CVS, Kodak agree to long-term kiosk deal
June 1, 2009
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — CVS/pharmacy and Eastman Kodak Company have announced a new long-term agreement naming Kodak as the national chain's provider of in-store photo-processing systems, including the KODAK Adaptive Picture Exchange, or APEX dry lab system, KODAK Picture Kiosk, and Kodak Service and Support.
The agreement enables CVS/pharmacy to build on its leadership position within the photo retailing category by providing customers with multiple in-store photo-service options and an expanded portfolio of premium, high-value photo products, such as KODAK Picture Movie DVDs and Photo Books.
"CVS/pharmacy has a longstanding reputation for quality products and services, and consumers recognize and trust the quality associated with the Kodak brand. We believe our strong relationship with Kodak will continue to resonate with our consumers and help us to continue our growth in this important category," said Grant Pill, vice president for CVS/Pharmacy.
An integral strategy for CVS/pharmacy will be to implement Kodak's latest G4X consumer kiosks in stores and to significantly expand its fleet of KODAK APEX dry lab systems. The KODAK APEX system is a modular, behind-the-counter thermal dry lab system, which combines a number of new products into one powerful, integrated and industry-leading retailer solution.
"CVS/pharmacy has been a great business partner for Kodak. This new agreement will build on our already successful partnership by enabling more growth in premium photo products and by broadening the reach of Kodak's state-of-the-art APEX system at CVS/pharmacy locations," said Mike Saturnia, vice president of sales for Eastman Kodak Company. "Kodak is proud to be working with this innovative retailer to optimize its photo services fleet with advanced dry lab and photo kiosk systems."
In 2008, CVS/pharmacy was the first national retailer to offer customers both KODAK Picture Movie DVDs and Photo Books. These innovative photo-processing products turn customers' photos into hard-cover books and movies in minutes using the KODAK Picture Kiosk. Both of these products are now available in more than 5,600 CVS/pharmacy stores nationwide.