WO2012054972A1

WO2012054972A1 - A merchandise retailing structure

Info

Publication number: WO2012054972A1
Application number: PCT/AU2011/001364
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Reid Rennie Richie; Rebecca Bulic; Michael Cramp
Original assignee: Luxottica Retail Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-10-26
Filing date: 2011-10-26
Publication date: 2012-05-03

Abstract

The invention relates to an eyewear merchandise retailing structure adapted for use in retail premises which vend a mixture of both high value and lower value merchandise. The retail premises allow high value merchandise to be secured and simultaneously be displayed to customers. The structure has a high value as well as a low value merchandise zone. There is a physical barrier impeding access to the high value zone with limited access and preferably a single access portal to the high value zone. This portal is positioned away from and preferably opposite the physical security barrier. There is a transit zone leading fro the lower value zone to the high value zone. At least a portion of the physical security barrier allows a view of the high value merchandise from the lower value merchandise zone.

Description

A MERCHANDISE RETAILING STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to improvements in or in relation to retail premises for eyewear. Preferably the present Invention can provide a merchandise retailing structure adapted for use in retail premises which vend a mixture of both high value and lower value merchandise. The retail premises of the present Invention allow high value merchandise to be secured and simultaneously be displayed to customers.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The design and layout of retail premises must take into account customers desire to see and inspect the goods offered In addition to the need to secure these goods against theft. A balance must be struck between these two conflicting requirements - with the value of the goods in question generally dictating which requirement has a higher priority to the operator of the premises.

Both design criteria are important In retail operations as sales must be made for the retailer to turn a profit. Conversely stock loss can have an adverse effect on retailers profits. Retailers must also take Into account the health, safety, and well being of their staff who must be guarded against the goods offered attracting violent or armed thieves.

A traditional approach taken to secure high value goods alms to restrict public access to the entire retail premises, where priority Is placed on securing the goods offered over providing customer access to goods.

A classic example of this type of approach is demonstrated by most jewellery outlets which have premises with a single entry and exit point only - possibly with an 'air-lock' style security cage associated with this single entry point. High ratios of staff to customers can also be maintained on such premises, as can visible security guard personnel. Such jewellery retailers also generally employ a locked glass cabinetry to display their stock which prevents customers from handling these goods without the assistance of the sales staff.

This overt focus on security can discourage casual customers. Barriers to entry and obvious supervision may discourage some casual potential customers from entering such premises and inspecting the high value goods on offer. Furthermore these high security focused approaches can be capital intensive to install and also expensive to operate.

This traditional high security retailing approach cannot be easily utilised in other types of retail operations with wide ranges of merchandise value. Such retail operations currently have difficulty in balancing customer access to merchandise against security - particularly when small, lightweight, and easily portable high value goods are offered. Where a retailer offers comparatively low cost high sales volume merchandise in combination with relatively high cost low volume merchandise is extremely difficult to balance these conflicting requirements.

It would be of advantage to have an improved system, method, apparatus and/or retailing structure which addressed any of the above Issues. Improvements to the state of the art which allowed a high degree of customer access to low value merchandise and which effectively secured high value merchandise while preserving the visibility of such merchandise to customers would be of advantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an eyewear merchandise retailing structure for displaying and controlling access to high value merchandise, said structure defining, a high value merchandise zone, and a lower value merchandise zone, and a physical security barrier impeding access to the high value merchandise zone from the lower value merchandise zone, and limited access means to the high value merchandise zone, this limited access means being positioned away from the physical security barrier, and at least one transit zone leading from the low value merchandise zone to the access portal, wherein at least a portion of the physical security barrier allows a view of the high value merchandise zone from the low value merchandise zone.

Ideally, the limited access means Is a single access portal associated with the high value merchandise zone that provides the sole access point to the high value merchandise zone, this access portal being positioned substantially on the opposite side of the high value merchandise zone to the physical security barrier.

The present invention is adapted to provide a merchandise retailing structure and also a method or mechanism of using same in the retailing of merchandise. As discussed In general throughout the specification, this merchandise retailing structure may be provided through a specific layout or fit-out of a retail premises. Through the provision of the components of this structure discussed below for such a structure a retail premises may be laid out to both display and control customer access to high value merchandise. The retailing structure provided can therefore be used to clearly display and potentially garner customers' interests in high value merchandise while also securing such merchandlse from theft.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that a wide range of different types of eyewear merchandise may be retailed with the assistance of the present invention. However, the retailing structure provided can provide specific advantages to retailers who vend ) mixture of both high value and comparatively lower and low value merchandise. Such retailers may wish to provide a high level of access to customers with respect to lower value merchandise to facilitate high sales volumes. However it would also be of advantage to expose the entire customer base to the high value merchandise to promote an asplrational desire for same in all customers - irrespective whether all customers can af| >rd to purchase such high value merchandise. In a preferred embodiment the merchandise vended may be ranges of different forms of eyewear, including for example prescription glasses and frames in addition to sun protection or sun glasses. Such merchandise may also include eyewear designed for use in particular sporting activities, and may also include designer eyewear which potentially may have been customised or produced in relatively low volumes.

In such applications, high value merchandise may be formed from designer eyewear produced utilising precious metals and/or precious gemstones. Such eyewear can fetch significant prices both due to the aspirational nature of the eyewears' brand in addition to the cost of production associated with the use of precious metals and/or precious gemstones.

Reference in general throughout this specification will be made to the high value eyewear merchandise vended being in particular high value designer sun glasses integrating precious metals and/or precious gemstones. In such instances a retailer will be likely to also offer relatively low value eyewear in conjunction with such premium jewellery based sun glasses. High value sun glasses present an attractive target to thieves due to their considerable value, small size, and portable nature. Furthermore, vendors of such sun glasses are also likely to be selling relatively low cost sun glasses and therefore have need for the advantages provided by the present invention.

Reference In general throughout this specification will also be made to the present Invention being used within a retail premises focused on vending sun glasses and sun glasses related products. However those skilled in the art should appreciate that the present invention may be used with a range of different types of merchandise or goods involving eyewear and reference the above in isolation should in no way be seen as limiting.

Preferably the retailing structure provided includes at least one lower value merchandise zone. This lower value zone can be used to display and otherwise provide access to low or lower value merchandise. More than one such zone may be provided and customer may be able to circulate freely between such zones as Is usual In retail premises. In some embodiments the lower value zone may be completely or readily accessible to the general public and potentially may also allow such general public customers physical access to low value merchandise, providing customers with the ability to handle and/or try on merchandise such as low value sun glasses.

Such a low value merchandise zone may preferably be located adjacent to a public entrance or exit area servicing a retail premises. This low value merchandise zone can be relatively large with respect to the entire floor area of the retail premises, allowing a high volume of sales to be generated from the majority of the retailers' customers who are provided access to the low value merchandise zone. This relatively large allocation of floor area to the low value merchandise zone also allows for a wide range of comparatively low value merchandise to be displayed or presented.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the size, shape, or physical floor area configuration of the lower value merchandise zone will vary depending on the retailing application or environment in which the present invention is used.

The merchandise retailing structure provided by the present invention also incorporates a high value merchandise zone, which is arranged to both concurrently display and secure high value merchandise. This high value zone will, In general, tend to be of a smaller floor area or size when compared to that of the low value merchandise zone. Furthermore, the high value zone can also be enclosed and protected from unauthorised access, thereby securing the high value merchandise contained within this high value merchandise zone area.

Those skilled in the art should again appreciate that the size, configuration, or specific layout of a high value merchandise zone may vary depending on the specific retail application or sector with which the present invention is employed. The retailing structure provided by the present invention also incorporates at least one physical security barrier, which impedes access to the high value merchandise zone from the lower value merchandise zone. This physical security barrier also provides or allows a view by a customer of the high value merchandise zone from the low value merchandise zone. The security barrier provided therefore facilitates the display of high value merchandise while also securing such merchandise from unauthorised access by customers present within the low value merchandise zone.

In a preferred embodiment a security barrier may be formed at least in part through by the provision of a vertical displacement or offset between the floor area of the high value merchandise zone and the low value merchandise zone. In such Instances the high value merchandise zone may be raised to a height greater than that of the low value merchandise zone, as a podium or mezzanine area, thereby requiring any unauthorised person to climb a high wall to get to the high value merchandise zone in an attempt to cross the security barrier.

In a preferred embodiment the security barrier may incorporate a transparent wall element which allows customers within the lower value security zone to view the high value merchandise. For example, in some further preferred embodiments reinforced, thickened, or bullet-proof glass may be used to provide such a transparent element as can other suitable transparent plastic materials such as "Perspex", which have suitable strength and structural integrity.

The security barrier or other elements of the retailing structure may normally Incorporate display stands for eyewear. These stands may be standalone units, or may be Incorporated into the security or other barriers.

The stands will be adapted to display the eyewear, in the form of frames for prescription spectacles, or sun glasses for Instance. However, other means for displaying eyewear may also be included in the structure, including pictures of photos of the frames and glasses, video or electronic images of the merchandise, and such like. Mirrors and other reflective display units may also be incorporated in the retailing structure. Reference in general throughout the specification will be made to the security barrier incorporating reinforced security glass or sections disposed on top of a footing which raises the floor of the high value merchandise zone above that of the low value merchandise zone. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that a physical security barrier as employed in conjunction with the present invention may employ other components to those discussed above.

For example, in some embodiments metal bars or wire mesh screens may be disposed between the high and low value security areas to provide a physical security barrier which secures high value merchandise yet still provides a view of such merchandise.

A high value merchandise zone provided in accordance with the present invention Includes limited access, and preferably a single access portal only, which provides sole access to the high value merchandise zone. This sole access portal can be positioned or located on the opposite side or face of the high value merchandise zone to that of the physical barrier separating the high value zone from the low value zone. This single access portal may be formed preferably as a security door, which may only be accessed by authorised personnel employed at a retailing premise. More than a single access portal may be provided as a means of limiting the access to the high value zone. But having a single access portal means that only one security installation will be required in connection with the access, and staff will only need to watch one entry point, which provides cost and efficiency advantages. The preferred single access portal to the high value merchandise may incorporate and include a metal detector system. Such metal detection technology may for instance be built into the framework of a door, forming a single access portal and may be set to have a sensitivity so as to sound an alarm if large metal items, such as guns or crowbars, are brought into the high value zone. The sensitivity of such a metal detector system may be tuned so as to prevent false triggers based on small elements of metal such as watches, belt buckles or shoe eyelet rivets. in a preferred embodiment, the access portal of the high value merchandise zone may also incorporate a merchandise unauthorised-removal detection system, preferably built Into the frame of a door which will form the access portal. Such merchandise detection systems are well known in the retailing Industry and can be utilised to detect the unauthorised removal of stock from the region. In the case of the present Invention, security tag systems may be associated with each item of high value merchandise where a tag will need to be removed within the high value merchandise zone prior to or during purchase by a customer. Such merchandise detection system may be linked to further security based elements or components of the retailing structure as discussed further below.

Preferably, the access portal of the high value merchandise zone may include or incorporate a lock system to prevent unauthorised access to the interior of the high value merchandise zone. This lock system may be formed from any number of a range of technologies, from traditional mechanical locks through to keypad based magnetic door seals.

In a further preferred embodiment, a two-factor authentication lock system may be Integrated within the single access portal. Such two-factor lock would require the presentation of two independent authorisation tokens or authorisation access codes to allow the lock to be disengaged. Such embodiments to independent retailing staff members may be provided with each of the authorisation tokens, keys or access codes where both staff members participation would be needed to deactivate the locking system associated with the access portal. A retailing structure provided In accordance with the present invention also incorporates at least one transit zone which leads from the lower value merchandise zone to the access portal of the high value merchandise zone. A transit zone can be used to provide an authorised path or channel for customers present within the lower value merchandise zone to travel through to and be given access to the high value merchandise zone. Such a transit zone will also increase the distance which needs to be travelled by an unauthorised person to gain access to the high value merchandise zone thereby slowing their progress and allowing security personnel at the retailer's premises to react. The provision of a transit zone may also allow for the detection of the presence of such unauthorised persons who may be trying to gain access to the high value merchandise zone through subterfuge or stealth.

In a preferred embodiment, a transit zone may incorporate or deploy at least one security gate which impedes access or travel through the transit zone. This security gate may, In a further preferred embodiment, be linked to additional security elements such as, for example, a stock removal detection system associated with the access portal of the high value merchandise zone, in such embodiments, the detection of an unauthorised removal of stock from the high value merchandise zone can be communicated to the security gate or gates provided within a transit zone to close access through the transit zone and hopefully trap or prevent the unauthorised removal of merchandise from the retailing structure. In some embodiments, such security gates may also be placed in a closed position or configuration as a default arrangement thereby requiring authorised retail staff members to act to open such security gates to allow potential customers to travel through to the high value merchandise zone. In a preferred embodiment, the retailing structure provided can also include one or more observation systems such as closed-circuit (CCTV) camera systems, which may be monitored by security personnel within a remote security office or installation. Such monitoring camera systems may be deployed such as to provide any combination or permutation of views of the interior of the high value merchandise zone, the exterior of the access portal of the high value merchandise zone, and/or view of the transit zone or transit zones provided within the retailing structure.

In a preferred embodiment the access portal and at least one transit gate are adapted to be remotely locked. For example, security personnel operating within such a remote security office may also be provided with the facility to remotely actuate locking the security systems deployed within the retailing structure if they observe suspicious or criminal activity In conjunction with such camera systems. For example, in some embodiments, a remote security office may transmit control signals to lock systems associated with the access portal of the high value merchandise zone to remotely actuate locks associated with this portal. Other embodiments, control signals may be transmitted to security gates associated with a transit zone or transit zones of the retailing structure or automatically close and also lock such security gates on command from the remote security office. The retailing structure previously mentioned, may function effectively to promote asplrational desires for high value merchandise in all customers, while also engendering a sense of privilege in customers authorised or allowed access into the high value merchandise zone. For example, in some embodiments a retailer may station usher or greeting staff at the main entrance to their retailing presence who greet and assist all general public customers entering the retailing structure. Such ushering staff can seek to identify the VIP or high value customers and immediately act to escort such customers to the high value merchandise zone. These VIP customers will need to be led through the low value merchandise zone and/or the general public customers traversing a transit zone leading up to the high value merchandise zone, preferably ranged as a raised podium or pedestal above and In view of the low value merchandise zone. Security measures associated with a transit zone and the portal giving access to the high value merchandise zone having to be deactivated for the benefit of such VIP customers will again reinforce such feelings of privilege and importance, ultimately resulting in the VIP customer given access to the high value merchandise in full view of the general public customers restricted to the value merchandise zone. This psychological reinforcement of importance and status can therefore act to establish and validate the quality and desirability of the high value .merchandise vended and also the pricing of such high value merchandise. In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "comprising" has the non-exclusive meaning of the word, in the sense of "including at least"' rather than the exclusive meaning in the sense of "consisting only of". The same applies with corresponding grammatical changes to other forms of the word such as ^comprise", "comprises" and so on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan schematic diagram of a merchandise retailing structure as provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment, and

Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the high value merchandise zone of the retailing structure shown with respect to Figure 1, and

Figure 3 shows a side cross-section view of a display stand integrated Into the low value merchandise zone shown with respect to Figure 1, and

Figure 4 shows a rear view of the high value merchandise zone illustrated with respect to Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As can be seen from the Figures 1 to 4, a preferred embodiment of the invention implementing an eyewear merchandise retailing structure is disclosed. In this embodiment the Invention is used to implement the premises of a general eyewear retailer.

The invention provides a merchandise retailing structure 1 composed of a number of sectors or components. In particular the structure incorporates or defines a high value merchandise zone 2 adjacent to a low value merchandise zone 3. The high value zone 2 is separated directly from the low value zone 3 by a physical security barrier 5. The high value zone 2 is assessable only through a single access portal door 6.

The structure also includes a pair of transit zones 7 which lead from the low value merchandise zone 3 to the single access door 6 of the high value merchandise zone 2.

The low value merchandise zone 3 is generally used by a retailer to display and also provide customer access to low value merchandise. In particular, Figure 3 provides a side cross-section view of a display stand system 8 integrated into a wall section 9 of the low value merchandise zone. This wall section 9 Is shown in Figure 2.

As can be seen from Figure 3 the stand 8 provided allows a potential customer to see, touch, inspect, and In this embodiment to remove a pair of glasses from the stand and try them on. The low value merchandise zone 3 therefore provides customers with high levels of access to the merchandise displayed within this zone.

As can be seen from the view provided with respect to Figure 1, the low value merchandise zone 3 also includes a number of display stands at its forefront facing towards the front entrance of the retailing structure. The majority of these display stands are also visible from the street access side of the structure.

As can be seen with respect to Figures 1 and 4, a single access door 6 provides access to the Interior of the high value merchandise zone 2. In the embodiment Illustrated with respect to Figures 1 through 4, the access portal door 6 includes a number of additional security systems (not shown). In particular a lock system is Integrated within the door 6 which requires two factorial authentication to disengage the lock associated with the door 6 and allow it to open. The access portal door 6 also incorporates a merchandise removal detection system which is built into the frame of the door. This detection system can be used to detect the unauthorised removal of high value merchandise from within the interior of the high value merchandise zone 2.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the sole entry portal door 6 can only be reached from the low value merchandise zone 3 by travelling through either of a pair of transit zones 7. These transit zones 7 define channels which authorised persons must pass through to reach the high value merchandise zone from the low value merchandise zone. The provision of these transit zones provide security personnel of the retailer more time to detect the presence of unauthorised persons trying to gain access to the high value merchandise zone. These transit zones also provide more time to apprehend any thieves attempting to exit the retailing structure after having stolen merchandise from the high value merchandise zone.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the high value merchandise zone of the retailing structure shown with respect to Figure 1. Figure 2 shows more clearly the physical security barrier 5 integrated into the structure and dividing the high value merchandise zone 2 from the low value merchandise zone 3. In the preferred embodiment shown, this barrier 5 Is formed from a height differential between the high value zone 2 and the low value zone 3 In combination with a clear plastic wall at the top region forming the barrier 5. The height differential between these two zones makes it difficult for any unauthorised persons to climb directly from the low value zone 3 into the high value zone 2. The clear plastic upper section of the barrier 5 gives customers in the low value zone 3 a clear view of any high value merchandise located within the high value merchandise zone 2. High value merchandise located and displayed within a number of display cases 10 can be presented so as to be visible to customers within the low value merchandise zone 3 without necessarily being accessible to the customers in this zone.

These features of the invention ensure that high value merchandise located within the high value zone 2 is both visible and yet not accessible to customers within the low value merchandise zone 3. Furthermore, customers authorised to access the high value merchandise zone 2 are provided with a feeling of exclusivity and prestige, being allowed into this restricted area In addition to being highly visible to non-authorised customers within the low value merchandise zone 3. It can be seen from Figure 2 that the low value merchandise zone 3 includes an area partitioned or divided from the main area of this zone by an additional wall 9. As discussed above this wall 9 can be composed from or Incorporate the display stands 8 shown with respect to Figure 3. Similar forms of display stands may also be integrated within the construction of the Interior walls of the high value merchandise zone to display high value eyewear to occupants of this zone.

It will be apparent that obvious variations or modifications may be made which are In accordance with the spirit of the invention and which are intended to be part of the invention, and any such obvious variations or modifications are therefore within the scope of the invention. Although the invention is described above with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An eyewear merchandise retailing structure for displaying and

controlling access to high value eyewear merchandise, said structure defining,

a high value merchandise zone, and

a lower value merchandise zone, and

a physical security barrier impeding access to the high value merchandise zone from the lower value merchandise zone, and limited access means being provided to the high value merchandise zone, this access being positioned away from the physical security barrier, and

at least one transit zone leading from the lower value merchandise zone to the access,

wherein at least a portion of the physical security barrier allows a view of the high value merchandise zone from the lower value merchandise zone.

2. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1, wherein the limited access means comprises a single access portal associated with the high value merchandise zone that provides the sole access point to the high value merchandise zone, this access portal being positioned substantially on the opposite side of the high value merchandise zone to the physical security barrier,

3. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 wherein the

merchandise vended Includes designer eyewear containing precious metals and/or precious gemstones.

4. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 wherein the lower value zone is readily accessible by the general public.

5. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 4 wherein a lower value merchandise zone is located adjacent to a public entrance or exit area servicing a retail premises.

6. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 wherein the high value merchandise zone has a smaller floor area when compared to that of the lower value merchandise zone.

7. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 wherein the security barrier is formed at least in part through a vertical displacement between the floor area of the high value merchandise zone and the lower value merchandise zone.

8. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 wherein the security barrier incorporates a transparent wall element that allows a customer within the lower value security zone to view the high value

merchandise.

9. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 wherein the limited access means Is formed as a security door which can only be opened by the authorised personnel of a retailing premise,

10. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 wherein the limited access means Incorporates a lock to prevent unauthorised access to the interior of the high value merchandise zone.

11. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 10 wherein a two-factor authentication lock system is Integrated within the lock.

12. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 wherein the access means to the high value merchandise zone incorporates a metal detector system.

13. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 wherein the access means of the high value merchandise zone incorporates a merchandise unauthorised-removal detection system.

14. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 wherein a transit zone incorporates at least one security gate adapted to impede travel through the transit zone.

15. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 14 wherein the security gate is linked to a merchandise unauthorised-removal detection system associated with the access means to the high value merchandise zone.

16. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 14 wherein the security gate Is by default placed in a closed configuration.

17. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 wherein the retailing structure provided includes at least one observation system.

18. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 17 wherein the

observation system Is deployed such as to provide a view of any permutation or combination, within the high value merchandise zone, the exterior of the access means to the high value merchandise zone, and/or of the transit zone or transit zones provided within the retailing structure.

19. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 14 wherein the access means and the transit zone security gate are adapted to be remotely locked.

20. The merchandise retailing structure of claim 1 which incorporates display stands for eyewear.

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