Switzerland-based retail giant Manor embraced Ricoh's Ri 100 direct-to-garment (DTG) printing technology for an in-house personalised merchandise promotion prior to Christmas 2020.
Manor is the largest department store group in Switzerland and has a nationwide presence. The Group includes 59 Manor department stores, 29 Manor Food markets and 27 Manora restaurants. The company stocks more than one million articles from some 2,800 suppliers around the world and the omnichannel business ensures that all products sold in the department stores are also available online.
The perfect Christmas gift
In 2020 - the year the Corona pandemic really took hold - Manor wanted to inspire its customers and offer them the chance to create something special for Christmas: a personalised printed gift, such as a one-of-a-kind T-shirt or a personalised fabric bag. Manor wanted to use this creative concept to widen its business opportunities, win new customers and above all to offer an attractive new gift choice. Subsequently, Manor got in touch with Ricoh to get advice on suitable DTG printers for the project.
A DTG printer for anyone, anywhere
Manor and Ricoh put the printer system through its paces at the Ricoh showroom in Wallisellen before the retailer selected the Ricoh Ri 100 DTG printer for use in its department stores. Once the two companies had finished the planning process, Ricoh engineers installed the seven devices and trained Manor staff members on site.
Famously easy to operate, the Ricoh Ri 100 DTG printer requires minimal training and maintenance and takes up very little space. The simple to use system enabled Manor customers to print images straight from their mobile phones or USB sticks directly onto bags, pillowcases, napkins, socks and T-shirts in store and take them home immediately - with the entire printing process, including drying, taking just five minutes.
Jennifer Trowbridge, Project Manager, Business Development Unit, Retail, at Manor explains: "The personalisation of products is still very much in vogue. With only a little training, all our shop assistants could use the device without any problems."
Satisfied customers and a good return on investment
The investment in the Ricoh Ri 100 DTG printers has already paid off. Manor confirmed that the price of the Ricoh Ri 100 is extremely reasonable, prints are made on demand and the user-friendly software makes the workflow quick and easy.
A plain T-shirt is quickly transformed into a personalised garment and customers love this kind of innovative printed gift and memento. With the slogan "One gift, one story", Manor succeeded in offering something new that set it apart from the competition in the run-up to Christmas.
"We produced more than 2,000 prints in December 2020. The simple operation and handy size mean the printers can be used flexibly throughout the branch network. [They are] an ideal solution for our 59 department stores across Switzerland."
Following the successful launch of the DTG service in late 2020, the Ricoh Ri 100 printers have remained in the Manor department stores where they continue to produce individually printed textiles.
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