MTI Introduces Freedom LP Merchandising System

Unique interactive display specifically designed for merchandising of latest in MP3 players, mobile phones, PDAs and similar must-have electronic products

 

 

 

Hillsboro, Ore. - July 11, 2006 - With portable MP3 players, mobile phones and PDAs in heavy demand today, retailers have a growing need for displays that effectively market these palm-sized electronic products. MTI has taken the industry lead in responding, and today is announcing full production release of the first display specifically designed for this class of handheld products. The company has already received several orders for this new solution, called Freedom LP™.

Among its customers is Ultimate Electronics, a home entertainment and consumer electronics products retailer serving nine states in the Midwest and Southwest. Ultimate Electronics is deploying an initial set of Freedom LP displays to showcase its line of premier products, including the Apple iPod®. Offering an enhanced in-store experience, Ultimate Electronics encourages consumers to interact and experience technology in a friendly, informative and easy-to-use environment.

"Freedom LP is a perfect solution for us for several reasons," said Jim Pierce, vice president of merchandising for Ultimate Electronics. "Its design draws attention to these high tech, high touch products but never overpowers them. We know this accounts for the sales lift we're seeing in certain SKUs such as the iPod. Also, because of Freedom LP's unique security features, we expect to strongly exceed our loss-prevention goals in this must-have product category."

For Ultimate Electronics and other retailers, Freedom LP is especially attractive because it represents a new and highly effective solution for merchandising mobile phones, MP3 players and other small-scale electronic products. It has already proven to increase customer interest in these products, while enabling retailers to display them securely and maintain the look and feel of the department and store.

Drawing on the engineering innovations of the existing Freedom™ product, Freedom LP incorporates MTI's unique universal power feature, which gives customers hands-on access to fully functional products across the display. This contributes to a more satisfying shopping experience that both heightens the purchase decision and increases sales across the range of displayed products.

Freedom LP is also offered with a selection of smart power cables to accommodate different product makes and models. Whenever the retailer adds a new device to the display, the SKU-specific Smart Cable provided will automatically deliver the appropriate power voltage, eliminating the need to manually re-program the display for each new SKU that is added.

The system is available in various configurations, including a flush-mount grommet base, or a one-inch domed base that holds products at a 30-degree angle. Flush-mount grommet bases can be installed on a horizontal or vertical mounting surface to suit retailer's needs Regardless of mounting angle, all of the base options auto-rotate a product to the front-facing position when the customer places it back on the display.

Security on Freedom LP is both mechanical and electronic. First, the display secures each product to a mounting puck with VHB (very high bond) adhesive and with security bands if desired. Second, a series of audible and visual alarms (e.g., buzzers and LEDs) are built into the display, and retailers can choose alarm package configurations representing the best-cost solutions for their needs.

Retailers periodically need to update their displays to accommodate newly introduced products or to perform routine maintenance due to ordinary wear and tear. Freedom LP's modular design makes the swapping out of products a simple operation and allows for field-replacement of individual components rather than the entire display itself. This minimizes the time and labor required for both tasks and keeps costs down.

"Taken together, these features make Freedom LP a compelling merchandising solution for retailers who wish to carry these new, highly desirable products," said Eric Pitt, MTI's product manager for the hand-held consumer electronic products market. "Further, they contribute to a cost of ownership that simply can't be matched by other manufacturers' merchandising display offerings."

About Ultimate Electronics

Ultimate Electronics, a private consumer electronics company, is the leader in home and car entertainment. Based in Colorado for 37 years, the company has 32 superstores in nine states, including Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Ultimate Electronics provides the industry's most comprehensive selection of name brand consumer electronics with an emphasis on limited distribution, mid-to-upscale brands. With the industry's leading 60-day price and service guarantee, consumers take home peace of mind with every new purchase – absolute satisfaction and assurance that customers never pay more is guaranteed. Superstores are complete with multiple home theater and audio demonstration rooms as well as service-driven sales consultants that are knowledgeable and passionate about consumer electronics. To learn more visit www.ultimateelectronics.com

About MTI

Headquartered in Hillsboro, Ore., MTI is a privately held company that has been building interactive merchandising displays for consumer electronics retailers since 1977. It remains the leading provider of turn-key solutions, including design, fabrication, installation and support. Four of the top five consumer electronics retailers in the U.S. build their sales with MTI displays, which include Freedom Universal™ and Freedom LP™, Intuition™ (a digital signage solution family), and Audition™ (a store-wide signal switching system) For more information, contact the company at 1050 NW 229th Ave., Hillsboro, OR 97124, 503.648.6500 x 357, or visit www.mti-interactive.com