US20070235264A1

US20070235264A1 - Modular merchandising system

Info

Publication number: US20070235264A1
Application number: US11/711,261
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony Squitieri; Simon Hopkins; Kurt Haldin; Jay Matusow; Christopher Anderson
Original assignee: Mechtronics Corp
Current assignee: Mechtronics Corp
Priority date: 2006-02-24
Filing date: 2007-02-26
Publication date: 2007-10-11

Abstract

A modular merchandising system includes a base assembly and a termination panel assembly disposed in a retail environment. The base assembly includes tubular posts, and at least a first side panel member, a rear panel member, a horizontal surface member coupled to the tubular posts. The horizontal surface member defines a first merchandise display and service area. The first area has at least one of an inventory of merchandise and components, operable by prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to the inventory of merchandise. The services including one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the inventory, editing the data and outputting the inputted data or the edited data. The base assembly also includes at least one drawer. The drawer defines a second merchandise service area having components for providing complementary services. The termination panel assembly includes a pair of tubular posts and a second side panel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of copending, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/776,499, filed Feb. 24, 2006, which is a continuation of and claim priority benefit to commonly owned, copending, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/055,950, filed Feb. 10, 2005, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/543,333, filed Feb. 10, 2004. The disclosures of the aforementioned U.S. patent applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to systems for displaying merchandise and providing services related to the merchandise in, for example, a retail environment and, more particularly, to a modular merchandising display and service system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of merchandise are marketed by placing the merchandise in a position that is clearly visible to potential consumers. Conventional merchandise display units provide an array of vertically spaced, horizontally extending display bins, trays, shelves and the like that are both aesthetically pleasing and provide convenient access to merchandise by consumers. Typically, merchandise display units combine numerous standardized hardware and accessories such as, for example, slat wall and peg board panels, dividers, posts and similar structures for receiving product support hardware such as brackets, hangers, shelf supports, and the like for supporting bins, trays, shelving and other specialized merchandise display units. Conventional display systems of this general type include a series of vertical support members or posts connected to panels or walls. Mounting brackets secure the panels to the vertical support members. Merchandise display hardware and accessories (e.g., the aforementioned bins, trays, shelves and the like) may be mounted to the panels and/or directly to the vertical support members. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,698,597 and 5,271,204, describe two such conventional merchandise display systems. Connecting structures and post arrangements for conventional merchandise display systems are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,682,255, 6,185,887, 5,150,554 and 4,867,320. The disclosures of the aforementioned U.S. patents are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
In most retail environments, display systems focus on supplying consumers with products or services. Such supply-type display units are configured to allow the bulk storage, organization and display of merchandise. Additionally, the space that is available in a retail environment for merchandise display must be utilized effectively in order to maximize the revenue generated from merchandise displayed within a certain retail floor space. Therefore, conventional supply-type display systems are often customized to fit available floor space and/or to display certain merchandise.
Generally speaking, the retail environment is ever-changing as consumers' styles, trends and needs change. For example, user-friendly and interactive shopping environments are often employed to attract consumers of certain electronic products such as computers, traditional and digital photographic equipment (e.g., traditional and digital cameras, camcorders and the like). Interactive shopping environments include environments where products offered for sale are integrated with supporting services and components for delivering such services. The inventors of the present invention have realized that a preferred shopping environment for such merchandise would have displays providing stations for the use and/or demonstration of products and services offered, feature technological innovations and direct consumers to complementary product offerings. Such interactive and collaborative retail environments not only capture the attention of consumers but also encourage repeat visits to a store.
In an effort to achieve the preferred interactive and collaborative retail environment, vertical support members, panels, display hardware and accessories of conventional supply-type display units are custom assembled in a number of configurations. However, once assembled, conventional display units are not adaptable to change. The inventors of the present invention have realized that the primary role of conventional supply-type display units cannot be altered to achieve the preferred collaborative retail environments without time consuming and costly modification and, more often, by replacement of an existing structure with another customized, fixed structure. As such, conventional display systems are not seen to offer flexibility in providing configurations that adapt to use in various retail locations, positioning and quantities of components and systems providing services to consumers, or replacement of components and systems when it is desired to offer new technological innovations to customers.
Accordingly, the inventors have discovered that a need exists for a modular merchandising system and support structure that can be changed to implement a collaborative retail environment now and in the future.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a modular merchandising system for a retail environment. The modular merchandising system includes a base assembly and a termination panel assembly. The base assembly includes tubular posts, and at least a first side panel member, a rear panel member, a horizontal surface member coupled to the tubular posts; The horizontal surface member defines a first merchandise display and service area. The first area has at least one of an inventory of merchandise and components, operable by prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to the inventory of merchandise. The services including one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the inventory, editing the data and outputting the inputted data or the edited data. The base assembly also includes at least one drawer. The drawer defines a second merchandise service area having components for providing complementary services. The termination panel assembly includes a pair of tubular posts and a second side panel.
In one embodiment, one or more second base assemblies are connected between the termination panel assembly and the base assembly. Each of the one or more second base assemblies defining one or more of the first merchandise display and service area, the second merchandise service area and a third merchandise display and service area. The third merchandise display and service area having at least one of a second inventory of merchandise being offered for sale to prospective purchasers of the merchandise and a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory of merchandise. The services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory, editing the inputted data and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments given below is considered in conjunction with the figures provided, wherein:
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a modular merchandising system configured, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, as a starter module;
FIG. 2 is a partial view of an interior portion of the starter module of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate various configurations of starter modules, in accordance with the present invention, to provide various merchandise display and services areas of a merchandising system suited to particular retail environments.
FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a modular merchandising system configured, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, by providing the starter module of FIG. I with a second module to form an expanded functionality merchandising system;
FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate various multi-assembly merchandising systems configured in accordance with the present invention; and
FIGS. 6A-6C, 7A-7B and 8 illustrate modular merchandising systems configured, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, as a starter module supplemented with add-on kits to form an expanded functionality merchandising systems;
In these figures like structures are assigned like reference numerals, but may not be referenced in the description of all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should be appreciated that while described and illustrated as a modular merchandising system for displaying and offering services related to an inventory of electronic merchandise such as, for example, traditional film and digital photographic products and equipment (e.g., multi-media flash memory cards for digital photography, single use cameras, and the like), the scope of the present invention may be varied by those skilled in the art and used as a merchandising system for displaying merchandise and for providing services complimentary to such merchandise in other retail environments.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate one embodiment of a modular merchandising system 10 of the present invention. The modular merchandising system 10 includes a base assembly, shown generally at 20, and a termination panel assembly, shown generally at 90, removably coupled to the base assembly 20. One or more base assemblies, configured substantially the same as base assembly 20, and the termination panel assembly 90 are selectively arranged to define a plurality of merchandise display and service areas, as described herein.
The base assembly 20 includes a plurality of vertically oriented tubular posts 22, a side panel 24, a rear panel 26 and a horizontal surface member 28. Each of the panels 24 and 26 extends from and is coupled to at least one of the tubular posts 22. The horizontal surface member 28 is also coupled to the tubular posts 22. In one embodiment, the base assembly 20 also includes at least one drawer 30 removably coupled to the tubular posts 22 below the horizontal surface member 28. As described in detail below, the drawer 30 contains components for providing services to prospective purchasers of merchandise (e.g., the aforementioned traditional film and digital photographic equipment) presented in the merchandising system 10. In one embodiment, the base assembly 20 also includes a second drawer or shelf 40 (FIG. 2) disposed within an interior portion of the base assembly 20 and concealed by a removably coupled panel or door 42. The shelf 40 supports additional components for providing services to the prospective purchasers of merchandise.
In accordance with the present invention, the horizontal surface member 28 defines a first merchandise display and service area 50. As shown in FIG. 1B, the first merchandise display and service area 50 includes a plurality of components 52 of the merchandising system 10, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, to input data (e.g., image data), preview, select, edit and output the data as, for example, a photographic image of the data (e.g., duplicate prints), or downloading the inputted and/or edited image data. In one embodiment, the components 52 include a central processing unit (CPU) 54, a monitor 56 and input devices 58 for reading image data from a memory card of a digital camera, camcorder, or the like, or by using a compatible communication link 60 (e.g., wired or wireless communication channel) reading image data from mobile computing device having image and/or graphic processing capabilities or multi-media content recorders and players such as, for example, a mobile phone, laptop, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), iPod, and the like. These cameras, computing devices, recorders, players, and the like, are shown collectively as a portable device 62. In one embodiment, the components 52 include a communications card or device such as, for example, a modem or network adapter, coupled to the CPU 54 such that the inputted and/or edited data (e.g., the image data) is retrieved from and/or stored to a remotely located computing device via a local or global communications network such as, for example, the Internet, an intranet or an extranet. In another embodiment, the components include a film processing system (not shown) that accepts a print film canister and automatically retrieves image data from the canister for processing.
In accordance with the present invention, the drawer 30 defines a second merchandise service area 70 and the shelf 40 defines a third merchandise service area 80. In one embodiment, the drawer 30 includes a scanner (not shown) for scanning a previously processed photograph and the shelf 40 supports a printer 44. As can be appreciated, the input devices 58 of the first merchandise display and service area 50 and scanner of the second merchandise service area 70 are operatively coupled and provide electronic image data to the CPU 54 so that the consumer may input, preview and edit the electronic image, for example, by enlarging or cropping unwanted portions of the image, enhancing or diminishing color, contrast or the like, adding, changing and deleting text or borders, graphics or otherwise tailoring the image, within the retail environment. In one embodiment, the CPU 54 is coupled to output devices such as, for example, the printer 44 of the third merchandise service area 80 and/or other high quality photo printers, high-speed printers, and a disk drive 46 (e.g., optical or digital storage devices such as CD ROM burner, zip or floppy drives) so that consumers may purchase the inputted and/or edited image data in the form of print photograph or image data downloaded onto storage media (e.g., a CD ROM or diskette). In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 1B, the disk drive 46 is disposed in the first merchandise display and service area 50 and the printer 44 is disposed in the third merchandise display and service area 80 located on the shelf 40 disposed within an interior portion of the base assembly 20 and concealed by the door 42.
The termination panel assembly 90 includes a pair of vertically oriented tubular posts 92 and a side panel 94 extending between and coupled to the pair of tubular posts 92. The termination panel assembly 90 is coupled to the base assembly 20 terminating the first merchandise display and service area 50. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the tubular posts 22 and 92 and the panels 24, 26 and 94, extend above an upper surface of the horizontal surface member 28 to define an integrated shield that provides privacy to consumers at the merchandising system 10. The integrated shield permits consumers to input, preview, edit and output the inputted and/or edited electronic image within a retail environment while having privacy attributes attributed to performing such activities within their own homes and/or offices.
In one embodiment, the tubular posts 22 and 92, the panels 24, 26 and 94, the horizontal surface member 28, the drawer 30 and the shelf 40 are structurally similar to corresponding elements described in the aforementioned commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/055,950. Accordingly, the panels 24, 26 and 94, horizontal surface member 28, drawer 30, shelf 40, and door 42 are connected by fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts and the like) to adapters, brackets, fittings and/or inserts, as is generally known to those skilled in the art, disposed in channels of the tubular posts 22 and 92 providing the necessary structural support for the merchandising system 10.
A perceived advantage of the merchandising system, as described herein, is its ability to adapted to a variety of retail environments by accommodating a desired configuration of components for displaying an inventory of merchandise and providing services complementary to the inventory of merchandise. It should be appreciated that a desired configuration of components is achieved with the inventive merchandising system both when the merchandising system is first deployed in the retail environment and when a retailer wishes to change a current configuration to employ an expanded and/or reduced footprint and/or wishes to add, change or remove certain components to adapt the merchandising system to a latest trend in the retail space.
In one aspect of the present invention, described above, the base assembly 20 and termination panel assembly 90 of the modular merchandising system 10 are selectively arranged to define a plurality of merchandise display and service areas. That is, the base assembly 20 may be configured in a variety of ways to provide various merchandise display and services areas to suit a particular retail environment. For example, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the horizontal surface member 28 defining the first merchandise display and service area 50, the drawer 30 defining the second merchandise service area 70 and the shelf 40 defining the third merchandise service area 80. FIG. 3A illustrates a merchandising system 100 having a base assembly 120 and termination panel assembly 160. As compared to the base assembly 20, the base assembly 120 includes a relatively wider width (e.g., an expanded base section, shown generally at 122) accommodating similar and additional merchandise display and service areas. In one embodiment, the base assembly 20 of the merchandising system 10 is about twenty eight inches in width and the base assembly 120 of the merchandising system 100 is about thirty nine inches in width.
In FIG. 3A, for example, a horizontal surface member 126 provides a similar, although wider, first merchandise display and service area 128 as compared to the first merchandise display and service area 70, a drawer 130 includes, for example, a scanner, to provide a second merchandise service area 132 and a panel or door 140 conceals a shelf disposed in an interior portion of the base assembly 120 to provide a third merchandise service area 142. In one embodiment, the third merchandise service area 142 includes, for example, a photo printer, such as a model 8800 printer of the Eastman Kodak Company (Rochester, N.Y., USA). Additionally, panels or doors 150 and 160, respectively, conceal shelves providing a fourth and a fifth merchandise service area 152 and 162, respectively, within interior portions of the expanded section 122 of the base assembly 120. In one embodiment, the fourth and fifth merchandise service areas 152 and 162, each include, for example, a photo printer, such as a model 6850 printer of the Eastman Kodak Company (Rochester, N.Y., USA).
While FIG. 3A illustrates a merchandising system 100 having an expanded base assembly (e.g., base assembly 120), it is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a relatively narrow base assembly as compared to the base assembly 20, such as base assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 3B having a reduce width of, for example, about nineteen inches. It should be appreciated that it is within the scope of the present invention to employ various other the base assembly configurations. For example, FIG. 3C illustrates a base assembly 300 having a horizontal surface member 310 defining a first merchandise display and service area 312 and two panels or doors 320 and 330, respectively, conceals shelves disposed in an interior portion of the base assembly 300 to provide a second merchandise service area 322 and a third merchandise service area 332, respectively. In one embodiment, the second and third merchandise service areas 322 and 332 each include, for example, a photo printer, such as a model 6850 printer of the Eastman Kodak Company (Rochester, N.Y., USA) or other devices for outputting electronic image data such as, for example, an optical or digital storage devices such as CD ROM burner, zip or floppy disk drives.
In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3D, a base assembly 360 includes one merchandise display and service area 362. In this embodiment, additionally services may be provides at a location remote from the base assembly 360 such as, for example, printing services provided at an on-site photo lab within the larger retail environment (e.g., a back room area of a retail store). It should be appreciated that one or more of the aforementioned merchandising systems and base assemblies included therein may be configured to accommodate special needs consumers and thus may be compliant to various provisions seeking to provide improved access to such individuals in the work place and retail environments. One provision for which various aspects of the aforementioned merchandising systems provide accommodations in sizes and functionality of its components, is the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (45 U.S.C. §12101, et seq.). For example, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide horizontal surface members including components operable by prospective consumers to be of a height accessible by an individual in a wheelchair. It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide electronic components that provide improved accessibility such as, for example, touch screens, large type face and brail instruction pads and keyboards, and the like.
In another aspect of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, one of the aforementioned merchandising systems (e.g., the merchandising system of FIG. 1B), is a starter module 400 (FIG. 4A) with one or more additional modules of a same or differing configuration connected to the starter module 400 to form a merchandising system 500 having expanded functionality, e.g., a system providing a desired variety of merchandise display and services areas. In FIG. 4B, a base assembly 410 and a termination panel assembly 420 of the starter module 400 are disconnected. The termination panel assembly 420 is connected to a second base assembly 440. The second base assembly 440 is then connected to the base assembly 410 to form the merchandising system 500 (FIG. 4C) having expanded functionality, e.g., the additional functional is achieved over the starter module 400 by adding components from the second base assembly 440 to those of the starter module 400. It should be appreciated that it is within the scope of the present invention for any combination of the above-described configurations of base assemblies to be employed as the starter module 400 and/or as the additional or second base assembly 440 to provide a wide variety of merchandising systems. It should also be appreciated that while shown in a side-by-side configuration, it is within the scope of the present invention to connect the starter module and second base module in other configurations. FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate various configurations. For example, FIG. 5A illustrates a multi-assembly in-line merchandising system 510; FIG. 5B illustrates a multi-assembly, staggered merchandising system 520; FIG. 5C illustrates a multi-assembly, corner merchandising system 530 including a corner counter 532; and FIG. 5D illustrates a multi-sided, multi-assembly merchandising system 540.
In another aspect of the invention, additional functional is provided to the merchandising system and, more particularly, to a starter module 600 (FIG. 6A) by adding on components without disassembly of the starter module 600. In FIG. 6B a merchandise display and service module 610 is coupled to the starter module 600 to provide, for example, a first bay 612 for displaying a first inventory 614 of merchandise being offered for sale to prospective purchasers of the merchandise and a second bay 614 for displaying a second inventory of merchandise being offered for sale to prospective purchasers of the merchandise to form a merchandising system 650 as an end-cap (FIG. 6C) having expanded functionality, e.g., additional functional achieved over the starter module 600 by adding components from the merchandise display and service module 610 to those of the starter module 600. In one embodiment, the bays 612 and 614 include product support hardware 616 such as brackets, hangers, shelf supports, and the like for supporting bins, trays, shelving and the other specialized merchandise display units to improve access and visibility to the merchandise. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate providing additional functionality to two starter modules 710 and 720 arranged in, for example, a back-to-back configuration, (FIG. 7A) by adding a first merchandise display module 730 having a first bay 732 for displaying an inventory of merchandise 734 and a second merchandise display module 740 having a second bay 742 for displaying a second inventory of merchandise (not shown), to form a merchandising system 750 as a two-sided island configuration. FIG. 8 illustrates a merchandise display and service module 780 coupled to one side of a starter module 790 to provide, for example, a bay 782 for displaying an inventory of merchandise 784 being offered for sale to prospective purchasers of the merchandise to form a merchandising system 795 having expanded functionality, e.g., the additional functional achieved over the starter module 790 by adding the bay 782.

A few perceived advantages and benefits achieved from features of the present invention are seen to include:



Feature	Benefit

Modular, flexible,	Merchandising system that grows with a
expandable	retail environment, which leads to costs
	savings
Improved in-store presence	Increased customer and inventory
	throughput
Increased product trial	More satisfied customers leading to
	increased sales and greater profit
Improved retail space	Greater profit per square foot of retail
management	space

As can be appreciated, the modular character of the merchandising systems described herein, allows the systems to maintain existing retail space and/or expand into new space, by adding new components and services as they are developed. Moreover, the integrating of systems for displaying merchandise with systems that provide supporting services for such merchandise is seen to enhance the appeal of the retail environment for consumers. As can be appreciated, attractive, user-friendly retail environments lead to more sales and thus, more successful merchandising solution for retailers.
It should also be appreciated that due in part to the modular nature of the merchandising systems described herein, components of the merchandising systems may be provided as an unassembled kit. Components of the kit may be assembled in the retail environment to achieve the desired retail footprint. For example, a first embodiment of modular merchandising system configured in accordance with the present invention and including a first base assembly a plurality of vertically oriented tubular posts, at least a first side panel member and a rear panel member extending from and coupled to at least one of the tubular posts, and a horizontal surface member coupled to the tubular posts. The horizontal surface member defines a first merchandise display and service area having a plurality of components including at least one of a device for inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from an inventory of items and a device for editing the inputted data and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data, and at least one drawer removably coupled to the tubular posts below the horizontal surface member, the drawer defining a second merchandise display and service area having a plurality of the components. The first embodiment of the modular merchandising system includes a termination panel assembly removably coupled to the first base assembly at a second side opposite the first side panel. The termination panel assembly including a pair of vertically oriented tubular posts and a second side panel extending between and coupled to the pair of tubular posts. As noted above, it is within the scope of the present invention to modify the first embodiment of the modular merchandising system to include at least one or more second base assemblies coupled between the termination panel assembly and the first base assembly. The second base assemblies defining one or more of the first merchandise display and service area, the second merchandise service area and the third merchandise service area, and a fourth merchandise display and service area. In one embodiment, the fourth merchandise display and service area includes at least one of a second inventory of merchandise being offered for sale to prospective purchasers of the merchandise and a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory of merchandise. In one embodiment, the services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory, editing the inputted data and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data.
Although described in the context of preferred embodiments, it should be realized that a number of modifications to these teachings may occur to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A modular merchandising system, comprising:

a first base assembly disposed in a retail environment, the first base assembly having:

a plurality of vertically oriented tubular posts;

at least a first side panel member and a rear panel member, each of the panel members extending from and coupled to at least one of the tubular posts;

a horizontal surface member coupled to the tubular posts, the horizontal surface member defining a first merchandise display and service area, the first area having a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to a first inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of:

inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the first inventory; and

editing the inputted data and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data; and

at least one drawer removably coupled to the tubular posts below the horizontal surface member, the drawer defining a second merchandise display and service area having a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to the first inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the first inventory and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data; and

a termination panel assembly removably coupled to the first base assembly at a second side opposite the first side panel, the termination panel assembly including:

a pair of vertically oriented tubular posts; and

a second side panel extending between and coupled to the pair of tubular posts.

2. The modular merchandising system of claim I, further comprising:

a second drawer removably coupled to the tubular posts below the at least one drawer, the second drawer defining a third merchandise display and service area having a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to the first inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the first inventory and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data.

3. The modular merchandising system of claim 2, further comprising:

one or more second base assemblies coupled between the termination panel assembly and the first base assembly, each of the one or more second base assemblies defining one or more of the first merchandise display and service area, the second merchandise display and service area and the third merchandise display and service area, and a fourth merchandise display and service area, the fourth merchandise display and service area having at least one of:

a second inventory of merchandise being offered for sale to prospective purchasers of the merchandise; and

a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory, editing the inputted data and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data.

4. The modular merchandising system of claim 1, wherein the components of the first merchandise display and service area include a device for inputting electronic image data provided by a prospective purchaser, a processing unit and a monitor coupled to the input device such that the prospective purchaser may preview and edit the inputted electronic image data, and an output device coupled to the processing unit such that the prospective purchaser may purchase at least one of the inputted and edited image data.

5. The modular merchandising system of claim 4, wherein the input device includes a reader for reading image data from a memory card of digital photographic equipment and a communication link for retrieving image data from a portable computing device.

6. The modular merchandising system of claim 1, wherein the components of the second merchandise display and service area include at least one of a scanner for scanning a previously processed print photograph.

7. A modular merchandising system, comprising:

a plurality of vertically oriented tubular posts;

at least one drawer removably coupled to the tubular posts below the horizontal surface member, the drawer defining a second merchandise display and service area having a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to the first inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the first inventory and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data;

a second base assembly coupled to the first base assembly at a second side opposite the first side panel, the second base assembly defining one or more of the first merchandise display and service area, the second merchandise display and service area and the third merchandise display and service area, and a fourth merchandise display and service area, the fourth merchandise display and service area having at least one of:

a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory, editing the inputted data and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data; and

a termination panel assembly removably coupled to the second base assembly at a side opposite the first base assembly, the termination panel assembly including:

a pair of vertically oriented tubular posts; and

a second side panel extending between and coupled to the pair of tubular posts.