Canon opens interactive “Image Square” showroom in Canada. Will the US be next?

 

 

The rumors are true: Canon opened its first Canon Image Square location in Calgary, Alberta, Canada yesterday. The location, however, is not a retail store at all, but more of an interactive showroom, where potential customers can touch and try Canon's latest imaging technology.

No cameras, camcorders, or printers can be purchased at the location, which has the full name of "Image Square, the Canon Experience Centre." Instead, staff at the Image Square will "direct visitors to purchase through authorized local dealers or direct from Canon," according to a press release put out by Canon Canada.

So no, while it's not exactly an Apple or Leica store, Calgary's 6,600-square-foot Canon Image Square is certainly a different direction for Canon which, thus far, has eschewed the "brick and mortar" approach to cameras sales in deference to its photo retail partners.

Whether Calgary's Image Square is a "one-off" location for Canon or the start of a new chain of international showrooms remains to be seen. We queried Canon USA as to whether the company was planning to open similar locations in the United States, but are still waiting to hear back.

 

 

Here are some of the features of the new Image Square Experience Centre, according to the press release.

• Expert staff dedicated to answering questions, sharing tips, and finding information for visitors.

• Full-motion thematic settings and sculptural exhibits where visitors can test point-and-shoot and digital SLR cameras, a range of lenses and accessories, and a selection of printers.

• A touch screen media wall where visitors can post and interact with their own images.

• Interactive discovery tables where visitors can select an image, learn about its features, and find directions to the related product station.

• A fully-operational showroom exhibiting a range of Canon print production devices and solutions for business needs.

• A photo studio outfitted with professional Canon digital SLR cameras, Speedlight flashes, and photo production software.

• A classroom-style learning space where expert staff will conduct seminars, projector demos, presentations, and Canon College photography classes.

• Photo gallery curated by 500px, featuring the works of Alberta-based photographers who use Canon equipment to bring remarkable images to life.

• Expert staff dedicated to answering questions, sharing tips, and finding information for visitors.

• Full-motion thematic settings and sculptural exhibits where visitors can test point-and-shoot and digital SLR cameras, a range of lenses and accessories, and a selection of printers.

• A touch screen media wall where visitors can post and interact with their own images.

• Interactive discovery tables where visitors can select an image, learn about its features, and find directions to the related product station.

• A fully-operational showroom exhibiting a range of Canon print production devices and solutions for business needs.

• A photo studio outfitted with professional Canon digital SLR cameras, Speedlight flashes, and photo production software.

• A classroom-style learning space where expert staff will conduct seminars, projector demos, presentations, and Canon College photography classes.

• Photo gallery curated by 500px, featuring the works of Alberta-based photographers who use Canon equipment to bring remarkable images to life.

Polaroid also recently caught the photo industry by surprise with its plans to open ten new "Fotobar" retail stores in the United States. The first Fotobar location is set to open in Florida in February 2013.

Check out the video below showing off the new Canon Image Square in Calgary.

(Via Newswire)