Electrified Urban Transport

Recall we experimented with Segways in our innovation center,  and observed them being used in locations like the grocery store 'Jungle Jims'.      Here more about typical  human transportation. But do consider that we now expect to be able to carry things with us as well.

SEGWAYS, SCOOTERS, AND SKATEBOARDS: THE NEW ELECTRIFIED URBAN TRANSPORTATION  from Boundmotor.com

March 31, 2021

When Carl Benz applied for a patent for his “vehicle powered by a gas engine” in January 1886, he ignited what would later become a revolution in transportation. Over the centuries, improvements would be made to Benz’s idea, which ultimately led to making privately owned cars and large-scale projects like buses and subway systems central to urban mobility. Popular as they are, the traditional modes of public transportation like privately owned cars, public buses, and subways have their challenges. They are expensive to establish and maintain, result in gridlocks, pollution, and a shortage of parking in most major cities. Within the context of the challenges related to traditional forms of mass transportation, the Segway’s introduction in 2001 started a trend of replacing large-scale public infrastructure with small, one-person electric vehicles. McKinsey & Company, the management consultancy firm, calls this type of transportation micromobility. This article looks at the evolution of one-person electric modes of transport and how they have impacted urban transportation. We start by focusing on the urban transport challenges that have made one-person electric vehicles a growing urban transit option. We then look into the history of these forms of transport and some safety tips for people using them.

CHALLENGES OF TRADITIONAL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE URBAN TRANSPORTATION

The challenges associated with extensive public transportation projects are well documented. An article published by Australia’s University of Melbourne puts these challenges into perspective. It says, “Chronic losses of life on roadways, dangerous deterioration in air quality, and worldwide accumulation of atmospheric carbon can no longer resist the challenges of an increased population and its urbanization.” These challenges are partly responsible for the increasing trend where people prefer to use one-person electric vehicles.  ... "    (Much more) 

Jungle Jims, Foodie Adventures

Am a long-time shopper at Jungle Jims.  Every week.   Also led many tours there for our innovation groups from all over the world.  Saw this article and had to quote it.   Lots of pictures at the link.  Many expert opinions.    Want my further thoughts, let me know.   Many past posts in its embedded concepts.   If you come here,  just outside of Cincinnati, let me know and I may join the tour.   Also more expert opinion below:

Jungle Jim’s delivers a foodie adventure  by Denise Leathers in Retailwire
Through a special arrangement, presented here for discussion is an excerpt of a current article from Frozen & Refrigerated Buyer magazine.

Part traditional supermarket, part theme park and part United Nations, a visit to Cincinnati-based Jungle Jim’s International Market is truly an event.

From the life-size giraffe lounging by the pool in the parking lot and the singing animatronics inside to the S.S. Minnow replica and 800-pound tube of provolone hanging in an endcap, there’s a lot to see. Scads of festivals, tastings and cooking classes further make Jungle Jim’s a popular destination for out-of-town visitors.

And did we mention the working monorail that ferries visitors to and from the nearby Oscar Event Center?

When Jungle Jim Bonaminio founded the business in 1971, the concept of “retailtainment” hadn’t yet been conceived, but his ahead-of-its-time solution was to make shopping fun. In fact, that’s one of the reasons Jungle Jim’s still doesn’t offer online ordering. “Our stores are an adventure,” says senior buyer and category manager Chris Vollat. “They’re meant to be shopped, not picked like a warehouse.”  .... " 

Retail as Theater

Being close to Jungle Jims near Cincinnati, and have taken many international tour groups there,  so its a long time interest.  Hard to pull off, but always makes me smile and delight, and that gets me back there many more times than I would have.  This is somewhat different, and I imagine harder yet to deliver on.   But well worth the idea.  I also see that Jungle Jims food blog has been discontinued, too bad,  but had noted it was not updated enough.   ... Oh, pardon me, nix that ... their blog has been updated by another, which is here.

New concept turns retail store into a theatrical experience  by Matthew Stern

NYC retailer Showfields, a brick-and-mortar showcase for mostly online brands, is getting in on the experiential act with a theatrical guided tour called House of Showfields. 

To begin of the 20-minute immersive tour in the Showfields store, actors show customers the way through a hidden door on the third floor behind a bookcase (from a Showfields-hosted brand), according to a media release. The door leads to a spiral slide down to the building’s second floor, where actors then guide guests through rooms where they interact with products from brands that Showfields sells. 

In an interview with RetailWire, Showfields CEO and co-founder Tal Zvi Nathanel expanded on what visitors (who must RSVP for the experience) should expect. 

“You’re going through this very detailed and high-touch type of scene that you walk into,” Mr. Nathanel said. “From the door to the elevator to secret back doors … Everything is really fun and at each part of it you will meet a different actor who plays a different character and walks you through a specific kind of moment, which together have one cohesive narrative. The goal is to arouse your senses, give you a memorable moment, an emotional connection, allow you to connect with other people which are with you in that space right now … to give you a way to experience product in a fun way.” 

Mr. Nathanel would not elaborate on how the experience’s narrative arc will maintain an element of surprise, but said that the actors will portray an array of intriguing characters, such as scientists, artists, creators and explorers.  .... " 

Experiential Retail

Been a student and customer of Jungle Jims outside Cincinnati for a long time.   Semi experiential it is.    And the idea certainly be overdone.    Make sure the store is well stocked with products and relevant ideas.     Even an occasional surprise.

Is experiential retail overhyped and misunderstood?
by Doug Garnett  With expert discussion.

Through a special arrangement, presented here for discussion is a summary of a current article from the Doug Garnett’s blog.  ... 

In New York City, an “experiential” restaurant enables customers to catch trout or salmon in a countertop “river” then have it prepared for dinner. The food had better be superb to support the extraordinary prices needed to maintain catchable, edible live fish.

Still, the question of experience in the store is critical because a group of “experiencer” consultants recommend turning stores into bad amusement parks. ...  "

Macy's and Storytelling

Had previously mentioned how Jungle Jims did this.   Also saw at the recent UC Business Summit saw presentations about their approaches.  More to follow on that.

Macy’s latest acquisition is all about STORYtelling   by George Anderson in Retailwire

Macy’s, Inc. announced that it has acquired STORY, an experiential concept store in New York. STORY’s founder and CEO, Rachel Shechtman, will join Macy’s as the company’s brand experience officer focused on the retailer’s in-store experience.

STORY completely changes its store layout and merchandise every four to eight weeks, focusing on a new theme with each changeover. The concept, which was founded in 2011 by Ms. Shechtman, a former brand consultant for Kraft and TOMS shoes, emphasizes brand collaboration as it builds unique retail experiences for consumers. .... " 

“It’s exciting to have a national stage to leverage STORY’s learnings and relationships to create impact at scale,” said Ms. Shechtman. “I’m energized by the opportunity to further build new customer experiences across the Macy’s portfolio, while also continuing to pursue new business models and brand partnerships.” ...  '

Macy's Promotes Pop-Ups in Markets

I cover the local chain Macy's retail Innovations, they have been quite innovative.  Will Pop-up stores work in a brick store environment?   Jungle Jim's does this, but it seems not to great success.   Likely to do specifically with product, design and other contexts.  Refreshing also key.  Below further expert comment.

Macy’s launches in-store pop-up concept for brands  by George Anderson

"Potentially [the pop-up brand being the seller of record] makes it easier for Macy’s to bring in more interesting, emerging products."  ... Jason Goldberg   SVP of Commerce and Content Practice, SapientRazorfish

Macy’s has launched a new pop-up concept that allows brands and other companies to sell their products and services on the ground floor of the retailer’s stores.

The Market @ Macy’s is being pitched as a turnkey operational solution enabling companies to gain additional exposure to the department store’s customers without a long-term commitment. Those filling pop-up locations pay a fee to Macy’s for the space while keeping all the sales revenue. Space is rented with a one-month minimum requirement and rates are based on location. .... " 

Best Grocery Store in America

A place I have shopped many times.   Worth a tour.   Is telling stories a profitable grocery venture?  Can it work elsewhere?   Here is the best effort I know of.

Best Grocery Store in America
Jungle Jim's and the Art of the Tourist-Attraction Grocery Store
By Matt Siegel in Epicurious

A Los Angeleno travels to Ohio to meet the man behind the country's biggest weirdo supermarket. What he finds is a businessman who couldn't care less about food.

On the cover of the brochure for Jungle Jim’s International Market is an image of a middle-aged man in a wizard’s costume holding the notoriously stinky durian fruit high in the air as if an offering. Above the image, highlighted in yellow, it says, “FREE ADMISSION!” Free admission to a grocery store seems a given, but Jungle Jim’s is a “World of Food,” a “Foodie Wonderland,” an “International Food Lovers’ Paradise.” This according to the lengthy, hyper-color brochure, which is only a preview of the inevitably lengthy, hyper-color shopping experience that some 80,000 visitors per week enjoy at the seven-plus acre food-based freak-out in suburban Cincinnati.  ... " 

Can In-Store Experiences Save Retail?

I notice this article mentions my favorite experience store, Jungle Jims.   Have covered from time to time here.   Even they have been doing less of that, it seems, in recent years.  More live action is needed.   Is it enough?   Does it compete against price, selection and fast delivery?

Can In-store ‘Experiences’ Save Retail?  In Knowledge@Wharton

At the Rebecca Minkoff store in New York’s Soho, “smart” digital walls and mirrors let you tap for a different clothing size or color — as well as a free glass of champagne. At the Warby Parker store near Hollywood, you and your friends can create your own 15-second shareable video in a “green room” furnished with props and backdrops. At Jungle Jim’s International Market near Cincinnati, bizarre animatronic figures entertain you while you browse unusual gourmet foods. And at Pirch’s luxury home appliance stores, you can try out the appliances before buying them, including shower heads (just bring your own swimsuit.)

Other brick-and-mortar retailers offer cooking classes, celebrity appearances, personalized makeup advice, wine tastings: the list goes on and on. Much of this activity, of course, is intended to combat the juggernaut of online ordering via Amazon and other sites.

“The customer can get all of their clothing without ever leaving their bed,” says Stacey Bendet, CEO and creative director of designer clothing company Alice + Olivia. “So the experience in-store has to become more VIP, more exciting.”

But are these in-store “experiences” worth the effort and money that retailers are pouring into them? .... " 

Wal-Mart Decides on Fun Stories

Akin to Story telling,  Recall my mention of the local grocery chain Jungle Jim's.  Personally I think they should do more in that space to tell fun stories to attract and engage customers. Maybe with screens or ultimately with robotics.  At the right is the monstrous Jungle Jim's Shark.  Not too much of a comes story with it yet.

Virtual Safari Storytelling in Jungle Jims

The question and piece below made me think of two things.  One,  the relationship to storytelling and the ability to do that in a virtual or video environment.    Second the unique Jungle Jim's grocery store in nearby Fairfield Ohio, which we visit weekly.

It was also a place I often took visitors from Europe, China and Japan when they came to our innovation center.   We have been going there for two decades.

And while I love what they have done,  always thought they could take the storytelling metaphor a bit further.  But perhaps that could be best done economically by doing it virtually?   Struck me once while watching manager Jim roaming on his Segway in tan uniform and pith helmet.

Why can't retailers enable us to go on a virtual 'safari' in their stores? 
Google has sent their cameras to Kenya's Samburu National Reserve to enable online browsers to experience a virtual "safari" from their computer via Street View. Why can't retailers create the same experience for their stores?    .... " 

Marianos Supermarket Experience

I am used to Jungle Jim's nearby, which does provide experience, but here is yet more.  Compare it to a look at the Apple Store.

Via Steve Frenda, The Path to Purchase Institute:

Mariano's latest... A supermarket experience like I've never seen - ta •Mariano's latest... A supermarket experience like I've never seen - take a 40 photo tour. A treasure hunt and spectacular sense of theater all in one -… - Steve Frenda - Google+

A treasure hunt and spectacular sense of theater all in one - and the crowds - the energy is palpable.

- Fresh Smoothie Bar
- Custom Made Guacamole Bar
- Sushi Bar
- Oyster Bar
- Trail Mix Bar
- Meats Grilled to Order for No Charge
- Wine Bar
- Bakery Goods Beyond Compare with My Personal Favorite... Maple Bacon Long Johns
- etc. etc.

Kudos to Mariano's... I know how do they make it work financially?  ... " 

Progress in Autonomous Vehicles

In IEEE Org:  Work by Google in trying to make autonomous vehicles better than ever.  Gets back to the problem of 'autonomy' and how it can be delivered with increasingly better streams of data combined with intelligence.  Once you have autonomy, how can you then combine it with human directed decisions?

" ... Google has posted an update on its self-driving car program, which IEEE Spectrum has been watching closely for the past several years. The cars have surpassed 700,000 autonomous miles (around 1.1 million kilometers), and they're learning how to safely navigate through the complex urban jungle of city streets. Soon enough, they'll be better at it than we are. Much better. Read more in our new Cars That Think blog about the sensors, software, and systems behind self-driving cars. .. " 

Jungle Jim's Food Blog

I continue to follow the process of blogging.  Was very late to discover our Cincinnati area local ethnic food super store: Jungle Jim's Food Blog. As a long time amateur chef I find it very interesting and well done.  Recipes, images and more.  A nice way to engage your customers.  It will bring more than a few folks coming back.  Keep on blogging.

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