Merchandise Pickup Gets an Upgrade

In early 2019, our small electronics department underwent a floor-to-ceiling renovation that brought a much-needed modernization to the space. Sleek shelves and brighter lights helped highlight the large selection of headphones, digital cameras, and other small electronics, and made the busy department much easier to navigate. It was the largest upgrade the store had seen since the Inspiration Studio was built, and it ushered in the start of long-term plan to expand that cleaner aesthetic to other parts of the store. To kick off this year, we gave the same treatment to two other key areas of the store: merchandise pickup and the cashier department.

Visitors who walk into the merchandise pickup doors will notice a few subtle changes, along with one very prominent one. The ceiling was raised nearly three feet and new lighting was installed, giving the waiting area a brighter, bigger feel. It makes for better viewing of our celebrity wall of fame, which has been tidied up as well. New wooden bench seating completes the modern look.

But the most impressive upgrade is the addition of a massive video wall behind the pickup desk. The display is comprised of 93 individual panels that seamlessly fit together to create one sprawling display with a total resolution of 7,713,792 pixels. Three separate video processors control three distinct display zones, giving us the option to play multiple pieces of content or a single unified one. Our in-house motion graphics artist created the current simulation, which features a continuous cascade of water bouncing off of the door frame and walls (head to the end of this post to watch a short video of it in action). The entire pickup space is framed in the dark wood beams that have become a cornerstone of the revamped aesthetic.

Over in the center of the showroom, the cashier department underwent a similar makeover. The old desk was removed and a new one was built from scratch with a cleaner look and roomier interior layout. One half of the area is dedicated to the cashiers themselves, with the other half featuring a mix of desks and standing terminals designed for the salespeople that work on the floor. Overall, the new design will make the checkout process a little quicker and help keep that area of the store a bit more organized.

Here’s a look at the waterfall display wall in action: