Fujifilm Joins in Recognizing Dazzling Storefront Merchandising

Henderson, NV, July 10, 2009 –Independent Photo Imagers (IPI)  recognized winners of the IPI Window Display Contest at their annual Members Meeting and Trade Show this week at the Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, NV. The contest, driven by contenders’ ability to promote their photo business and increase store traffic, was open to all IPI members and ran from April 15 through June 30.

Sponsored by FUJIFILM  U.S.A., Inc., the competition was inspired by Fujifilm’s “Dazzling Window Displays” webinar, the first in a year-long series of Marketing Know-How Webinars offered to IPI members. Contestants were judged on creativity, originality, composition and arrangement, and relevancy to topic.

“The world of digital imaging has challenged photo retailers to be remarkably flexible,” said Joellyn Gray, director of marketing, Fujifilm U.S.A., Inc.  “Photo specialty retailers are no longer print centers or camera shops; they are also gift shops and need to be experts in visual merchandising and display to drive revenue.”

First prize, an Epson/Fujifilm 7880 Wide Format Printer, was awarded to Phil Gresham at Fotofast in Queensland, Australia, whose display was designed to call out, “Photo Books Created in Minutes”.  The display communicated the simplicity of photo book creation and promised to be “made-while-you-shop,” helping to break down the barrier for many attempting to produce a photo book for the first time.

Larry and Dee Steiner of Spectrum Photo and Digital Services in Ashland, Ohio took second prize, a Fujifilm IP-10 Passport System, for creating a simple but impactful newborn baby-themed display that showcased  poster-size prints promoting custom birth announcements.

James Park of Colortek walked away with third prize, a Fujifilm FinePix Z33 Digital Camera, for an eye-catching window display of posters and photo merchandise designed to generate excitement around photo gifting.

“All IPI members and the IPI Board of Directors are extremely grateful that Fujifilm has taken a major proactive step in providing monthly webinars for all IPI members,” said Brent Bowyer, Executive Director of IPI.  “Congratulations to our winners who were selected from close to 100 entries.”   

Eligible IPI Window Display Contest entrees included counter, wall and window displays. In all, 94 IPI members participated in the competition.  

About Independent Photo Imagers
Independent Photo Imagers (IPI) is the nation’s largest buying group for service specialty retailers. With over 550 members and in excess of 750 storefront locations in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Australia, IPI members are the leaders in the network of image capture and image archiving businesses worldwide. (www.ipiphoto.com)

About FUJIFILM
FUJIFILM Corporation brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, photofinishing equipment, medical systems, life sciences, graphic arts, flat panel display materials, and office products, based on a vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company was among the top 15 companies around the world granted U.S. patents in 2008, employs more than 70,000 people worldwide and in the year ended March 31, 2009, had global revenues of $24 billion. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.

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