News

Meridian kiosks puts best foot forward

May 25, 2004

SOUTHERN PINES, NC—The only way to custom fit insoles is to define the exact measurements of someone's feet. And insole manufacturer Implus is using kiosks to help customers get the right fit, according to a company release.

The kiosk application called the Sof Sole FitSys Foot Scanner, provides a 30-second foot type analysis with a recommendation for insole, sock and shoe type.

The foot scanner is manufactured by FiTracks, which specializes in hi-tech solutions for footwear and footcare industries. It hooks into the bottom of the kiosk to provide the apparatus for people to stand on.

"We had seen similar technology at the World Shoe Association trade show," said Implus CEO Seth Richards, "and had been talking about customizing an interactive foot project where we could involve our consumers more."

Enter the kiosk. Meridian Kiosks of Southern Pines, North Carolina were chosen to provide the first eight and consequently the remaining kiosks for the program. Meridian Kiosks expertise includes kiosk design, planning, development and production. They have also produced kiosks for the likes of Home Depot, Motorola, Ethan Allen and Time Warner.

"We were really thrilled to work with such a progressive company," said Meridian Kiosk CEO and founder Chris Gilder.

The Sof Sole FitSys Scanner experience begins when a retail sales associate offers a customer an in-store custom foot scan to determine appropriate insoles.

The customer steps on the scanning device in a natural position with his/her left and right feet centered on each half. Customers enter gender, shoe size, physical activity and then initiate the scan using the stainless steel tracking ball and keyboard on the kiosk.

 "We liked the keyboard because it is virtually indestructible," said Marketing Associate Mark Overstreet. "Maintenance and durability was a huge factor in the design of the kiosks and Meridian was willing to customize for us."

At marathons, the kiosk is a hot item. Total sales of Implus insole and sock products in areas where the FitSys scan kiosk has been featured have doubled. At larger marathons, two kiosks are needed to handle the lines of athletes and onlookers who want their feet scanned.

"Total revenue went up 160 to 170 percent," said Implus Director of Marketing John Andrews, "Kiosks are everywhere and our kiosk lends credibility to the product that a desktop or laptop does not."