Duane Reade First US Drug Store Chain with a Tensator Virtual Assistant

Next Gen Customizable Digital Signage Tensator Virtual Assistant Solution Wows Customers.

Manhattan, N.Y. – July 6, 2011 – Duane Reade, New York City’s largest drug store chain in partnership with Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company – and world leader in queue management solutions, today unveiled at the company’s grand opening of its Wall Street megastore, the industry’s first Virtual Assistant. A next-generation digital signage solution, the Tensator Virtual Assistant provides Duane Reade and its customers with an exciting information, brand and promotional messaging medium using the very latest in holographic imaging and audio-visual technology to create the illusion of a real person.

The completely customized Virtual Assistant greets New Yorkers to the newest Duane Reade store, immediately engaging customers and providing guidance on everything store related — instructions on seeing the “Doctor on Premise,” getting a virtual makeover, hours of operation, checkout information and even makes suggestions and recommendations on leading brand foods, drinks, cosmetics, hair and pharmaceutical choices available to customers.

“Our Virtual Greeter is an essential part of the “wow factor” we have built into our newest store and serves as ambassador of the new Duane Reade customer experience,” said Paul Tiberio, Senior Vice President of Merchandising & Chief Marketing Officer for Duane Reade. “The virtual aspect captures shoppers’ attention from the moment they enter the store – engaging their visual and auditory senses. And because the Virtual Assistant is so compelling, shoppers are receptive to the wealth of information she provides, enabling them to get the big picture of everything the store has to offer in a very personal and exciting way. We are delighted to work with Lawrence and proud to be the first drug store chain to welcome, inform, educate and guide its shoppers with our Virtual Greeter.”

“Duane Reade immediately recognized the incredible benefits the Tensator Virtual Assistant provides to their newest location,” said Bill Vetter, General Manager, Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company. “With the multitude of offerings in this premiere store and 24/7 operations, Tensator’s Virtual Assistant provides the industry’s most advanced solution to deliver a consistent store and brand message with customizable content in real time helping Duane Reade communicate with their customers, empowering them to make the most of this incredible New York shopping experience.”

Lawrence is also enhancing the customer journey and increasing revenues within the Duane Reade store by installing anIn-Queue Merchandising system (IQM). This system transforms unused space in the queue into a valuable retail area, enabling Duane Reade to boost impulse sales among queuing customers by up to 400 per cent.

Already in place in the UK at London Luton and Birmingham Airports, Tensator Virtual Assistants are generating interest across the world, and across every vertical sector. Some of the next-stage developments for the Tensator Virtual Assistant include interactivity, location awareness and virtual helpdesks.