2017 Retail Tech and Idea Center – imagined by NTP-STAG (Booth V-200, next to the Dealer Lounge)

NTP-STAG will be hosting a Retail Tech and Idea Center during the 2017 RV Dealers International Convention / Expo in Las Vegas November 6-10. The Retail Tech and Idea Center will be a new featured exhibit at the convention this year. It is an interactive learning and resource area where dealers can experience how new technologies can be integrated into retail environments to improve customer engagement, store management and sales.

The Retail Tech and Idea Center will feature a new model store that will display a variety of merchandising tools that improve how products are displayed and sold. There will be display areas showcasing three technology solutions that will be interactive, entertaining and informative. And finally, NTP-STAG will be hosting a genius bar where subject matter experts in the areas of design, planning and fixturing will be available to discuss best practices, trends and offer tips for planning store sets and building projects.

 “We were asked by RVDA to help present new and innovative retailing ideas at this year’s event and we were excited to take the opportunity to share our expertise" said Bill Rogers who leads the NTP-STAG organization. “Overall, we want to deliver a new type of experience at the convention that is fun, educational and relevant to everyone who has a store and is curious about the future of retailing. Our goal with the Retail Tech and Idea Center is to have a space where dealers can come and see how technology and store design can enhance the shopping experience,” he adds. It will be the ideal place for dealers to engage with creative people and talk through current or future projects. It will be a place where NTP-STAG will showcase their capabilities while connecting dealer to new resources that can provide ideas and support for projects or challenges they may be facing in their own businesses.

In the Retail Tech and Idea Center, Dealers will be able to test drive a virtual reality retail experience, see how digital price tags can create a more dynamic selling environment and learn about mobile check out functionality using over the counter hardware and readily available point of sales software. The genius bar will be staffed by designers from Nudell Architects, consultants from a leading fixture company and NTP-STAGs Merchandising Manager, Val Byrd. “We are really excited to provide this hub of expertise at the convention. From store design and fixturing to implementation and stocking, we will have the resources on site to answer just about any question a dealer may have regarding building a store to remodeling an existing space,” says Byrd.

Nudell Architects have offices in Michigan and Florida and have a stunning portfolio of work that includes the design of more than 1,000 automobile dealerships. They have over 40 years of experience in commercial architecture design and planning and will be in the Retail Tech and Idea Center to answer questions and share their thoughts about good retail space design and the store planning process. They will be an outstanding resource to help dealers see a clearer path to kicking off a project and managing resources during implementation.

The Retail Tech and Idea Center will also feature hands on displays for NTP-STAG’s proprietary software and service solutions. Dealers will be able to check out the new features and content in MagniFinder – the industry’s leading service parts database. Also on display will be PARTease, the service parts stocking program that minimizes inventory risk for dealers and a new online service called PartsVIA. PartsVIA connects consumers, suppliers and retail outlets in an online transaction that captures sales in the fastest growing market channel while funneling customer traffic and profits to dealers.

“The Retail Tech and Idea Center is intended to be thought provoking. It is intended to illustrate our commitment to helping dealers succeed in this very dynamic retail environment we all live in. It is intended to be fun and interesting. And ultimately, we hope it delivers an experience and information that dealers can take home and implement in their businesses to improve the functionality of their retail space. We look forward to sharing it with the attendees at this year’s conference,” concludes Spaulding.