian stores with a potential rollout to further IKEA stores in Europe.

The Xen X5

The award-winning X5 is the star of the Xen kiosks after winning the Retail Systems Awards 2008 EPoS innovation of the year.

Its smart blend of form, function and price has provided a leader for the EPoS market and shows the way for evolving retail environments.

Designed for easy upgrading and available with a number of additional options the EPoS solution it doesn't stop as an EPoS unit though; many additional features can be added to the X5 to turn it into a ticket collection, customer loyalty or a home delivery system. And, with its extended back the internal parts can be fitted without it losing its slim profile.

Its steel, strong body and vandal resistant powder coat finish are scratch resistant and easy to clean. It can be branded with a customised vinyl logo or full colour graphic covering front and/or back and additionally finished to specific RAL colour.

And, if the self service kiosk has no permanent location you can use its custom-made flight case to transport to its next spot.

For more information please contact:

Amanda Wallace at a.wallace@protouch.co.uk.

Notes to the editor

At Protouch we're all about touch screens; every piece of hardware we sell or rent has one. In fact we're touch screen people pure and simple.

We roll out touch screen kiosks, monitors & PCs, EPoS systems and large format digital signage across all industries and each one can be specially made to a brief. We think it's this dedication that's made us the no.1 supplier of touch screens and kiosks in the UK, because we don't just sell, we evolve.

Every product and service we offer is there to provide our customers and the industry with the right solution at the right time. We can do everything from in store payment, ordering, product look up, receipt / ticket printing, RFID, Bluetooth, branding and much more.

Our products have optimised the sales and services of clients such as Specsavers, Sports World, Ikea and Kiddicare and currently we are trialling kiosks for several other high profile companies which will lead to further substantial roll outs.

In 2008 we won 'EPoS innovation of the year' for our revolutionary in store kiosk solution at the Retail Systems Awards 2008; were awarded ISO 9001 certification in recognition of our high standard of Quality Management Systems and relocated our manufacturing site and offices to a purpose built 22 000ft² facility in Camberley, Surrey.