Kmart Australia and Ted’s Camera Stores in Australia are about to implement a new HP publishing solution to help improve in-store photo services and reduce carbon footprint.
 
The HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer is a dry, inkjet minilab capable of producing traditional single-sided photo prints as well as duplex photo book pages and calendars in a single machine in retail.
 
Mark Loosschilder, business development manager, Retail Photo Solutions, IPG, Hewlett-Packard Australia said retailers using the Minilab can increase their operating efficiency by vastly reducing energy consumption, eliminating hazardous chemicals and water consumption, and lowering labour costs.
 
“Retailers implementing the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer will enjoy a greater return-on-investment by having the ability to produce both photos and higher margin creative photo products from the one minilab,” he said.
 
According to Adam Gradon, divisional merchandise manager, entertainment, Kmart, the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer will allow Kmart to offer our customers arguably the best quality photo books in retail “all within one hour, while using HP technology to reduce the environmental footprint of our photo centres”.
 
“One of the key reasons we have chosen to implement HP technology is to move away from traditional chemical based photo production to a ‘greener’ method”, said Jason Robertson, photofinishing executive, Ted’s Camera Stores.
 
“With the HP Photosmart ML1000D, HP was able to offer us environmentally friendly technology with duplex capability that will also enhance our customers’ creative photo experience.”
 
As the compound annual growth rate for photo books alone worldwide is projected to increase 22 per cent from 2008 to 2013, HP is providing retailers with an opportunity to capture more share of this lucrative market.
 
Retailers choosing the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer can experience a 64 per cent savings in energy and an average savings of 1600 gallons of chemical and water discharge per year, according to HP.
 
Additionally, the Minilab’s supplies can be recycled easily and responsibly through the HP Planet Partners Return and Recycling program.