WO2008052270A1

WO2008052270A1 - Retail sales and screen media

Info

Publication number: WO2008052270A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001667
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stuart Hayes
Original assignee: Worthy Of Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-11-03
Filing date: 2007-11-01
Publication date: 2008-05-08

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a network implemented information method (10). The method (10) comprises: providing product information (14) for display at or adjacent a plurality of retail premises, customising the product information, for each respective retail premises (14, 30 32), to be shown on at least one video display unit in or adjacent the retail premises to inform consumers of products for sale through the retail premises, in which the content to be shown may be distributed randomly or on a rotation basis if necessary.

Description

RETAIL SALES AND SCREEN MEDIA FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to retail sales and screen media. BACKGROUND ART The discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventors and/or the identification of certain prior art problems by the inventors.

On a general level retailers are able to attract consumers by positioning their businesses at preferred locations. Once a consumer is in the premises of the business the retailer is able to put procedures in place to optimize sales to consumers. These procedures include the careful- placement of visually attractive articles at positions which customers frequently pass.

Competition between retailers can directly affect stock decisions. For example businesses that need to carry high levels of slow turn over stock, such beauty salons, are generally only able to carry a limited range.

Generally these businesses are not able to adequately accommodate consumer brand preferences and expectations and, as a result, lose consumers to stores that carry a wider range of products, such as discount warehouses.

In terms of retail staffing, the employment of suitable staff able to assist consumers is often difficult as the number of staff must be adequate and not intrusive. The training and education of staff should provide staff with the wherewithal to provide qualified and helpful advice in an assuring manner.

When a shop is closed for business customers are generally not able to purchase products through the shop. This problem has been addressed to some degree by arrangements where a customer is able to order a product over the internet from a central server which on receipt of an order examines the availability of the product and arranges for delivery. These arrangements still however suffer from a number disadvantages including requiring the customer to have a computer with an internet connection and thus subject the order to several security risks.

In addition, whilst businesses prefer to select the promotional messages to be displayed in their premises with a view to influencing consumer buying decisions, the time needed to manage sourcing, displaying and rotating these messages is often considerable, Moreover, since suppliers of products often pay for the display of- promotional messages within the retail space of such businesses, capturing data that verifies such display is consequently difficult. in general Internet, kiosks, home shopping television networks and the like provide an assortment of alternate systems for purchasing products. Generally these systems a high degree of trust is required between the consumer and retailer, together with appropriate return policies and pricing.

Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

An object of the present invention is to provide systems and methods directed to business which have a limited range of stock available for sale. A further object of the present invention is to alleviate at least one disadvantage associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a network implemented information method comprising: providing product information for display at or adjacent retail premises, the product information configured for being shown on at least one video display unit, in or adjacent the retail premises, to inform consumers of products for sale through the retail premises.

Preferably the method comprises providing a customisation facility so that the product information shown on the at least one video display unit can be targeted towards ranges of products in stock at the retail premises.

Preferably the product information is for display in the retail premises.

Preferably the method comprises a distribution facility so that the product information displayed during a period of time can be changed either on a rotational basis or randomly to ensure it remains fresh.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a network implemented information method comprising: providing product information for display at or adjacent a plurality of retail premises, customising the product information, for each respective retail premises, to be shown on at least one video display unit in or adjacent the retail premises to inform consumers of products for sale through the retail premises. Preferably, the product information is distributed so that it is displayed either on a rotational basis of randomly within 5 the plurality of retail premises.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an information system comprising: a send facility for providing product information for display at or adjacent a plurality of retail premises; and a customiser for

. customising the product information so that the product information, for each

10 respective retail premises, is configured for being shown on at least one video display unit in or adjacent the retail premises to inform consumers of products for sale through the retail premises. Preferably, a distribution facility is also provided so that the product information displayed during a period of time can be changed either on a rotational basis or randomly to ensure it remains fresh.

15 Preferably the customiser is adapted so that the product information shown on the at least one display, for each respective retail premises, can be targeted towards ranges of products in stock at the retail premises.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a network implemented information method comprising: providing product

^'20 information for display at or adjacent a plurality of pharmacies, customising the product information, for each respective pharmacy, to be shown on at least one video display unit in or adjacent each pharmacy to inform consumers of products for sale through the pharmacy. Preferably, a distribution facility is also provided so that the product information displayed during a period of time can be changed

25 either on a rotational basis or randomly.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a network implemented information method comprising: receiving at least one request from a consumer located in or adjacent retail premises, the request being associated with a product; in response to the request searching for product

30 information associated with the product; and providing product information retrieved by the search for display to the consumer on at least one video display unit in or adjacent the retail premises. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided an information system comprising: a facility for receiving requests from consumers located in or adjacent a plurality of retail premises, the requests being associated with products; a search facility for searching for product information associated with each respective product, in response to the request; and a send facility for providing product information retrieved by the search for display to each consumer on a video display unit in or adjacent the respective retail premises.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a network implemented information method comprising: displaying product information at or adjacent retail premises, the product information being displayed on at least one video display unit in or adjacent the retail premises; and sending information associated with a customer viewing the product information to at least one member of staff in the retail premises.

According to an eight aspect of the present invention there is provided an information system a display for showing product information at or adjacent retail premises; and means for providing information, associated with a customer viewing the product information, to at least one member of staff in the retail

^• premises.

Preferably the information sent to the or each member of staff in the retail premises, contains an indication of assistance being required at the video display unit.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of facilitating the ordering products comprising: providing a order facility adjacent a shop front operable when the shop 'connected with the shop front is physically closed for business. receiving an order for a product via the order facility when the shop is physically closed for business; providing the ordered product to the customer and an associated monetary benefit to the shop. Preferably the order facility is adapted to receive a request from a mobile telephone with the order facility being located within the shop adjacent the shop front. Preferably the order facility requires a direct line of sight with the mobile telephone. In other arrangements the order facility comprises a terminal with keyboard interface.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method or receiving an inquiry from a consumer comprising: providing an inquiry facility adjacent a shop front operable when the shop connected with the shop front is physically closed for business; and receiving an inquiry via the inquiry facility when the shop is physically closed for business.

According to a eleventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of advertising comprising: displaying advertising adjacent a shop front during hours when a shop is open for business and during hours when the shop is closed for business; and configuring the advertising such that the advertising displayed includes less advertising directly related to the shop when the shop is closed for business and more advertising directly related to the shop when the shop is open for business.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a method according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a method according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a method according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 4 to 6 are schematic views of the method shown in Figure 3; and Figure 7 is a schematic view of a prior art method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a network implemented information method 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The networked implement information method 10 comprises, at block 12 providing product information 14 for display in retail premises 16 on a video display unit 18. At block 19 the product information 20 is directed towards consumers 22 in the retail premises 16 so that consumers 18 are informed of products available for sale through the retail premises 16. In this particular embodiment the retail premises 16 comprises a pharmacy 26.

Advantageously the product information 14 is provided in the pharmacy 26 such that the product information 20 is provided to customers who after viewing the information are able to contact staff and, if the product is available, inspect the product and make enquiries. This occurs in the vicinity of the point of sale at which the consumer 22 can purchase the product, after the consumer 22 has gained some information for themselves. In the method 10 product information 30 and product information 32 are respectively provided to pharmacy 34 and pharmacy 36. Advantageously, the provision of this product information is also possible via a distributor either on a rotational basis or at random.

Referring to Figure 2 there is shown a network implemented information method 40 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The network implemented information method 40 comprises, at block 42, receiving at least one request 44 associated with a product 46. The at least one request 44 is received from a consumer 48 in retail premises 50 where the consumer accesses a video display unit 52 in retail premises 50. In method 40, at block 54, the method includes searching for advertising information 56 associated with the product 46 and alternative products 58. Once the advertising information 56 has been received retrieved, the advertising information 56 is provided for display in the retail premises 60 on the video display unit 52 in the form of digital signage. In this embodiment the advertising 56 is communicated by way of Audio Visual (AV) messages to targeted audiences (narrowcasting). The advertising information 56 forms product information.

The searching for advertising information 56 associated with the product 46 and the alternative products 58 includes preferentially searching for advertising information that is related to products in stock and available for sale at the retail premises 50. In this embodiment the retail premises 50 is a pharmacy 60.

The embodiment is advantageous in that the consumer 48 is provided with information related to both the product he or she is looking for and alternative products which are preferentially in stock at the pharmacy 26. With the present arrangement the consumer 48 Is made aware of generic alternative products 58 in preference to alternative products 58 that are not generic.

A further advantageous feature of the present invention is that method 40 includes searching for complementary products. For example if the consumer was to search for bandages the system would also search for antiseptics and painkillers. In this manner an "upselling" facility is provided whereby the method 40 provides suggestions and/or prompts the consumer 48 with complementary and alternative products as weli as the sought after product. The additional products are advantageously associated with the sought after product,

Figure 3 shows a customisation method 61 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method 61 includes receiving at least one request 62 from a pharmacy 63 through a customisation facility 64. The customisation facility 64 is provided by a content management server system 66 which forms part of a computer network 68. The customisation facility 64 is configured for customising the product information 69 in response to the at least one request 62 from the pharmacy 26. In this embodiment a number of pharmacies 70 including pharmacy 26 are able to customise the respective product information 71 that is received at their premises such that the information is targeted towards ranges of products in stock and available for sale at each pharmacy. The content management server system 66 is configured to provide video footage of products as a stream of advertising information at each of the pharmacies 70.

The customisation facility 64 allows each pharmacy 70 to choose content from a list of content for display in a screen located on their premises. Other than content provided by the pharmacy, the pharmacy is not able to make changes to the content associated with a particular content stream. Other embodiments allow for further customisation of the content.

Nonetheless the customisation facility allows the retailer to include or alter messages, the design of products advertising, product prices and so forth. In one example the retailer is able to customise the position and content of a predetermined message such as "relieves pain faster" or "buy two for and save". Moreover both the position and style of the message can be readily customized as can particular animation effects. The message may be configured to slide in from the right, zoom in from all corners and so forth. This form of customisation is considered to be particularly advantageous. The system allows for the rearrangement of graphical and text based with dynamic effects.

With this arrangement a personalised logo can be added to the advertising information along with the message. The logo may for example comprise the trade mark in connection with which the pharmacy operates.

The customisation may include the customisation of advertising and editorial content supplied from the server system 66. This is considered to be advantageous.

In this respect the customisation of editorial content is considered to be advantageous as it allows the use retailer to customise editorial content based or his or her own knowledge and experience. Thus the retaiier is able to direct the consumer to products which the retailer considers to be say very effective or very cost effective, in this embodiment there is additionally provided the ability to customise technical information. The customisation of editorial content, advertising content and technical content is particularly advantageous. In the content management server system 64 each pharmacy 70 controls the content provided in terms of the product lines advertised in the retail space. The operator who manages the server system 66 (the network operator) procures the content from the advertisers and uploads it to the network. The pharmacy is able to customise the content as is not limited to the. display of stock which may or may not be in stock at the provided pharmacy. According to the present embodiment hundreds of independent pharmacies are able to each customise content using the customisation facility 64. The manner of operation is now described with reference to Figure 4. Content is uploaded into or automatically received by the server system 66 from a plurality of advertisers 72. This is achieved using a software package 75 located on the server system 66. The pharmacy forms one of a large number of independent retailers 67 who receive content from the server system 66. Advantageously the pharmacy 63 is able to contribute its own content, the pharmacy 63 being one of the advertisers 72. The software package 75 provides a content management system that manages the distribution of content and undertakes changes to the content itself, Advantageously, a distributor works alongside the software package and allows a particular item of content to be displayed in one or more of the large number of independent retailers either on a random or on a rotational basis during a period of time, thus benefiting the retailer by keeping the content rotating and also the advertiser by ensuring content is displayed in a larger number of locations. As shown in Figure 5 a network operator facility 74 allows network managers to setup and manage the content and produce editorial content using an editorial content facility 76. Content is then distributed to a number of pharmacies 70 for display using specified media players comprising personal computers or specialist devices that are located where the content is to be displayed to consumers at the respective premises.

Instructions relating to when, what and how frequently advertising information is displayed is provided to each of the media players. As previously described the advertising information is displayed according to predetermined customisations set using a customisation facility 64. The customisation facility is preferably provided on the server system 66, however in other embodiments it is provided as part of the media players.

Advantageously the media players are programmed to capture data and to report the data back to the server system 66. In this embodiment the server system 66 includes a data store for storing statistics whereby media players with touch screens and the like are able to provide data on user activity. In this embodiment the data includes data regarding the popularity of certain product lines. The media players are able to communicate with consumers and staff whereby staff are informed of requests made at the media player by the consumer. The media players are able to interface with external devices such as motion detectors, touch screens, radio frequency or bar scanners, printers, data logging devices, and sales databases.

The media players in this embodiment allow consumers to select a product for sale, irrespective of whether the pharmacy stocks the product. The customer pays the pharmacy at a checkout or using a payment system forming part of the media player. If the product is not available at the premises a request is sent to the server system 66 and the product is arranged to be sent to the consumer. The product may be sent directly to the consumer or through the pharmacy.

It is to be appreciated that the server system 66 may be provided as part of a larger retail chain in which the retail chain sets up its own network, retail sources distribute and control content (via a content management system) and retailers control retail spaces. In other embodiments a retailer sets up his or her own network in his own premises. Particularly advantageous embodiments involve individual retailers that are each associated with independent shops and which are each able to customise respective product information streams.

In the case of a large retail chain having a central server requests may be received from a plurality of retail premises and the advertising information may provided for display in corresponding retail premises associated with the or each request. Requests are received from the retail premises and provided for display on associated visual display units. .

The content preferably may include video footage, still images, animation effects, text files, rss feeds including news, weather and other services. The content is preferably designed to engage the consumer with both moving pictures and audio.

In this embodiment shown in Figure 5 the server 66 provides a technical information facility in which technical information 69 related to the advertising information is provided in response to a request from a consumer whilst viewing the advertising information. The technical information includes information regarding the administration of the pharmaceutical and safety warnings. The network operator controlling the server system 66 preferably makes a vast catalogue of advertisement available to any one retailer. The network operator allows the advertisement in a catalogue to be tailored to suit the retailer's individual needs. Any one retailer is able to effectively run their own customisations in which updated tailored content is provided to the display system of the retailer. This may happen automatically following previously determined triggers such as a prices update or on decreasing stock levels or consumer demand.

Trigger systems may be provided by the server 66 which collect data on the use the media players from its own analysis and from network members. This data is preferably distributed to the network members via various methods such as by RSS feed whereby the video display units automatically customise display content. Examples of changing the content include after hours retail content, information session retail content and content changed by the distributor on a rotational or random basis. Information sessions may be run on particular product ranges.

It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments the video display unit 18 is adjacent the retail premises and the display of information at the retail premises comprises the display of information in the vicinity of the retail premises. For example, external signage in the form of a video screen may be placed outside a retail store for viewing both during and after retail hours. The external signage preferably provides a mixture of branding and promotional content customisable via a customisation facility. If desired interactivity with the external signage may be provided for by way of a mobile phone or touch screen. In one particular embodiment there is provided a system for facilitating the ordering products. The system includes an order facility adjacent a shop front operable when the shop connected with the shop front is physically closed for business. A consumer is able to send a query from his or her mobile telephone to the order facility which response by displaying information on a visual display. The order facility is able to receive and an order from the consumer when the shop is physically closed for business. The order is received and processed by the shop, the ordered product is provided to the customer, and the shop received an associated monetary benefit. In other embodiments a third party provides the product to the consumer and the shop receives a commission.

The system is additionally able to receive an inquiry from a consumer. In this embodiment the order facility includes an inquiry facility. In another embodiment there is provided a method of advertising comprising displaying advertising adjacent a shop front during hours when a shop is open for business and also when the shop is closed for business. The advertising displayed is configured such that when the shop is closed for business less advertising directly related to the shop is displayed and when the shop is open for business more advertising directly related to the shop is displayed, This is considered to allow retailers to provide general advertising in time periods in which sales are less likely to be made and to derive a profit therefrom. This form of selective dual purpose advertising is considered advantageous.

The content shown on the external signage is preferably unrelated to the store's own business at certain times of the day so as to generate different income streams. For example, a men's clothing store in a busy area might run- a mixture of its own branding messages and promotions in the day, but after closing hours also screen general advertising such as television and film advertising. The television and film advertising preferably comprises 'paid' advertising whereby the owner of the retail space is eligible for payment and/or other benefits for screening the content. In the case of both internal and external displays the provision of updated customised content to the system might occur automatically following previously determined triggers such as price updates. Different advertisements may be automatically shown if stock levels fall or safes demand increases. Alternatively recommendations may be sent to staff including a required presence around the video display unit.

Figure 6 shows an example of a method 80 of operation. In the example a consumer walk ups to the display and uses a touch screen to select a pharmaceutical product they desire. This may be the product which the consumer was attracted to on seeing advertising information in display. Upon the activation of the touch screen the customer is provided with the option of limiting the selection to products in stock or extending the selection to products available in other stores. In this example the customer chooses not to limit the selection and thus proceeds from block 82 to block 84. The remaining steps are taken as being self evident from the teaching of Figure 7 and the present description as a whole.

A prior manual method of pharmacy retail sale is shown in Figure 7, The method suffers from a number of disadvantages in comparison to the embodiment described, For example, the customer may be forced in particular circumstances to communicate a need to staff. In such an example a staff member of an appropriate gender and the customer may decide to continue searching for the product without success. The embodiments of the present invention described are considered to address these disadvantages. Advantageously customers are able to quickly locate alternative generic products and pharmacies are able to customise advertising content from a server. Furthermore a pharmacist is able to use the customisation facility to select an advertisement for a say a pain relief product that is in stock and screen the advertisement in his or her pharmacy. The pharmacist is able to customise messages, prices, designs and colours of advertisement, including those for products and services sold by third parties. Furthermore the pharmacist is able to customise editorial content supplied by the network operator. It is to be appreciated that the embodiments described are applicable to any independent business and businesses that are part of a network with other independent businesses, including pharmacies, hair salons, beauty salons, grocery stores, sports stores, gymnasiums, health clubs, cafes, bars, pubs, bottle shops, laundromats, fashion, clothing retailers, hostels, hotels, petrol stations, book stores, video rental stores, whitegoods stores, electronic goods stores, travel agencies, automotive shops and service stations, doctors/dentist/health practitioners, surgeries, consulting rooms, butchers, meat sellers, gift shops, hardware stores, gardening stores, computer stores, automotive sales yards, automotive parts sellers, telephony sales shops, stationers, newsagents, trade shops, jewellers and so forth.

One example comprises a bottle shop owner who, using the embodiment described is able to advertise a wine product in stock, at a monthly special price, as part of a video stream located next to a display of the wine product. Using the innovation, the bottle shop owner customises an advertisement for the wine product. Furthermore as the bottle shop owner is able to set a predetermined automatic customisation coupled to his stock database whereby the advertised price varies automatically according to the stock levels. A grocery store is able to automate the display and customisation of advertising in the store to ensure it is always price competitive, rather than needing to consider and manually change prices, using embodiment the display is be automatically triggered from nominated events issued by a distributed price surveillance system. A hardware store is able to use the embodiment to influence sales uplift in its store by providing technical hardware information and tips relating to hardware products in the vicinity of the visual display unit.

A ticket seller is able to control content displayed on a visual play its store with availability of tickets whereby the display of advertisement is automatically terminated or commenced based on availability.

A doctor's surgery is able to customise a general health message about diabetes, to promote the surgery expertise in this subject, rather than the standard editorial piece provided by network operator. Using the embodiment the surgery is able to customise a diabetes editorial and have the editorial shown as part of a video stream in the waiting room of the surgery.

A hair salon is able to have advertising displayed in the salon that is consistent with the salon's own visual styling. Using the embodiment, the salon would customise the visual style of each advertisement to be screened as customised. A video rental store is able to include its own logo within the ads displayed in its store. Using the innovation, the store would customize the advertisement to include its logo and they would be screened as customised.

In one embodiment of the innovation, consumers in a bottle shop are able to buy products through the store that are not stocked by the store. A single member of a large automotive franchise is able to rely on the distributor to refresh and rotate ads for display in its store without hands on management. Similarly, advertisers who supply particular items of content to be displayed in one or more of the large number of the independent automotive franchises on a 'rate per location per time period¹ basis, benefit because the distributor varies the location of displayed content at any one time, so that content is displayed in a larger number of iocations for a pre agreed price.

While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principies of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail empioys a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures.

"Comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof." Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A network implemented information method comprising: providing product information for display at or adjacent retail premises, the product information configured for being shown on at least one video display unit in or adjacent the retail premises to inform consumers of products for sale through the retail premises,

2. A network implemented information method as claimed in claim 1 comprising providing a customisation facility so that the product information shown on the at least one video display unit can be targeted towards ranges of products in stock at the retail premises.

3. A network implemented information method as claimed in claim 1 comprising: providing a customisation facility; receiving at least one request from the retail premises; and in response to the at least one request, customising the product information..

4. A network implemented information method as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3 comprising a distributor that rotates or randomly varies content displayed on the at least one video display unit without physical intervention if desired

5. A network implemented information method as claimed in claim 1 , 2, 3 or 4 comprising automatically customising the product information on predetermined criteria.

6. A network implemented information method as claimed in claim 5 wherein automatically customising the product information is triggered by increasing consumer demand at the retail premises.

7. A network implemented information method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising maintaining data on consumer demand at the retail premises for use in customising the product information.

8. A network imptemented information method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising maintaining data on product availability at the retail premises for use in customising the product information.

9. A network implemented method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising: providing a technical information facility; receiving at least one request from the retail premises; and in response to the at least one request providing technical information to support the product information.

10. A network implemented method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the product information is advertising information.

11. A network implemented information method comprising: providing product information for display at or adjacent a plurality of retail premises, customising the product information, for each respective retail premises, to be shown on at least one video display unit in or adjacent the retail premises to inform consumers of products for sale through the retail premises,

12. A network implemented information method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the retail premises are associated with independent businesses that are members of a network managed by another party.

13. An information system comprising: a send facility for providing product information for display at or adjacent a plurality of retail premises; and a customiser for customising the product information so that the product information, for each respective retail premises, is configured for being shown on at least one video display unit in or adjacent the retail premises to inform consumers of products for sale through the retail premises.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a distributor that allows a particular item of content to be displayed in one or more of the plurality of retail premises either on a random or on a rotational basis during a period of time, thus benefiting the retaiier by keeping the content rotating and also the advertiser by ensuring content is displayed in a larger number of locations

15. An information system as claimed in claim 13 or 14 wherein the customiser is adapted so that the product information shown on the at least one display, for each respective retail premises, can be targeted towards ranges of products in stock at the retail premises.

16. An information system as claimed in claim 13, 14 ^"or 15 comprising an automater for automatically customising the product information on a predetermined event.

17. An information system as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the automater is triggered by increasing consumer demand at the retail premises.

18. An information system as claimed in any one of claims claim 12 to 17 comprising a data store for storing data on consumer demand at each of the retail premises for use in customising the product information

19. An information system as claimed in any one of claims claim 12 to 18 comprising a data store for storing data on product availability at the retail premises for use in customising the product information.

20. An information system as claimed in any one of claims claim 12 to 19 comprising a technical information facility for providing technical information to support the product information in response to requests from retail premises.

21. A network implemented information method comprising: providing product information for display at or adjacent a plurality of pharmacies, customising the product information, for each respective pharmacy, to be shown on at least one video display unit in or adjacent each pharmacy to inform consumers of products for sale through the pharmacy.

22. A network implemented information method as claimed in claim 21 comprising customising the product information so that product information received at respective pharmacies is targeted towards products in stock at each pharmacy.

23. A network implemented information method as claimed in claims 21 or 22, wherein providing product information comprises providing product information related to a number of pharmaceuticals and a number of pharmaceutical types.

24. A network implemented information method comprising: receiving at least one request from a consumer located in or adjacent retail premises, the request being associated with a product; in response to the request searching for product information associated with the product; and providing product information retrieved by the search for display to the consumer on a video display unit in or adjacent the retail premises.

25. A network implemented information method as claimed in claim 24 including informing staff at the retail premises of the at least one request.

26. A network implemented information method as claimed in claim 24 or 25 comprising searching for complementary product information.

27, A network implemented information method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 25 comprising searching for alternative product information.

28. A network implemented information method as cfaimed in any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein respective requests are received from a plurality of retail premises and respective product information is provided for display on corresponding video display units.

29. A network implemented information method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 28 wherein searching for the product information associated with the product includes preferentially searching for product information related to products in stock an available for safe at the retail premises.

^• 30. A network implemented information method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 29 wherein searching for the product information associated with the product includes preferentially searching for generic alternative products.

31. A network implemented information method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 31 wherein the product information comprises pricing information.

32. A network implemented information method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 31 wherein the product information comprises a message slogan.

33. A network implemented information method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 32 wherein the product in information comprises comparative advertising information.

34. A network implemented information method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 33 wherein the product information comprises streaming video.

35. A network implemented information method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 34 wherein the product information is selected from the group comprising stilf images, animation effects, text files, and RSS feeds.

36. A method of facilitating the ordering products comprising: providing a order facility adjacent a shop front operable when the shop connected with the shop front is physically closed for business; receiving an order for a product via the order facility when the shop is physically closed for business; providing the ordered product to the customer and providing an associated monetary benefit to the shop.

37. A method as claimed in claim 36 wherein the product provided to the customer originates from the shop.

38. A method as claimed in claim 36 or 37 wherein the product is paid for at a payment facility within the shop.

39. A method as claimed, in any one of claims 36 to 38 wherein the shop processes the ordering and sale of the product.

40. An information system comprising: a facility for receiving requests from consumers located in or adjacent a plurality of retail premises, the requests being associated with products; a search facility for searching for product information associated with each respective product and alternative products, in response to the request; and a send facifity for providing product information retrieved by the search for display to each consumer on a video display unit in or adjacent to the respective retail premises.

41. Apparatus adapted to provide product information, said apparatus including: processor means adapted to operate in accordance with a predetermined instruction set, said apparatus, in conjunction with said instruction set, being adapted to perform a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, and 21 to 39.

42. A computer program product including: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code and computer readable system code embodied on said medium for providing product information within a data processing system, said computer program product including: computer readable code within said computer usable medium for performing a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, and 21 to 39.

43. A network implemented information method comprising: displaying product information at or adjacent retail premises, the product information being displayed on at least one video display unit in or adjacent the retail premises and being able to be scrolled or varied randomly, sending information associated with a customer viewing the product information to at least one member of staff in the retail premises.

44. A network implemented information method as claimed in claim 43 wherein the information, sent to the or each member of staff in the retail premises, contains a indication of assistance being required at the video display unit.

45. An information system comprising: a display for showing product information at or adjacent retail premises; and means for providing information, associated with a customer viewing the product information, to at least one member of staff in the retail premises.

46. A network implemented information method as claimed in claim 45 wherein means for providing the information is configured to provide an indication of assistance being required at the video display unit.

47. A method as substantially as herein disclosed.

48. A system or apparatus substantially as herein disclosed.