As we approach Easter, Impulse have seen a positive start to 2012. Turnover is up at this point in 2011 by over 30%, which is encouraging. Lets not forget though, that we are only 2 months in to the year!
Briefings are at an all-time high, mainly due to our greater emphasis on sales, and targeting different sectors. Thats the great thing about Retail Point of Purchase, we are not restricted either by brand or geography. An exciting Global Project we are currently developing is destined for the Saudi Petro-chemical Market. I personally find this interesting, as it challenges our cultural creativity.i mean by this - our experience with what works from cost and visual perspective in Europe does not necessarily apply elsewhere. We are having to approach this in an entirely different way - which has opened up areas in technology and visual impact, normally disregarded in our home market (mainly due to budget!)
Generally we are finding it tougher to win work - as prices are becoming lethal.
When analysing the results - this finding is also because we are pitching for more work, so however good we are, we cannot expect to win everything!

Its good to see a positive retail mood, especially at this time of year - Easter will be the next measure, and with the level of campaigns we have ongoing - it should continue to improve.
We will have shipped Free-Standing Point of Purchase Displays to over 1000 Retail Outlets by Easter. This is across various sectors, including Cosmetics, DVD and Music Entertainment, Premium Clothing and Forecourt Brands.

I read in the press yesterday about John Lewis’s fall in profits, yet the right attitude to the longer term. JL have an admirable model, which means that through this period of "Austerity" they will have consolidated their brand position and improved customer loyalty, at the expense of a bit of profit. Others will come and go, and this is entirely evident in our part of the sector. The problem is always "how low can a price go?"

Digital POP is still an emerging turnover item for us, our IPAD Displays are proving popular as retailers run trials. Conversion to roll-out seems to take longer than you’d expect - again budget driven i think.

Back soon - Happy Easter to All.

Happy New Year! After a welcome break its great to be back and looking forward to a positive 2012.
Last year beat expectations, and with a healthy order book, insist on remaining optimistic about the year ahead. Why not? an Olympic Year, and an opportunity to prove all the sceptics wrong.
I’m excited to welcome Sean, our New Business Development Manager, to the the team.
As part of our expansion plan for 2012, we are even better set to provide the full service package in Retail Design and Build.
New Year Roll-outs include Gore-tex, Homebase, Pioneer and Champion Wipers.
We are currently recruiting, and will be back soon with more news.

I was asked recently by a Global POP Business based in the US to provide my opinion on the current market size. I obviously have my own views, so thought it best to back it up with some recent research. First stop POPAI. i’m appalled to report that there hasn’t been a study done since 2003! So rather than start a rant about the value (?) of such an association, i’d like to appeal to anyone in our industry to give their opinion.
Here goes mine - based on $17 billion in 2003, i would suggest a 40% increase taking it to approximately $23 billion. My limited research is based on conversations with FMCG brands, and has some bearing on the market value growth over this period.
i have read reports that suggest $50bn - do you think this is more accurate?
As a service provider in this industry, the overall size of the market does not affect our day to day business. Without having this information as a starting point, i’d go as far to say that you cannot really comment accurately - its all down to a matter of opinion.
i’m told a study is to be carried out soon - will be interesting to see how close i was!
This highlights to me the importance of spotting trends, and acting early enough to be in front of the rest. This is where brands can be content in knowing that UK Retail Design is second to none, and our approach is not complacent.
This year we’ve seen some of the best creative work around - from all of the key players in the industry. One of the most exciting aspects of our industry is the evolution of the POP Agency - forcing new ideas from both old and new businesses.
Impulse have enjoyed a busy 2011, and look forward to an exciting, expansive 2012.

Do you tweet, Blog, Poke on Facebook, linkedin, Ping or now Google + ?
We’ve embraced this form of communication, but not only is difficult to keep up with, its difficult to integrate it into your Marketing PLan.
The idea is genius, and has endless opportunities, hence the necessity to include this media in Retail Marketing.
in the last 18 months, the Shopping Environment has transformed completely. Impulse are now being asked to Design and Produce more Interactive displays than ever. In the last 6 months alone we’ve been working on pitches for Tailored Shirts, X-Box, Blackberry, Fitness Supplements, DVD Rentals to name a few.
An In-Store Display now has to merchandise and inform in high quality media, whereas, in the past, the brief was less demanding.
This direction is relying on "instant reactivity" via Social Media, through Smart Phones, gaining client details for future campaigns.
It is advisable to approach success of this style of marketing as you would a website. If you cannot gain interest within 3 seconds, then the client will lose interest and move on.
We all want the traffic viewing our websites, created by the likes of Facebook and Twitter, and Marketeers are discovering the benefits of people hitting the "like" buttons on websites, which then leaves a cybertrail which can be used again.
When i first used twitter, I was immediately put off with the amount of "interference" created with useless comments etc. You have to disregard this, and look closer into who you connect with, and also who others are connected to.
its a full time job - and as we spend more time analysing the platform not only for our own use, but at clients requests, it is useful to have industry specific knowledge.
if you wish to consult us on how to use this to enhance brand awareness, and ultimately sell more products, please contact us HERE

Impulse realise the importance of adapting Displays not only to Physical Fashion Trends, but to the Cultural changes being forced by the Social Media Evolution.

Impulse on Twitter

Impulse on Facebook

PLease test the process by clicking the "like" button at the top of the entry - only if you do like it though!

Well this is my first blog and I thought what better time to start than when we have just secured an order to promote the new GORE-TEX Active-Shell Clothing Range. It has been an extremely interesting project for Impulse. We were asked to create a shop floor display which would demonstrate what GORE-TEX stand for as a company - the highest quality and revolutionary ideas. We submitted several designs, along with a number of competitors. GORE-TEX chose Impulse as their preferred supplier. We were told that out of the four companies that submitted designs, we understood GORE-TEX and achieved the task of relaying their message through our design most effectively.
It has been a long and exciting journey, and Impulse are proud to be working with GORE-TEX on this new campaign. This is an “all – encompassing” project which lead us from a competitive visualization pitch to development and prototyping. This project also incorporates a variety of materials from Timber, Metal, Print and Acrylic, to LED Lighting, a Full Sized Mannequin, an Interactive Screen and even Gravel!!
We’ve developed the prototype, the order for further units has been confirmed and we will be starting the installation into high-status stores in September. Impulse have been chosen by GORE-TEX to carry out all aspects of this project, from design to manufacture, following on with installation and ongoing maintenance. I would call this a great achievement for Impulse, and as the Account Handler, am excited to be working with GORE-TEX further.
Images to follow, subject to client approval.

Impulse exhibited for the third year running, and are pleased to confirm that we are booked again for 2012.
Analysis after the show was mixed, the hard evidence is that each year has been successful from the all important Sales and Client perspective - its all about the orders!
The quantity of visitors was lower this year, yet the quality seemed to be as good as previous years.
It makes me wonder if the culture of doing business is changing, or are people just getting lazier? i’ll explain... as the marketing landscape changes, social marketing enables a higher perception of accessibility. So why bother to make an effort to go and see what is going on at an exhibition? The internet should provide all the information you need - but does it?

In my humble opinion, no!! Impulse have developed a range of IPAD Displays . You would think that the most popular, and best selling Technology item of 2011, will have every conceivable accessory / Display available to view on the internet. You try and Google it, and the results are a mess. You cannot put all your trust in web research alone. The experience of face to face communication should not be under estimated.
Each time we prepare for the show, we all question the effort required to carry it out - but nothing beats actually facing people and spending a few minutes in a worthwhile conversation.
So, in a round about way, this is why we will be exhibiting in 2012.

Apply this to the Retail Environment - you cannot rely on virtual advertising alone - people want to touch and feel the products, see them on engaging and exciting Displays, hence why over 60% of buying decisions are made at the Point of Purchase.
Please contact us here show you to make your products sell exponentially.

I havent blogged for a while, so as i sit in the departure lounge before going to Frankfurt, thought it a good opportunity to write a quick note.
Firstly i’m going to have to have a moan about April - what a terrible month for anyone trying to produce anything! it was worse than a bad December for invoicing, but great for seeing more of the family - so get your priorities right Mark!
its meant we are into our busiest May on record, lets hope this continues through to the Summer now.
The weather is great, but from a retail perspective i think we now have to assume Summer is now going to be April to June - what happens after then is anyones guess! Shopping behaviour is certainly changing, with reports out yesterday heralding good footfall and turnover during the Hot spell we’ve just had. This seems to have been the trend over the last 2 years, so i wouldnt be surprised if the peak promotional periods are tweaked slightly to suit.
We are putting units into 270 Burton stores over 5 days next week which is hitting the Fathers Day period for Music and Entertainment. This is a classic example of the service Impulse offer, we’ve designed the stands and POS, manufactured and are installing the units on the shopfloor, tied in with Product Merchandisers to ensure compliance and smooth launch.
We’ve entered the 2011 Popai Awards, hoping for another success - details of our entry will be published shortly.
We’ve decided to revamp the website - to accommodate the expanding needs of the business, and our clients. This will be launched prior to us exhibiting at this years In Store Show.
Finally with the launch of the IPAD 2 (love it) we will have some exciting news to share with you around this product - on the next blog.

its been an odd month, Impulse have maintained above average turnover, yet the feeling from clients is definately more "here and now" rather than anything long term. This is not unusual in our world, but is now much more the norm. This means reacting quickly and being able to switch overtime on at a moments notice - something we have always been good at!
This month has seen the first delivery of the Choices Interactive Pods (Look here for images).
We’ve also despatched out first orders for our new client The Daily Mail, and made 200 metal units for Cadbury’s in that lovely purple!
Impulse delivered 100 x Smart looking Displays to support Meridian Audio Core 200 Hi-Fi Products
We are off to Euroshop on monday, time to fill the creative banks, and look for new opportunities for the coming year.
We will be exhibiting at The In Store Marketing Show 2011, which has proven successfull the last two years we have attended.
Mark’s been writing a blog for The Field Marketing and Brand Experience Sector. Good to see the different viewpoints coming in.
We have also uploaded a film of one of our Laser Machines cutting out some Stainless - click here to see more.

Welcome back!
2010 turned out to be our highest turnover yet. We expect to beat this in 2011, and it looks like it is going to be a challenging year.
inflation will play a heavy part in both our personal and business lives - the effect on Retail will mean worsening costs and a much more competitive sector. The inevitable rise of Interest Rates will make life interesting too!
We have no reason not to keep positive, are enjoying a good order book, and a refreshingly buoyant attitude from our clients.
A good indicator for us is the level of quality pitches we are involved in - which is up by 30% from this time last year

Impulse are currently working on a 330 x One Stop Roll-out for DVD stands, an exciting new Rental Interactive Unit, and continued H&M Store equipment for European Destinations.
its great seeing our lasered components appearing in Gulliivers Travels, which is a departure from our usual work - look out later in the year for Captain America, we worked extensively on the shields and car interiors - images will be posted when we are allowed to!

We have just supplied all Display Equipment for a DVD, Music and Games Shop opening in London, this and other similar enquiries received since we made changes to the Impulse POP Website are making us look at further potential services we can offer via the website. Impulse have a vast experience in the Home Entertainment sector, and also produce a range of standard products which will be more accessible later this year.

Other things on our "to do" list include:

-Further Exporting - our exports in 2010 were up by 28%, we see more potential in 2011
-Greater emphasis on alternative Supply Chain - Impulse have always offered alternative routes, and most pitches we make that exceed £100,000 require cost driven alternatives.
-Impulse expect to invest in further capital equipment in 2011. The success of our "Lights Out" Automatic Laser Profiler means that we can work smarter, and our capacity has grown. The effect this has on the business is currently being evaluated.
-2012 Olympics - more quoting and hopefully winning some of the work is important to us.
-Growth in the Convenience Sector, we have been successful working for a major Newspaper, and look forward to extending the range of displays for them and others in this area


We hope you enjoy reading this, and if you have any enquiries to discuss, or wish to talk further about the business, contact us by email on sales@impulsepop.co.uk or phone 01767 682756

Impulse won our first Award! We won a Bronze within the Confectionary Section, for our work with Thorntons PLC. See details of the case study HERE!.

After a good four months of non stop overtime, the business is enjoying a slightly quieter period. Its given everyone the opportunity to take a breath, and we are now planning for 2011.
Its evident that Brands have invested heavily into this Christmas, and we all hope that this optimism carries over into next year. We are benefitting from a successful year invested in greater web and industry presence - new projects currently underway include creative work for Bacardi Impulse units and further DVD units for a convenience roll-out.
We are excited to be pitching for the 2012 Olympics Equipment, and are currently working hard with three other major brands, which are being developed for production early next year.

At a client meeting today, we were discussing the merits of Far East Supply. The project in question requires this option to be considered, and we are comfortable in offering this service, especially if time permits - the cost advantage is key here. There is generally an air of trepidation associated with this route, based on quality, cash-flow and guaranteed lead-times. We are happy to discuss this further if you have a requirement in mind. Impulse offer a completely flexible service, where different manufacturing routes can be synchronised to suit required timescales, i.e feed in initial quantities from UK, then follow up from alternative, cheaper supply chain with longer lead-times.