Trans World Entertainment Corp. (Albany, N.Y.), owner of some 1000 music and entertainment stores (including Camelot Music, Record Town and Coconuts, among others), has announced that it will be installing more than 25,000 listening and viewing stations and kiosks in its 700-store F.Y.E. (For Your Entertainment) chain, using Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Media technology.
In addition, F.Y.E. will become the premier online music and video retailer on MSN Shopping and a music partner for Windows XP, Microsoft's next-generation operating system.
Through the listening and viewing stations, F.Y.E. customers will be able to sample music and videos, previewing any selection stocked in the store. They'll also be able to search and browse F.Y.E.'s entire library, sample music and order and ship normally hard-to-find selections.
A customer loyalty program called “Backstage Pass” will offer frequent shoppers personalized messages and product offerings, including recommendations based on their preferences and interests. Information about a user's preferences or musical tastes will follow consumers from F.Y.E.'s listening and viewing stations to their retail and online purchases. Members will be able to access their profile through a swipe of their “Backstage Pass” loyalty card. This profile will offer the user information about recent purchases, and allow them to update their listening or viewing habits to improve recommendations for new releases and archived classics.
Both the Windows XP-powered kiosks and listening stations are scheduled to be rolled out to F.Y.E. locations over the next year. Initial locations include the company's New York flagship store near Rockefeller Center, as well as locations in Detroit, Hartford, Conn., Seattle and Tampa, Fla.
Trans World Entertainment purchased Camelot Music Holdings in 1999, acquiring a chain of about 1000 stores in 46 states, selling CDs, DVDs, cassettes, videos, and related items operating under the Camelot Music, Record Town, The Wall, Coconuts, Strawberries and Spec's Music nameplates. Its video stores include Saturday Matinee (sales) and Movies Plus (rentals). F.Y.E. sells music, videos, games and portable electronics, and offers merchandise online.