We Are Expanding!

At CIS, we pride ourselves with our ability to understand our client’s business objectives, crafting innovative solutions, our ability to execute complexity and delivering quality merchandising systems in a cost effective and time critical environment.  As part of our constant drive for improvement we have recently welcomed some new members to the Creative Instore Solutions team to help us on our innovation journey.

Please Welcome:

• Andrew Collingridge – Business Development Manager (Australia)
• Yonca Ongun – Supply Chain & Project Analyst (North America)
• Peter VanSickle – Business Development (Canada)
• Rick Shen  – Senior QC Project Manager (China)
• Yan Shen – Office Accountant (China)

We are delighted to have such a great bunch of people on board with us and hope to be expanding our team more in the future!

Read more about them at  http://www.creativeinstore.com/team or connect with them on LinkedIn to share the journey.

 

Creative Instore Solutions Wins Shop! Global Award For Treasury Wine Estates in Global Awards Alcoholic Drinks, Permanent in the 7th Annual Competition

10th March 2017 – Creative Instore Solutions announced today that it has won a Shop! Global Award for Treasury Wines Estates Pinnacle of Premium Wines in Alcoholic Drinks, Permanent the 7th Annual Shop! Global Awards. Hailed as the marketing-at-retail industry’s highest honor, the Shop! Global Awards, presented by Shop! association, is the leading international award honoring excellence in marketing at retail.

The winning display was required to showcase a range of Penfolds product by BIN #, while ensuring each SKU was glorified and also allowed for the product stored in singles and cases. The unit which is a 360-degree shop-able display had to be visually appealing from all sides, especially being showcased in the store window.

Ultimately the clean modern design, with black timber acted as a frame for the featured bold Penfolds branding and a “Vino Bonito” glorfiying shelf module which became the cabinet hero. The inclusion of cellar orientated singles storage, a hero shelf on the reverse of the unit ensured maximum impact from all angles.

“Companies like Creative Instore Solutions (CIS) are setting the standard for innovation and creativity in the point-of-purchase and marketing at retail industry,” said Steven Weiss, CEO of Shop!. “The Global Awards are run in 24 countries globally, and this year we received 63 entries. The winners represent the international best-in-class of in-store marketing initiatives. Congratulations to Creative Instore Solutions for achieving this incredible honor.”

“We at CIS are extremely pleased to be recognized by Shop! as a global leader in innovation and design in the point-of-purchase and marketing at retail industry. We are thrilled that activation success for our client, Treasury Wine Estates, has been recognized within the industry’s most prestigious award events. It is an honor our entire team are exceptionally proud of. ” said Lee Brown, Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Creative Instore Solutions.

Treasury Wine Estates National Category Development Manager, Dan Wales, said: “Treasury Wine Estates is focused on delivering outstanding in-store executions that disrupt shoppers and entice more people to the wine category. Visually striking and engaging displays are important for driving shopper conversion in the category and in turn maximizing category sales. We have received fantastic feedback on this particular display and are delighted that it has received global recognition.”

Creative Instore Solutions expands to West Coast USA

Global point-of-purchase design, merchandise and manufacturing company Creative Instore Solutions (CIS) are pleased to announce the official opening of its newest North American office situated in Irvine, California.

“Opening a west coast office was the logical expansion step for us, supporting our North American clients and expanding our global footprint” says Managing Director, Stephen Howell. “Complementing our east coast sales location with design, sales and production personnel in California continues CIS’ focus on USA expansion plans.

As part of the west coast expansion, CIS is pleased to also announce the appointment of Kari Webster to the role of Director of Business Development USA. Kari Webster has over 20 years of experience in the retail industry in North America. Learn more about Kari and the CIS team at CIS Team.

The Creative Instore Solutions West Coast office is located at 200 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92618 USA.

A Lifetime of Achievement

Creative Instore Solutions (CIS) triumphed at the POPAI Marketing at Retail 2016 awards, taking home numerous accolades, including a coveted Pinnacle Award for our founder Stephen John Howell.    The annual awards which recognise the most innovative and effective marketing at retail displays that lift sales and engage shoppers, culminated in a gala awards dinner held at the Doltone House Hyde Park on 15^th September 2016.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, for more than 25 years of service to the industry, went to Steve Howell CIS’ Founder and Managing Director, for his constant quest for the boundary pushing, technologically innovative perfect POS solutions.  This individual honour awarded based on his significant contribution to the industry and personal community and demonstrated ethical business practices ensure Steve will forever be listed in the POPAI Hall of Fame.

In addition to the Pinnacle Award, CIS were thrilled to continue the tradition of display activation recognition with three POPAI “Indians” awarded across multiple categories. CIS continue to be recognised as a leader in design and manufacture of iconic displays and activations by their peers.

POPAI’s General Manager Lee McClymont highlighted “The breadth and scope of the record number of entries” epitomising the diversification of retail marketing.  Winning  gold, silver and bronze “Indians” showcases the continued industry thought leadership by the entire CIS team.

As leaders in innovative brand growth solutions, Creative Instore Solutions continue to strive to create iconic units that break through the in-store visual noise for our clients. Industry acknowledgement, especially the recognition of our founder Steve Howell makes the whole team exceptionally proud” said Lee Brown, Group Sales & Marketing Manager.

 

Seasons Greetings from the CIS team

The staff at Creative Instore Solutions are taking a well-earned break from 23rd December to come back revitalised in 2016. Many of the offices globally will be closed over the holiday period giving the team time to recharge.

The last twelve months have provided many highlights for the team including BIC and CIS taking home Gold at the 2015 France POPAI Marketing at Retail awards, announced as winners in the Personal Accessories category with the Miss BIC® lighter display. The annual award winners were announced at a gala dinner held on 18th June 2015 at Salle Wagram in Paris. Representatives for both CIS and BIC were present to receive the accolade in the form of a POPAI Indian.

CIS topped off by our award triumphs at the 2015 Global POPAI Marketing at Retail awards. The team was proud to be announced as winners in the Food, Grocery & Convenience Semi-Permanent category with the Doritos Mexican Fiesta display. CIS designed and manufactured the iconic point of purchase cart that invokes the culture of Mexico while showcasing the Doritos brand.

CIS continued the annual event of showcasing the business of design to the next up and coming industrial designers by hosting over 30 Year 11 students from Knox Grammar School, an event we are looking forward to repeating in 2016.

With a continued focus for export growth through the CIS North American & European companies, it brought to light the need for up to the minute project transparency in the internal enterprise system and so July bought about the implementation of EXO. By setting up an automated real time view of the consolidated project P&L’s, departments now have real time transparency and are armed to make decisions on projects which has already proven a higher level of customer service and greater efficiency.

Whilst the year bought changes in personnel globally, in November CIS were pleased to announce the appointment of Tony Barrow to the role of Business Development Manager EMEA. Mr. Barrow will continue to expand on the success of CIS’ EMEA operations to date.

Of course this would not be possible without the continued hard work, dedication and support over the last 12 months of the entire CIS team, past and present. We are looking forward to continuing on our journey as leaders in innovative brand growth solutions in 2016.

Golden Glamour for BIC and Creative Instore Solutions

L to R: THOMAS CHOULET – Europe PLM Supply Chain Manager, BIC; ADRIANA GORNEANU – Delivery Project Manager, CIS; CELINE ALAUX- Europe Senior Packaging Engineer, BIC; SAM PURCHASE – Business Development Manager, CIS; FRANCE-MAY MARTEL- Europe Junior Purchasing Manager, BIC

BIC and Creative Instore Solutions (CIS) took home Gold at the 2015 France POPAI Marketing at Retail awards,

announced as winners in the Personal Accessories category with the Miss BIC® lighter display.  The annual award winners were announced at a gala dinner held on 18^th June 2015 at Salle Wagram in Paris. Representatives for both CIS and BIC were present to receive the accolade in the form of a POPAI Indian.

Well known lighter brand BIC® originally tasked CIS with designing and manufacturing a permanent in store display system that would capture the DNA of the Miss BIC® brand. The resulting “high heel” display unit with its small footprint and ready to use flexible configurations immediately engaged female shoppers, driving tobacco and convenience impulse lighter category sales.

“Following the original design brief from BIC, focusing on shopper emotion and engagement, CIS succeeded in pushing the activation boundaries with a fashion forward display. The resulting award winning display overcame engineering challenges allowing two and three tier configurations and still producing the iconic stiletto shape” said Jeremy Davis, Head of Creative Design, CIS. “The entire CIS team are exceptionally proud of this award winning result”.

CIS successfully highlighted BIC’s brands sophistication, creating an iconic and instantly recognisable display which allowed them to capture a permanent footprint in store with ease of merchandising and long term durability.

This is the second award winning design of in store display units designed by CIS for BIC®.

 

 

Panasonic Power Up

B&M End Cap

Panasonic Energy Europe joined forces with Creative Instore Solutions (CIS) producing a gondola end category management solution to create an in store beacon for their energy products.  The display unit to be featured in B&M, one of the fastest-growing discount retailers in the UK with over 400 stores, provided Panasonic the opportunity to showcase their product range.

From the outset Panasonic had clear display requirements specifically around not only raising the profile of the battery category but also to ensure consumers were adequately educated in their product choices, all whilst helping the retailer to differentiate their store proposition. In line with the B&M aim of providing customers with a fun and exciting shopping experience, CIS produced a bold and informative category management solution to prompt shoppers to remember battery purchases showcasing great products at exceptional value.

With a semi-permanent life expectancy, the initial roll out of the category management solution is clearly an in store success story with its high quality print and finishes. The unit communicates core brand messages to consumers including anti-leak protection whilst showcasing calls to action close to the till. CIS ensured a fresh look for gondola end display perfectly showcasing the vast array of Panasonic product giving the brand a clear in store brand identity.

“We are excited to be collaborating with Panasonic Energy Europe who align with CIS brand values including our unwavering pursuit of customer focus and retailer value add “said Steve Howell, Creative Instore Solutions, Founder and Managing Director. “As a bespoke point of purchase display design and manufacturing company working with brands and retailers whose desire for innovation and ROI ensures retail harmony”.

Advancing internationally with EXO

When Creative Instore Solutions advanced their focus for export growth through their North American & European companies, it brought to light the need for up to the minute project transparency in their enterprise system. “When you have the complexity of resources across the globe participating in any single project, it’s vital we have transparency to ensure delivery on time, in full and to budget” announced Georgie Torrens COO.

Creative Instore Solutions (CIS) is a global point of purchase design and manufacturing powerhouse blending creativity with structural engineering to conjure up sustainable designs that drive incremental sales for their globally established clients. It’s been an award winning combination that has seen them work with many household brands. With their head office based in Sydney, they now service their multinational clients from their offices in North America and Europe while managing a global network of design and logistics with manufacturing out of their China industrial centre.

Torrens had to make a decision about replacing their existing ERP system, “The objectives for that decision were the amount of time and resources that it would take to transition to a new system; the operational constraints the current system presented with our project P&L’s integrating labour & expenses from four entities in up to four different currencies, while also setting up a strong foundation for the future in terms of financial transparency.”

CIS’s previous system wasn’t keeping up with the pace the industry had moved to. They have far less time to develop custom concepts, calculate project estimates and deliver prototypes to client’s. Previously, they had a number of weeks to deliver this, with client’s expectations now as shorts as 48 hours. This accelerated the need for up to the minute consolidated project P&L’s along with transparent business cashflow requirements in five currencies. The business required a lot more automated functions from the system that could be delivered within a timely implementation period and to a budget that offered an adequate ROI. MYOB’s new product EXO Business met these requirements.

“By setting up an automated real time view of the consolidated project P&L’s, departments now have real time transparency and are armed to make decisions on projects which we feel will provide a higher level of customer service and greater efficiency in driving down costs. Adding to that, the significant decrease in month end processing allows those in the business to focus ahead more strategically and with far greater knowledge.” added Torrens.

Ronnie Baskind, Managing Director of Kilimanjaro Consulting, acknowledges that “we at Kilimanjaro believe that every implementation is a journey and each one follows a distinct route. By listening and recognising CIS’ unique needs, we have been able to provide a platform that will deliver an immediate ROI with a system we will collectively mould for business efficiency as they continue to grow their international business.

MYOB has recognised Kilimanjaro Consulting the only recognised Diamond Partner.

Designing a future for Knox Students

Creative Instore Solutions (CIS) continued the now annual event of showcasing the business of design to the next up and coming industrial designers by today hosting over 30 Year 11 students from Knox Grammar School. Providing a tour of the Sydney Head Office facilities and showing the students the business side of industrial design, including everything from concept creation to financial management.  This years’ tour, which continued annual tradition can serve to guide students interested in laying the foundation for a future in the design industry.

On entering the facility the participants from Knox are always met by Managing Director and company founder, Steve Howell, whose energy and enthusiasm for the next “cool idea” and mastery of CIS history gets the students quickly engaged. Once the introduction is over students are split into rotating groups of educational briefings on all business facets including Finance, Operations, Creative and Production Design.

The boys also embark on a tour of the head office facility which showcases the latest CIS designed and manufactured units to hit the market to ensure an end to end understanding of the CIS motto “ideation to creation”.

The annual event has formed a key part of the CIS calendar for eight years and helps the students understand the true impact of good design, allowing those interested in pursuing a career in the industry a rounded understanding to supplement their in school learning.

The students, who at the conclusion of the visit are always tasked with a live client brief as part of their overall assessment get to see the design team in action, brainstorming, sketching and rendering concepts for live client briefs. This process enables the students to truly grasp the creative driven ethos that is CIS and take this into the assessment approach.

The CIS employees from all departments look forward to the students visit from the on site interaction to the submission of the final assessments and photography of the prototypes weeks later.

“Showcasing commercial design and its impact in the real world, is as always, a fantastic initiative by CIS to help students gain a more comprehensive design experience. The boys look forward to this each year on the Knox calendar, helping them onto their next design challenge and eventually into a HSC major work. Business success is more than just a cool idea, and it is the well-rounded overview provided by CIS that helps our students design their future “said Andrew Grattan, Head of Design and Technology, Knox Grammar School, Sydney.

Capturing Gold with a Mexican Fiesta

Deane Hubball, Group CEO and Charles Somers, Director of Business Development accepting the POPAI Indian

Creative Instore Solutions (CIS) triumphed at the 2015 Global POPAI Marketing at Retail awards, announced as winners in the Food, Grocery & Convenience Semi-Permanent category with the Doritos Mexican Fiesta display. CIS designed and manufactured the iconic point of purchase cart that invokes the culture of Mexico while showcasing the Doritos brand. The off location placement of the Doritos product in the fresh food aisle was designed to create an occasion around a big night in i.e. Nacho Night occasion for shoppers.

This year’s Global Awards had submissions from 11 countries entering over 80 displays, the largest number of entries the competition has had to date. CIS were represented at the global awards ceremony which took place during the industries largest retail tradeshow GlobalShop, by Group CEO, Deane Hubball and Charles Somers, Director of Business Development North America.

“We are extremely pleased to be recognised as a global leader in innovation and design, it is an honour our entire international team should be extremely proud of. We are thrilled that our success for our client has been recognised within the industry’s most prestigious award events and we hope to have the opportunity to achieve even more through 2015 & beyond.” said Deane Hubball, Group CEO, Creative Instore Solutions whilst accepting the POPAI Indian.

General Manager of POPAI Australia and New Zealand, Lee McClymont said it was indicative of Australia’s innovation in the Shopper Marketing space, to achieve such global recognition. “Australia has been punching above its weight on the Shopper Marketing world stage, for some time now. For companies from our region to take out four of the 17 global awards categories this year, demonstrates our thought leadership, innovation and excellence in an environment where shoppers are more discerning than ever,” said Ms. McClymont.

The fifth annual global awards recognise the most innovative and effective marketing at retail displays that lift sales and engage shoppers. To be eligible, the display must have won Gold in their local POPAI chapter. Local POPAI awards are run in over 30 countries globally.