If you really love traditional metal-filament light bulbs, 2011 is the year to stock up on them, because you'll soon be hard-pressed to find them on store shelves.
Mooresville-based home improvement giant Lowe's put out a press release commemorating incandescent light bulb inventor Thomas Edison's 164th birthday Friday - and reminding customers that federal energy efficiency legislation mandates a gradual phase-out of incandescent bulbs from 2012 to 2014.
"While the phonograph has been replaced by sleek digital music devices, the telegraph by texting and the motion-picture camera by advanced, hi-definition and 3D technologies, we’re still using the incandescent light bulb today," Lowe's said in the release.
Lowe's, like most retailers, is offering a greater selection of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), halogen and LED light bulbs in advance of the new regulations. Although CFLs cost more upfront ($9.48 for a four-pack of 100-watt Sylvania CLFs vs. $4.48 for an eight-pack of 100-watt Sylvania incandescents at Lowe's), supporters say CFLs can save more than $40 over their lifetime by using three-quarters less energy and lasting ten times as long as incandescent bulbs.
IKEA is the first major retailer to totally phase out incandescents, which they did in January. Retailers are working hard to sell customers on the energy efficiency and long-term savings of new light bulb options, presumably to help them deal with the sticker shock of vanished cheap lighting options.
And evidence suggests they have a lot of work to do getting customers' attention. A telephone survey of about 1,000 adults commissioned by IKEA and released last month found that 61 percent are unaware that incandescents are about to burn out for good because of the new federal rules.
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Belk dives into social media
At 122 years old, Belk Inc. has been around a lot longer than your average Twitterholic (Twitterhead? Is this an actual term? I know not) or Facebook super-poster - but then, adapting with the times has helped the company endure in the first place. And it's with that in mind the Charlotte-based chain has launched a Twitter feed and Facebook fan page to further connect with customers, and broaden interest in the company further beyond store walls - trying a strategy that a huge range of retailers are trying across the digital landscape.
"Social media is an essential component of a company's communications arsenal today," Ivy Chin, Belk's senior vice president of e-commerce, said in a news release. "By forging an exchange of real-time information, we will be able to share our story and create consumer relationships that provide valuable feedback and information."
The Facebook page will provide information on fashion trends, product launches, sales and special events, with interactive features such as product surveys and commentary from Arlene Goldstein, vice president and fashion director. Goldstein is also the personality and force behind the Twitter feed, which features trendspotting tips and other observations. And, because we're talking retail here, the company is offering incentive for folks to sign up: Those that become a Facebook fan of Belk will receive a discount coupon.
Ring, ring, ring: Harris Teeter's jingle goes mobile
Can't get enough of Harris Teeter's jingle, the star of countless commercials and contests? Now you can take it on the go, in your purse or pocket: The Matthews-based supermarket chain has made 10 versions of its "My Harris Teeter" ditty - six vocal, and four instrumental - available as free ringtones. "The ringtones are another, fun way for Harris Teeter to interact with customers," spokeswoman Catherine Reuhl said.
Though unusual and possibly unique for a grocery store, at least one with a Piedmont presence, the tie-in is far from the first corporate ringtone. Nationwide Insurance launched what's believed to be the first one in the U.S. in 2004, using its "Nationwide is on your side" song. Though it's unclear to me why exactly a person would choose that as his or her ring of choice - unless, perhaps, you worked for Nationwide, or needed repeated reminders of your insurance coverage - it makes plenty of sense for the company. As its advertising vice president said when the tone launched, they want to reach consumers and promote their brand in every possible way, and ringtones are another, modern way to do that.
Companies are also using the technology in subtler ways - well, at least relatively subtler. The Web site offering Harris Teeter's tones is also promoting ringtones featuring kitchen noises such as a blender whirring and eggs frying, sponsored by Rice-A-Roni. Whether you'd even contemplate downloading any of the above probably depends on whether you find the whole idea of ringtones amusing or annoying enough that you permanently set your phone to vibrate, but it's definitely an arena that isn't finished growing. So what's next? Any other local companies you'd nominate to compete with iTunes ringtone best-sellers like the Black Eyed Peas? (The Morris-Jenkins jingle comes to mind, although I have a friend who'd strenuously disagree...)
Though unusual and possibly unique for a grocery store, at least one with a Piedmont presence, the tie-in is far from the first corporate ringtone. Nationwide Insurance launched what's believed to be the first one in the U.S. in 2004, using its "Nationwide is on your side" song. Though it's unclear to me why exactly a person would choose that as his or her ring of choice - unless, perhaps, you worked for Nationwide, or needed repeated reminders of your insurance coverage - it makes plenty of sense for the company. As its advertising vice president said when the tone launched, they want to reach consumers and promote their brand in every possible way, and ringtones are another, modern way to do that.
Companies are also using the technology in subtler ways - well, at least relatively subtler. The Web site offering Harris Teeter's tones is also promoting ringtones featuring kitchen noises such as a blender whirring and eggs frying, sponsored by Rice-A-Roni. Whether you'd even contemplate downloading any of the above probably depends on whether you find the whole idea of ringtones amusing or annoying enough that you permanently set your phone to vibrate, but it's definitely an arena that isn't finished growing. So what's next? Any other local companies you'd nominate to compete with iTunes ringtone best-sellers like the Black Eyed Peas? (The Morris-Jenkins jingle comes to mind, although I have a friend who'd strenuously disagree...)
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