MediaCart system to use Microsoft's Atlas ad-serving technology to deliver
targeted advertising to shoppers directly at the point of purchase.
NEW YORK and REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
MediaCart Holdings, Microsoft Corp. and Wakefern Food Corporation announced
today, at the National Retail Federation's 97th Annual Convention & Expo,
that Wakefern plans to pilot MediaCart's next-generation computerized
shopping carts for potential rollout to all ShopRite stores. The early
pilot, conducted with Wakefern in its ShopRite stores, provided insights
from both the consumer and retailer perspective that were adopted in the
next-generation product. The nine-month pilot with Wakefern began in the
spring of 2007. Microsoft's Atlas Division will provide video ad serving on
the MediaCart grocery cart screen, providing advertisers with the
opportunity to reach shoppers at the point of purchase, and providing
ShopRite customers with a more personalized shopping experience.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080114/AQM077)
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)
"In working with companies like MediaCart, we're continuing to push the
envelope in the digital advertising realm to enable new and innovative ways
for advertisers and agencies to create brand loyalty and engage with their
target audiences in a highly relevant, measurable and targeted way," said
Scott Ferris, general manager of the Advertiser and Publisher Solutions
Group at Microsoft. "Digital advertising opportunities are expanding
rapidly into new areas, as many of consumers' daily activities, such as
shopping, become increasingly 'connected,' and Microsoft is committed to
working with advertisers and agencies to take advantage of these
opportunities as they unfold."
By using Microsoft technologies, the MediaCart solution will enable
anonymous ad targeting through data obtained through ShopRite's customer
loyalty card program. A shopper would scan his or her card at the
MediaCart, and receive ads and promotional offers based on past purchases
and/or saved shopping lists that could be uploaded from a home PC. No
personally identifiable information will be shared with Microsoft,
MediaCart or any advertiser as part of the ad serving process. The
technology will also provide advertisers with reporting and analytics
capabilities to assess performance of the ads in the stores.
In addition to the advertising shoppers will receive, they will also be
able to save time and money with MediaCart-equipped shopping carts by
obtaining electronic coupons, locating products in the store, performing
comparative price checks, viewing store specials in aisle as they shop,
viewing recipes and nutritional information, shopping using an electronic
shopping list that is presented in aisle order, totaling the cost of the
items in their baskets before checkout, and expediting the checkout using
the cart-level checkout feature. This enhanced shopping experience helps
differentiate ShopRite in the marketplace and drives brand and customer
loyalty.
"Through the powerful combination of Microsoft and MediaCart, we are
providing our customers with a cutting-edge shopping experience, unmatched
in the industry," said Joseph Colalillo, chairman and CEO of Wakefern.
"This is an exciting step in our ongoing commitment to meet and exceed the
needs of our shoppers and stores."
"With its strong technology leadership and shopper loyalty programs,
ShopRite stores are ideal for the MediaCart system, which can further
leverage the valuable shopper data to improve shopper communications," said
David Brice, chairman and CEO of MediaCart. "We look forward to fulfilling
agreements that utilize Wakefern's extensive retail experience and
Microsoft's best-in-class advertising technology to take our shopping cart
systems to a new level in their stores."
In addition to Microsoft's Atlas technologies, the MediaCart solution
is also built on Microsoft Windows CE and Microsoft SQL Server. Trials of
the MediaCart solution are expected to begin in ShopRite stores in the
second half of 2008.
About Wakefern Food Corp.
From a small, struggling cooperative with eight members -- all owners
of their own grocery stores -- Wakefern Food Corporation has grown into the
largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and one of the
largest employers in New Jersey. The cooperative is comprised of 44 members
who individually own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite banner.
Today, Wakefern, the merchandising and distribution arm of the company, and
the 200 ShopRite stores located throughout New Jersey, New York,
Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware, employ more than 47,000 people.
A long time supporter of key community efforts, ShopRite was named
America's Second Harvest Grocery Distributor of the Year (1999) for its
ShopRite Partners In Caring program, a year-round initiative dedicated to
fighting hunger in the communities served by ShopRite stores. Since its
inception, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated more than $15 million to
more than 1,400 worthy charities.
About MediaCart
Media Cart Holdings, Inc., is leader in delivering computerized retail
and grocery shopping cart systems to both assist shoppers and deliver
point-of-purchase video communications for retailers and consumer product
goods manufacturers. The MediaCart system uses the precise location of the
shopping cart in the store as well as relevant shopping history and
demographic data to drive pertinent communications at the
point-of-purchase. For retailers, MediaCart integrates with their
point-of-sale systems to offer a powerful competitive advantage for
increasing customer loyalty and improving sales while capturing a new
revenue stream from advertisements and promotions to individual shoppers.
The Company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.
Further information on MediaCart and its revolutionary shopping systems can
be found at http://www.mediacart.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.microsoft.com
http://www.mediacart.com
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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org AP PhotoExpress
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