Vending Hot & Cold Drinks

Posted By: Chris Bradley | On April 20, 2009 at 12:58 am

japan-vendingProduct: Hot OR Cold Drinks
Brand: Various

Retailer: Vending
Type: Vending
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Vending machines that serve hot AND cold drinks are everywhere in Japan. In this picture, the drinks with the price in red are served hot and the drinks with the price in blue are served cold. Seems obvious that this would be available everywhere (since hot and cold drinks are enjoyed worldwide) but they are not. Why not? I know that I often have wished that I could get a hot cup of coffee out of a vending machine… Even if it is in a ready-to-drink can or bottle…

Sometimes the retail limitations of a given market seem to limit innovation. In this example, US marketers might say that c-store retailers are not setup to serve hot drinks, or that US vending machines can’t serve hot drinks. However, there are numerous examples of how smart marketers have overcome this type of challenge and in the process differentiated themselves from their competitors. Breakthrough products often come from the delivery of a better solution or product delivered to consumers in new ways.

Innovation Pattern: Redefine the Retail Delivery Model

Sparks: (Ideas for how to reapply this pattern in another product category)

  1. How could new retail hardware enable a better consumer solution? 
  2. Where (non-typical retail locations) would consumers really want to buy your product?
  3.  How could your product be perceived as being more premium?
  4. How could you make the delivery of your product more sensorial?

Ready-To-Bake Cupcakes

Posted By: Chris Bradley | On April 16, 2009 at 7:08 pm

Ready-To-Bake Cupcakes at Marks & Spencer

Product: Ready to Bake Cupcakes
Brand: Marks & Spencer

Retailer: Marks & Spencer
Type: Grocery
Location: London, England

Similiar to cookie dough sold in US grocery stores, the Brits have extended this product trend to other baked goods ranging from pound cakes to cupcakes.  The cupcake batter is already mixed and portioned into individual baking cups, in a disposable baking tray.  Simply throw it in the oven and in less than 15 minutes you have a dozen, fresh baked cupcakes with no work or cleanup.  

Although new and not available in the USA, this product is an extension of a now prolific product trend of allowing consumers to participate in making the product.  Other examples include X-Mod by Radio Shack (RC cars that you can build yourself from a box of components), customizing and mod’ing your new computer or even your new car (Toyota Scion.)

Innovation Pattern:  Allow Consumers to Participate

Sparks: (Ideas for how to reapply this pattern in another product category)

  1. How can you allow your consumers to participate in making your product? 
  2. How can you dramatically improve the perception of freshness in your category?
  3.  How can you make your product “taste” better than the competition?
  4. How can you employ the senses to make your product stand apart from the competition?
  5. How can you make it easier for non-consumers of your category to become consumers?

Makeup for Your Teeth

Posted By: Chris Bradley | On April 16, 2009 at 5:47 pm

japan-tooth-makeup1

Product: ToothMake
Brand:  ToothMake

Retailer: Jusco
Type: Mass
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Tooth makeup?  Yes, they sell this in Japan. Simply paint on some whitening in the morning when you put on the rest of your makeup and you are ready to go.  Lasts all day until you brush your teeth at night.  At the moment they only sell a four different shades of white, but who knows… Maybe soon you will be able to have teeth to match your fingernail polish and handbag?

What I find interesting is that this product approaches the teeth whitening market in a very different way than traditional white strips, trays or whitening toothpastes.  Instead they are allowing you to get instant results without having to wait or making a permanent commitment.  Think using a lip plumping lip gloss vs. getting a more permanent collagen injection.   This allows consumers to choose to “enhance” their appearance for a special event vs. making a permanent change.  Yes, having permanent white teeth may seem like a no brainer, but this product inspires a useful innovation pattern that can be applied in other categories… 

Innovation Pattern: Add or Remove Commitments

Sparks: (Ideas for how to reapply this pattern in another product category)

  1. How can you allow consumers to test drive your product? 
  2. Would there be a benefit of a temporary vs. permanent product in your category?
  3. Would there be a benefit of a permanent vs. temporary product in your category?
  4. What new products could entice non-users to “try” your product category?
  5. How can you provide more instant results or eliminate some of the barriers to adoption?

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