Subscription model can be a good chance for retailer?

What is your first image of "subscription business model"? I'm pretty sure that most people will first remind newspapers or magazines. If you are running a website or doing business involved in computer, your answer might be internet service based on subscription. Likewise, even though subscription business model has expended its territory up to cellphone market, automobile and so on, this model is still considered as a business strategy best matching for media and some internet service. However, I believe that this is the moment for "subscription model" to meet a new business partner, which is retailer.
I'd like to introduce new retail idea adopting subscription model for selling products. Plus, I want to tell you why this is worth getting our attention.

Panty by Post

Mailed monthly 



Panty by post launched in 2010 provides a selection of women's and men's underwear by monthly subscription. You can sign up for subscriptions lasting  two, three, six or 12 months, then a different panty from the collection you choose from is delivered with cute packaging every month. You can also order a single panty or two pair without subscription.

Do you want more information?
http://www.pantybypost.com/

What matters to retailer?
If you are working in this field, or you are planing to do someday, you need to take a moment to perceive about this concept because it can bring sellers and customers lots of benefits, especially sellers.  
First of all, getting customers with subscription means that it's easier to caculate expected revenue and cost.
This can help sellers to plan their money and most importantly reduce their inventory. 

Moreover,  subscription business will be able to manage customer service better and develope long-term loyalty. As many statistics have shown, keeping customers with loyalty rather than chasing new customers can bring more profits. Ultimately, this is such a ideal model to make a business stable and develop the brand. From the perspective of customers, as long as they are contented to the service and product, they will be more pleasant with this concept because they will be treated even better as a regular customer and also save money for the same product and service, it's even more convenient as well. 

Considering all benefits you will get from this, you may as well take it into your consideration for your next step.


Where can it be reasonably used?

According to my personal analysis, giant retailers like Walmart could be right for this subscription model.

Since they've already been runing a website for taking a order and providing delivery serive, it will take a lot more less efforts to introduce this model. I assume that they will be able to attract substantial customers because most people use some commodites on regular basis like toilet papers and toothpaths. Sometimes they feel lazy to shop for them over and over. Thus, they will feel convenience if they can get the delivery they often need without any incovenient process, and with cheaper price. Then, they might be willing to become loyal customers for who provide such a great service and products.  

Do you want to create distinctive music?

Skoog, Real Music, Real expression

Skoog? What is that?

The 'Skoog' is a new musical instrument different from existing traditional instruments. It doesn't require long-term learning process like a guitar and piano do. All you need to do is just press, squeeze, twist or strike any side of 'skoog' by using any part of your body so that it gives you access to distinctive sounds of a real flute or xylophone and so on. 

The Skoop' provides those who are unable to play a musical instrument with a chance to make their own special music. 

Real music can be created by the 'skoog' instantly responded to your real expression and feeling. 

 How it works?  

To play the 'Skoog', the first thing to do is plug a wire straight into your computer or laptop's USB port, and simply touch, press, squash, twist, tap the Skoog. It allows you to play a wide range of instruments, intuitively.  

Do you want more information?
http://www.skoogmusic.com/ 



HAPI Drum, No typical drum sounds here



You don't need any musical background to enjoy this unique drum called 'HAPI'. You can tap any part of this to play percussive beats. What mostly distinguish 'HAPI' from any other common drum is that it has mysterious sounds for creating distinctive harmony, so you can be absorbed in indescribable music aura you are making with HAPI. In addition, because of its compact design you can carry this with you anywhere and anytime you feel like grooving.

Do you want more information?
http://www.hapitones.com/

Cutting edge technology doesn't necessary bring us convenience

                                                    " Touch     Order"



Self-ordering system - Touch Order
How It Works ?
 It works as follows. Both an RFID reader and tagged menu are stationed at each table. The customer plugs the reader into their mobile phone, then points it at the items on the menu they wish to order. The complete order is transmitted to the kitchen, and a charge is made through the phone. When the order is ready, a text message notifies the customer to come pick up their tray at the counter.
One requirement of the system is that a customer download a special interfacing program to their phone. Reportedly, most phones manufactured within the last two years can handle the program.

Why no longer available ?
 This called "Touch Order" is the first self-ordering system to use RFID in the world. 

It had first launched at Sinchon McDonald branch of Seoul in 2007. The project processed by Korea telecommunications technology manufacturer SK telecom and McDonald predicted that this system would be expanded to all over the places in Seoul and even to the world.

Despite their ambitious plan, three years from then, I can't find the system even at Sinchon McDonald's in which started the "Touch Order" project for the first time.

So I searched to figure out what happened to them, and I found out some reviews about the system from customers who have experienced when it existed. Actually, they failed to order using cellphone, because there was no clerk who were able to guide the customers to use it. It seemed that McDonald's gave up processing the system. It's most likely because they realized that customers were not attracted to use it.

Such a service actually doesn't contribute to adding that much convenience. Although I can't generalize all customers would prefer to wait in line and get to the counter to order food. In my case, I'd rather do that than ask for RFID reader to plug in my phone and download certain interfacing program to order.
It sounds so complicated and time-consuming process to me. I don't think it brings me convenience.

I guess when technicians developed this " Cool " system, they might have thought that this was so innovative and remarkable, and people would be amazed by cutting edge technology. Even more, they would appreciate the technology which brought convenience for human being.

I think brand new technology doesn't necessary bring us convenience. Sometimes new technology turn out to be useless and rejected by market. The most important thing to be considered before introducing brand new idea is not how amazing the technology itself but what customers truly need.  

Blanket with Sleeves, What a new idea for my country!

  While I was doing research for hot and new item, I found this very charming product in a website for Christmas present. As one of those who loves snuggling under a blanket, I thought that 'Blanket with Sleeves' was such a brilliant idea I've never seen before. However, after I looked into this idea for a moment, I figured out this type of products have already been so popular and widely known. The first brand of this idea was born in 2006. There are several brands only specialized in this idea.

A blogger has published post about the comparison of those brands really well.
You can check this link.
 http://gizmodo.com/5190557/ultimate-battle-the-snuggie-vs-slanket-vs-freedom-blanket-vs-blankoat

I have to admit that I had no idea this thing was already quite common in the United States.
Seriously, I've never seen  this product before today. But I'm not isolated from the trend.
Actually, this idea is still new to Korea and it might be the same in lots of nations.

GS TV shopping channel in South Korea started selling those type of blanket named as Magicozy at the end of November in 2010. Since the idea has not been introduced in Korea market, shopping hosts had to bring up successful stories of US market, and they used 'Slanket' CEO video interview as a reference to help customer understand the concept of the product.

I believe that this wouldn't be the only case we experience. It makes me think 'Glovalizaion' is still far,
and ask myself  "Why can't we just know where to find something really cool? Why should we wait until something is introduced in our domestic market?"
If it's true that the world is flat as Thomas Friedman insisted, how come it takes so long for us to access some cool things all over the world!

Cool and easy way to find your beloved pets

What do you do to find your lost pets?

Posting a sign that you are looking for a missing pet, this is likely the most common method.

As Hollywood actress Sandra Bullock and her husband Jesse James have done, you can hire a pet detective to find your missing pet, and also offer a $2,000 reward to anyone who safely returns your precious one. 

Or, this radio frequency ID (RFID) could be one of option. As you know, to get help from this electronic identification, you need to have this RFID chip implanted under your pet's skin. The charming point of this is that unlike a tag on a collar, the RFID chip can’t be easily torn off, lost, or removed. So chances to find your pet are higher than the tag, but you should remind that chances to cause your pet to get cancer also get higher.



So what can be the coolest thing to save your pet? 

  To get this service, the first step is to purchase a Canadian-made BlanketID tag and then register it with the British Columbia-based service. Registering process includes pet owners create an online record of their contact information as well as photos, medical notes and other details about their pet.
  If a pet with a BlanketID go missing, the owner simply notifies the service, and it will automatically send a broadcast email to the local SPCA, animal hospitals, shelters and other local BlanketID members.
  Included in that email is a link to the owner's online data so that everybody has 24/7 access to all the information they might need to help identify the lost pet. When the pet is found, the finder can enter the BlanketID tag number at the company's website to gain immediate access to all of the information they need to care for and safely return the pet.

Do you want more information?
http://www.blanketid.com/

PetRescuers Application

  The app called PetRescuers can help pet owners to find their lost pet by using a database of 500,000 volunteers who receive emails to alret them of any lost pets in their area. Since 1996, over 600,000 pets have been returned to their families by this network.
  To use this app, you should enroll as a member and have your pet microchipped. This permanent pet ID provides you with access to register in the Home Again membership program that includes services to protect lost and found pets.

    

Zoombak GPS Locater

Personalized Safety Zones
   A safety zone is a personalized virtual boundary around a location that you’ve chosen. When your dog enters or leaves an active safety zone, you can be alerted via email and/or text message. You can create up to 10 safety zones, all of which can be active simultaneously at any given time. Safety zones can be quickly and easily turned on and off via a website.

Do you want more information?
http://zoombak.com/

Let's start finding "Hidden Gem"!

My name is Ji-eun Kim from South Korea. I'm still university student interested in international trade. To get hands on experience, I started selling things in ebay a couple of months ago. I'm dreaming of becoming an expert in international trade. That's why I've decided to start this blog "Hidden Gem Finder" The purpose of this blog is to collect valuable information on hidden products all over the world.

Given that international trade has already been common, we can easily get nice and reasonable price products from other countries. But there are still so many "hidden gems" waiting to be found all over the world. So my goal should be finding amazing and useful but hidden products all over the world. Plus, I want to share this information with those who will be interested in this blog.

I wish this blog will prosper and be full of useful information and communication with people having the same interest with me.