Holition was recently invited to take part in the, ‘The Converged World of the Internet in a Digital Economy,’ at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. As a thought leader in the emerging Internet economy, Augmented Retail specialists Holition, were keen to see ways in which academic, business and entrepreneur can work together to build an effective, ‘Catapult’ for Internet innovation fostering future directions for UK business. With Holition’s origins in the UK Government funded KTP program, Holition was keen to see new thinking in this area and ultimately to contribute to creating a digital economy hub in the UK to rival success of Silicone Valley’s Palo Alto region. It was discussed that the UK had many ‘clever ideas’ for digital online- this was a given. It was considered more difficult to link these ‘clever ideas’ to appropriate technology platforms required to deliver and engage audiences on a mass scale. Interesting insights included developing the UK’s ‘Technology Tourisim,’ to better reflect our digital credentials. So too was the marketing of our own grown Silicone ‘Roundabout’.  The group was looking ways in which a proposed government project of £30million in the Internet Catapult hub could support free flowing innovation and formalised investment channels as demonstrated by Stateside counterparts. It was interesting to hear about US offices, similar to that of TechHub in the UK which act as a place to meet, create and develop ideas across a hybrid focus of expertise; spin out ideas then being funded- an ideal scenario for many of the smaller firms in Tech City.  One of the key insights delivered by the School’s Dean, Dr. Marc Ventresca, suggested that the UK is now very comfortable with the start up, delivering creative and technology innovation as positioned within Silicone Roundabout. He highlighted that the UK was not so good at converting medium sized companies into next stage companies- the UK’s ability to grow from 1-3 staff members was proven, however to grow from 10-30 was less developed within the UK eco-system of next stage financing. In short, the UK could be seen as a victim of success with previous TSB efforts to build an entrepreneur economy now working. The UK has now engaged companies and individuals with entrepreneurship and supported innovative thinking, however new structures are required to convert these SME’s to larger companies.  Currently only 1 in 6 start-up’s in the UK drive significant growth. Perhaps a contributory fact which is not so well understood, is that within the UK’s Silicone Roundabout, less that 3% of all companies in the area employ more than 3 people, putting Holition Augmented Retail well within the top 3% of companies in the area. In the States, he suggested out of the top 100 companies by market capitalisation, 30 were under 30 years old: a comparison the UK is unable to match- yet.  Whilst the aim of the day was to develop outline plans for what a government Internet innovation hub could look like, it seems from the delegates which included Microsoft, HP, Dietica, BBC and BT and Channel 4 that this was an overwhelming task. The ‘Internet’ is such a big concept, Holition Augmented Retail felt that limiting the focus to one or two key growth area such as healthcare and creative industries that this vision could best realise an ambitious task- and that’s before we even have Internet in every home in the UK. 

Holition was recently invited to take part in the, ‘The Converged World of the Internet in a Digital Economy,’ at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. As a thought leader in the emerging Internet economy, Augmented Retail specialists Holition, were keen to see ways in which academic, business and entrepreneur can work together to build an effective, ‘Catapult’ for Internet innovation fostering future directions for UK business. With Holition’s origins in the UK Government funded KTP program, Holition was keen to see new thinking in this area and ultimately to contribute to creating a digital economy hub in the UK to rival success of Silicone Valley’s Palo Alto region.

It was discussed that the UK had many ‘clever ideas’ for digital online- this was a given. It was considered more difficult to link these ‘clever ideas’ to appropriate technology platforms required to deliver and engage audiences on a mass scale. Interesting insights included developing the UK’s ‘Technology Tourisim,’ to better reflect our digital credentials. So too was the marketing of our own grown Silicone ‘Roundabout’. 

The group was looking ways in which a proposed government project of £30million in the Internet Catapult hub could support free flowing innovation and formalised investment channels as demonstrated by Stateside counterparts. It was interesting to hear about US offices, similar to that of TechHub in the UK which act as a place to meet, create and develop ideas across a hybrid focus of expertise; spin out ideas then being funded- an ideal scenario for many of the smaller firms in Tech City. 

One of the key insights delivered by the School’s Dean, Dr. Marc Ventresca, suggested that the UK is now very comfortable with the start up, delivering creative and technology innovation as positioned within Silicone Roundabout. He highlighted that the UK was not so good at converting medium sized companies into next stage companies- the UK’s ability to grow from 1-3 staff members was proven, however to grow from 10-30 was less developed within the UK eco-system of next stage financing. In short, the UK could be seen as a victim of success with previous TSB efforts to build an entrepreneur economy now working. The UK has now engaged companies and individuals with entrepreneurship and supported innovative thinking, however new structures are required to convert these SME’s to larger companies. 

Currently only 1 in 6 start-up’s in the UK drive significant growth. Perhaps a contributory fact which is not so well understood, is that within the UK’s Silicone Roundabout, less that 3% of all companies in the area employ more than 3 people, putting Holition Augmented Retail well within the top 3% of companies in the area. In the States, he suggested out of the top 100 companies by market capitalisation, 30 were under 30 years old: a comparison the UK is unable to match- yet. 

Whilst the aim of the day was to develop outline plans for what a government Internet innovation hub could look like, it seems from the delegates which included Microsoft, HP, Dietica, BBC and BT and Channel 4 that this was an overwhelming task. The ‘Internet’ is such a big concept, Holition Augmented Retail felt that limiting the focus to one or two key growth area such as healthcare and creative industries that this vision could best realise an ambitious task- and that’s before we even have Internet in every home in the UK. 

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Holition has seen many examples as to why luxury brands in particular should go digital. Luxury Interactive’s video here show’s clear research to support this, and encourage brand owners to explore digital, or be left behind. Consumers are driving the way in which brands must now start to communicate, and brands need to listen. 

Interestingly, this may not work for Louis Vuitton’s latest app which charges users a whopping £12.99 to access it’s promotional content. Often, exclusivity, and price do not transfer to the digital in the same way, and it is of interest that LV have created an ‘exclusive’ app with such a price point.  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/louis-vuitton-100-malles-legende/id516001520 

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Holition launch Travel Retail division at this year’s prestigious TFWA conference in Singapore. Holition’s CEO Jonathan Chippindale receives a standing ovation from the senior delegates who were impressed with the impact Holition technologies could have on Travel Retail. 

“Holition is interested in exploring how technology can provide brands and operators with powerful new digital tools to dramatically increase consumer engagement and drive sales.”

With a live demonstration of the latest iPad application, and the introduction of a live Auto-Stereoscopic 3D display, The Depth Star, Holition ‘wowed’ delegates and provided inspired thinking in the future of in-flight retail. 

http://www.tfwa.com/duty_free/Exhibition-day-by-day.1256.0.html

http://www.dfnionline.com/article/Holition-forms-travel-retail-operation-1862755.html

http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?c_id=6&doc_id=31027

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[Flash 10 is required to watch video]

Great use of 3D holographic projection by Burberry and Holition partners Musion. 

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Ebay get into the Christmas Spirit this year by creating their own Boutique on Dean Street. The aim of the shop was to enable shoppers to access the world of Ebay via smart phones. With an increase in smartphone and tablet purchasing the store provided an opportunity for shoppers to browse products, access ‘Bargain Alerts’ via QR codes and gain inspiration from the ‘Wish Window’. The store was only accessible for 5 days and displayed a key way of bridging the gap between online and physical stores. With the current trend and surging popularity of pop-up stores, including the recent construction of the pop-up mall, Boxpark in Shoreditch, are online retailers going to have to consider creating a physical presence on the High Street, and should this progression be a permanent fixture or is the unique limited time period the key factor?  Does this creative retail method mean that emerging technologies will have the opportunity to assist with connecting brands to their technology savvy consumers?  

Ebay get into the Christmas Spirit this year by creating their own Boutique on Dean Street. The aim of the shop was to enable shoppers to access the world of Ebay via smart phones. With an increase in smartphone and tablet purchasing the store provided an opportunity for shoppers to browse products, access ‘Bargain Alerts’ via QR codes and gain inspiration from the ‘Wish Window’. The store was only accessible for 5 days and displayed a key way of bridging the gap between online and physical stores.

With the current trend and surging popularity of pop-up stores, including the recent construction of the pop-up mall, Boxpark in Shoreditch, are online retailers going to have to consider creating a physical presence on the High Street, and should this progression be a permanent fixture or is the unique limited time period the key factor?  Does this creative retail method mean that emerging technologies will have the opportunity to assist with connecting brands to their technology savvy consumers?  

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