Guitar Center Unveils New Store Signs Using AccessVia
Retailer Streamlines Processes and Improves Sign Design Following an AccessVia Store Messaging Assessment

SEATTLE, January 11, 2010 — AccessVia announced today that Guitar Center has unveiled a new look to in-store signs following the implementation of AccessVia Web dSignShop in all of their 200+ retail locations. After a thorough review and a Store Messaging Assessment consulting program, Guitar Center selected AccessVia over other competitors in the in-store sign publishing software market due to the breadth of the AccessVia solution, the company's large installed base, and its track record of successful implementations.

The AccessVia Store Messaging Assessment delivered clear recommendations for improvements to processes in the retail stores as well as at headquarters that will result in lowered overall costs for in-store signs. This process review identified an opportunity to markedly improve sign content by changing the process for the way new item content is added and enabling technology for capturing and storing reusable features and benefits that appear on signs based on the feature or promotion. “AccessVia assessed our environment and was able to identify a number of opportunities to improve our processes for signage and the effectiveness of the signs”, says Jeff Steinmetz, Vice President Retail Systems at Guitar Center. “We were also able to cut the time it takes to get corporate batches to the store systems down by 1 day, which is valuable to our organization.”

“Our new signs look awesome! We looked at every piece of our in-store signs – from the look of the signs to the printers and paper to the processes around getting it done, and the move from an outsourced 3rd party to in-store print will reduce our lead time and allow for flexibility in changing the sign look with ‘just in time’ in-store printing” says Bob Belcher, Visual Design Director at Guitar Center. Guitar Center stores will now print signs using color laser printers. This move is expected to both improve the design of the signs and reduce costs from wasted pre-printed sign stock. New sign templates take advantage of the options available with color printing and use color to attract attention to product value and special promotions.

“We have helped Guitar Center by providing recommendations that streamlined the in-store processes and enhanced the customer experience by adding richer content,” says Ann McCool, Director Delivery Services at AccessVia.

Long the leader in retail signage solutions, AccessVia combines this history with a forward view of what is to come for shopper messaging. AccessVia works with retailers to develop business processes and execution strategies that ensure that each and every store is fulfilling the retailer’s brand promise at the point of decision. All of this work maintains a focus on the true objective – to lift sales and cut costs.

About AccessVia

AccessVia designs and deploys cost-cutting solutions for shelf-edge signs, labels, digital signs and electronic shelf labels (ESLs). Our systems are in use daily at over 50,000 locations worldwide including Target, Best Buy, Staples, Walgreens, and Kroger.

The AccessVia Publishing Platform seamlessly delivers print or digital promotions to stores for immediate availability or to central print service providers for high-speed production. Stores can re-print from centrally produced batches. The same system produces digital signs and ESLs – ensuring consistency across all touch points.

Get the right content and price, at the right location and time, tailored for execution efficiency -- regardless of the publishing method. Lift sales and cut costs with AccessVia.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Gaylene Meyer
Product Director
206-285-4994 x150