Dec.23, 2013
Asda, a subsidiary of the American retail company Walmart and the UK's second largest chain after Tesco, is rolling out its 3D printing service to 50 stores in January, according to Retail Week.
In October Asda started trialling a new in-store 3D printing service at its York store that allows shoppers to be scanned and made into a detailed miniature figurine, using a 3D printer. The trial is a first for UK supermarkets, and Asda intended to roll out nationwide if the trial is successful. Prices start at £40 for an 8 in figurine, which can be printed and ready to be picked up in-store the following week. The models can be scaled to whatever size the customer wants.
During a tour of testing the service in different stores, Asda discovered that the service was particularly popular among soldiers and children. ""Some [soldiers] who are not at home for Christmas because they're doing tours of Afghanistan have given them to loved ones as a gift, which is quite touching," said Asda head of personalisation Phil Stout.
"It provided an extension of the Asda personality, and was a real point of difference in our stores. It successfully added a lot of theatre to our stores," Stout added.
Following two trials that it called "a resounding success", Asda is planning something big for next year. In January Asda will add a new 3D-printing service to 50 stores, as well as providing more applications for the scans of shoppers, for example build avatars based on their scans. Stout said Asda is working on a few licensing deals that will let shoppers order personalise branded 3D printed goods, such as Mr Men figures or superhero dolls. Asda boasts enthusiastically that "anything can be scanned -- including people, pets and even cars."
With 3D printers becoming cheaper and more widely available, you will soon find them on Asda's shelves. According to Retail Week, Asda is also mulling selling 3D printers "in the very near future".
Posted in 3D Printing Services
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Hi, I am so interested in making a mini status for my friend in her coming birthday. Please give me any information for your available stores or website. I live in San Francisco CA. Please help me in getting this wonderful gift for my friend Thanks Alexhedmann@yahoo.com
VinniVanHood wrote at 12/28/2013 8:06:22 AM:
How could they offer this so cheap?!
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