Abercrombie and Fitch has offered “substantial payment” to Jersey Shore’s Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino to stop wearing brand in “Jersey Shore”. Now, in my view, this is the first time a brand pays someone to stop wearing their clothes.

Abercrombie to 'Jersey Shore': Ditch our brand

"We are deeply concerned that Mr. Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image. We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans," an Abercrombie & Fitch spokesperson said in a statement. "We have also extended this offer to other members of the cast, and are urgently waiting a response."

As if economic downturn was not enough to force down shutters, Bed bugs too have joined the race. Bed bugs have forced more than one Retailer to shut down their stores in New York, Nike being the latest victim.

Niketown Infested By Bedbugs -- Closed Indefinitely As Bloodsucking Pest Crisis Continues

The bedbug crisis continues, with the blood-sucking pests claiming their highest profile victim to date: Niketown.

The sneaker company's flagship New York City store has been closed indefinitely after bedbugs invaded the store.  The front of the gleaming 5-story 57th Street shopping cathedral is now covered with brown paper.

Bedbugs have infested one retailer and office after another in recent months: Abercrombie & Fitch, the Empire State Building, Time Warner, Google...

Can it be long before the make the move to the Apple Store?

While surfing Retail News today, this article caught my eye, Abercrombie Chooses In-Store Scent Technology. I followed the article and came to know that In-store scent technology or advanced Air treatment is an industry by itself. Prolitec, which deployed the tech at Abercrombie has some nice examples of how Retail Stores are using the technology to enrich store experience.

http://www.prolitec.com/malls_retail.htm

Retailers utilize Prolitec’s Ambient Scenting service to create the desired olfactory environment for their customers in a manner that complements the many other ways – through sight and sound – that they offer shopping experiences. Prolitec can be used to enhance Point-of-Sale promotion of products such as fine fragrances, detergents, foods, leather goods and other items. In addition, Prolitec’s technology offers Odor Remediation and Restroom Hygiene in all public spaces that are subject to high traffic.

Prolitec’s use of Aromatherapy creates an ideal shopping environment and a more pleasing consumer experience.

Click below to read case studies relating to Prolitec’s Mall and Retail Services.

• Retail - Point -of-Sale Product Advertising
• Billboard Advertising
• Retail Chain Store - Ambient Scenting and Aromatherapy and Performance
• Retail - Signature Scent

There is a whole new practice called Experience Design which involves designing products, environments based on experiences and perceptions.

From Wikipedia:

Experience design is the practice of designing products, processes, services, events, and environments -- each of which is a human experience -- based on the consideration of an individual's or group's needs, desires, beliefs, knowledge, skills, experiences, and perceptions. An emerging discipline, experience design attempts to draw from many sources including cognitive psychology and perceptual psychology, linguistics, cognitive science, architecture and environmental design, haptics, product design, information design, information architecture, ethnography, brand management, interaction design, service design, storytelling, heuristics, and design thinking.

More and more Retailers are using Experience Designers to make the whole shopping experience enjoyable and technologies such as Prolitec’s makes the whole thing more interesting.