Sony and ASDA team up in UK for photoprinting service

ASDA and Sony launch fastest digital photo printing service on the market

Britain’s second largest supermarket chain invests in multi-million pound deal to install 260 kiosks in 130 stores across the UK to maximise customer convenience and profits

LONDON, 20th June 2007 – By the end of 2007, ASDA customers will have access to the fastest digital printing facilities on the market with new Sony printing kiosks. The Sony kiosks utilise state-of-the-art printing technology to create standard 4×6″ photos at market leading speed.

As part of a three year deal, Sony Professional Services was selected from leading industry competitors, to install a monumental 260 kiosks in 130 stores. With more stores scheduled to follow, Sony’s digital photo printing services are now firmly on the retail map.

“Sony offers the fastest printers on the market. The Sony kiosks, which house two UP-DR150/3 dye sublimation printers, can deliver 4×6” prints, at approximately 3.5 seconds each. For the average customer printing their favourite holiday snaps, the rapid speed of Sony’s kiosks help time-poor customers complete their errands in minimal time,” said Dave Cowlishaw, Strategic Account Manager of Digital Photography, Sony Europe.

Sony’s kiosks have also helped ASDA ease the demands on its photo print facilities. ASDA mini-labs take up valuable retail floor space and require specialist staff. The new Sony kiosks are remotely monitored via an ASDL-link by a support centre to observe uptime, diagnose and remotely fix faults and even notify individual stores of paper outs. The kiosks even track commercial performance with real-time data, such as volume of prints and orders. Coupled with that, the remote tracking also ensures increased reliability for the end user.

“We recognised the growth in instant print services and enhanced our facilities with equipment designed to maximise our customers’ time and ease the strain on our retail space. The new Sony kiosks gives customers high quality prints at everyday low prices, quickly and allow us to utilise our space more effectively to ultimately expand our in-store product offering,” said Steph Strike, Photo and Technology General Manager.

“What was particularly appealing about this venture was Son’s ability to offer opportunities for expansion into other services. The new kiosks can also be programmed to offer phone content, music, movies and game downloading. No other company offered such rich content under one brand”, continued Steph Strike.

Sony instant print services are available in a number of retail outlets in the UK, from independent newsagents to retail chains.