Displaysense News & Blogs

Android Mannequin in Tokyo Window Display

February 7th, 2012

A Tokyo department store has recently unveiled an unusual shop window display.

The store window of Takashimaya, situated in the Shinjuku entertainment district, is now home to an incredibly realistic mannequin robot.

This mannequin android is currently being used to highlight the stores Valentines Day special offers.

Built by renowned inventor Dr Hiroshi Ishiguro, the robotic mannequin is able to achieve up to 60 realistic facial expressions as well as smiling, blinking and even yawning.

Dr Ishiguro is already well known for his work at Osaka University’s Robotic laboratory and the creation of the ‘Geminoid’ robots.

However, his work displayed in the window of Takashimaya is a potentially important development in the future of mannequin displays.

Japan Trends quoted Dr. Ishiguro saying: “I see this as the future of shop displays. We have tried to make it more lifelike through not programming her to react to every shopper in sudden movements but in a more natural way and arranged her in a pose as if waiting for someone”.

Could this remarkable piece of technology usher in a new dawn of moving, interactive shop fittings and window displays?

Only time will tell, and with Japan far and away the leaders in robotic research and technology it could be some time before we see such displays hitting the streets of Europe.

170,000 Clothes Hangers Needed for Olympic Village

February 2nd, 2012

In a ceremony marking just 6 months until the 2012 Olympic games commence, organisers have officially taken control of the accommodation for the athletes.

The Olympic Village features more than 2,800 flats designed to hold 16,000 participants in the international sporting event.

It has been revealed that an incredible 170,000 clothes hangers will be needed to meet the demands of the athletes and officials residing in the village.

This incredible amount of coat hangers is mentioned alongside a large list of furniture and accessories including 64,000 bed sheets, 11,000 sofas and 5,000 toilet brushes.

Talking to the BBC, John Nicholson from the ODA said “The idea is to try and ensure that we’re combining the requirements of the athletes during the Games with the requirements of the local community in the legacy after the Games”

The ‘Village Plaza’ will serve as the main social hub of the games.

This plaza will feature shops and services for the athletes including cafes, general stores, a bank, internet and wi-fi areas and more.

The Olympic village is planned to be turned into part-affordable after the conclusion of the games.

Delayed Ban on Tobacco Shop Fitting Displays

January 20th, 2012

Retailers of larger stores in Scotland have seen the legislation that would have prevented them from displaying tobacco in its current form shelved.

Originally intended to come into effect some time in April, the restrictions on how larger shops can display cigarettes and other smoking materials will have to be reassessed.

The move to restrict how shop fittings can be used to display tobacco is part of a mounting attempt by many international governments to “ protect children and young people from the promotion of tobacco.”

Smaller shop owners will see the legislation come into effect in 2015.

The ban will make it an offence to display tobacco or smoking-related products.

Only an area measuring less than 1000 sq cm will be permitted to be on open and on display when a sale is being made.

A proposed fixed penalty fine of £200 will be in place for those who fail to adhere to these new strict shop fitting display laws.

Other measure involving bans on vending machines and tougher penalties for those selling tobacco to under 18s is all part of Scotlands increasing campaign to “make cigarettes less attractive and accessible to young people”.

image: idea go / freedigitalphotos.net

Shop Fittings Security Warning from British Retail Consortium

January 18th, 2012

The British Retail Consortium’s (BRC’s) Retail Crime Survey 2011 has painted a worrying picture for UK high street businesses in regard to store security and retail theft.

The survey, published on Monday (16th January 2012) reports that the overall cost of retail crime has risen by up to 31%.

This increase, with a cost of around £1.4 billion, is being largely attributed to an increase in organised criminal enterprises targeting the retail sector.

A notable mention in the report was the apparent rise in the use of weapons and physical violence.

Robberies on the retail industry have increased by 20 per cent, as has the cost-per-incident which now stands at £989.

The total value of goods stolen over 2011 is up £10 million on 2010 to a staggering £147 million.

However, the report also highlights that there have been fewer incidents for many types of crime. It seems that this decrease in other forms of retail theft has been due to increased use of more secure shop fittings.

Many businesses took steps to improve the security of their retail shop fittings in the wake of the August riots.

Stephen Robertson, the Director General of the BRC was quoted in the report as saying: “Retailers have made significant investment to protect their staff, stock and premises from opportunistic crime. The falling number of many types of crime is testament to the sector’s own efforts.”

He continued: “What is left is a core of more serious and organised criminals who are making off with goods in larger quantities and of higher value. These are violent law-breakers who pose a danger to society at large, not solely the retail sector.”

Ohio Gunman Turns Out To Be Mannequin

January 13th, 2012

Police in the US state of Ohio are reportedly pursuing charges against a prankster who’s practical joke got out of hand.

Tammy Moore, 46, is now facing charges of ‘inducing panic’ for a family joke that deputies apparently fail to see the funny side of.

Police in Bethel Township were called after a figure was spotted on a front porch brandishing a suspected firearm.

After arriving at the scene, drawing their weapons and reportedly attempting to negotiate with the intruder the police realised it was, in fact, a dressed up mannequin complete with toy shotgun.

Video of the realistic mannequin shows it to be dressed in a chequered red and black hooded top and blue jeans.

The family involved have been quoted as saying they ‘have a history of pulling pranks on each other’.

This latest mannequin incident may encourage the family to think again next time they decide to play a joke.

Margaret Thatcher Mannequins On Display To Celebrate Film Release

January 11th, 2012

A handbag designer based in Pont Street, has recently installed several mannequins in the image of Margaret Thatcher.

Coinciding with the release of Oscar-tipped film “The Iron Lady”, the Anya Hindmarch store now boasts several incredibly well decorated mannequins that capture her image superbly.

The display truly shows what can be achieved with a well thought out mannequin display.

Each mannequin is dressed in the ex Prime Minister’s signature blue tweed clothing, pearls and unmistakable hair-style, courtesy of some quality wigs.

Anya Hindmarch was quoted as saying: ‘The cleverest thing about Thatcher’s image was how her clothes never detracted from her character.”

“That was quite a feat, I suspect, to look good and still not be talked about for your clothes”.

Professional help appears to have been drafted in to help create such a dazzling display.

Costume designer Tamar Zaig, who created the Spitting Image puppet of Thatcher, collaborated with Hindmarch on the mannequins.

‘The Iron Lady’, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, has received particular praise for Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Baroness Thatcher.

Police Crack Down on Indian Tattoo Artist’s Mannequin

January 6th, 2012

Indian police have reportedly charged a local tattoo artist with an obscenity charge over a mannequin he was using to display his work.

Nirav Brahmbhatt was apparently arrested for ‘publicly displaying obscene objects and offending public morality’.

The artist, whose business lies near the Shivranjani crossroads in Ahmedabad, was later bailed.

Police reportedly found a male and female mannequin at the tattoo studio, both of which were covered with tattoos to show customers how each tattoo would look on their body.

The male mannequin appears to have been left alone, however the female mannequin was covered up with a shirt.

A Police spokesman said: “Passersby, many of them women and children, found the nude mannequins obscene. We sent a police team there and arrested the artist.”

Stolen Wiltshire Lectern Turns Up in Romanian Village

January 5th, 2012

A church lectern that was stolen from a Wiltshire church has reportedly been seen in a Romanian village.

A member of the public noticed an engraving on the lectern which mentioned the Holy Cross Church in Ashton Keynes.

After checking on the internet to check if it was a stolen piece, the man contacted Wiltshire police.

PC Steve Harvey was quoted as saying that the discovery was “…completely out of the blue”.

He continued: “I thought it was a scam email but it had a mobile number on it. So I called the person” … “and he said he’d seen this unusual piece in a village in Romania and when he looked at it – he noticed the Ashton Keynes engraving.”

Thought to be worth around £2000, the 4ft brass lectern, which features an eagle design, went missing an unknown time ago.

The church artefact was thought to have been melted down but now looks likely to be returned.

Working alongside Interpol, Wiltshire Police are continuing to investigate the lecterns current location.

Clothes Rails Swarmed in Post-Christmas Shopping Spree

December 29th, 2011

UK retailers enjoyed buoyant sales as consumers fought through the post-Christmas lethargy and hit the high street.

Up to 1 million shoppers are expected to swarm the clothes racks and fashion displays at Kent’s Bluewater shopping centre this week.

Elsewhere, retailers in Oxford Street and Regent Street reported sales were up almost 10% on 2009.

Boxing day trading was described as “very robust”, despite a tube strike, as consumers looked to get an early deal before the January sales.

Fears that the tube strike could have major negative effects for retailers over the Christmas break now look to have been largely unfounded.

Mild weather also seems to have encouraged consumers to venture onto the high street over the bank holidays.

The buoyant trading was also echoed around other parts of the country as retailers enjoyed a busy dénouement to 2011.

Christmas & New Years Opening Hours At Displaysense

December 21st, 2011

There are now only a few more days left until everyone shuts up shop and enjoys Christmas and the new year!

Although we’ll be shutting down for a couple of days we understand that your display needs don’t completely disappear over the holiday period so we’re staying open for many of the days between now and the start of 2012.

So no matter what shop fittings you’re after you’ll be able to order online every day in December and we’ll process and dispatch the order as soon as we’re back in.

If you order next day delivery before 2pm on Thursday 22nd December you’ll still receive your good in time for Christmas.

Order a next day delivery before 2pm on Thursday 29th December to receive goods in time for the new year.

2012 promises more new products (including even more display cabinets), bigger special offers and even better value for our customers.

From all the team here at Displaysense we wish you a Merry Christmas and very happy new year!

Here are our opening hours for the holiday period: