Digital provider Symtio sees 'tremendous growth'

Written by Staff

Thursday, 16 July 2009 01:55 PM America/New_York

Marking a year since the announcement of its launch at last year's International Christian Retail Show (ICRS), Symtio, a retail digital content system, is now in more than 500 stores. "We've had tremendous growth in the last year. And that's going to continue because we have a solution that meets the needs of the retailer, the content provider and the consumer," said Joe Questel, Symtio's business development vice president.

The Symtio digital platform launched in October 2008 with 212 Christian bookstores selling the cards that give access to download digital products like eBooks and audiobooks through the retailer's Web site.

"The CBA space has never had content for consumers to buy and download themselves," Questel said. "We make that available now, giving their retail customers the content and convenience they want."

ICRS visitors this week were introduced to a summer makeover for the system. The updated style includes new signage with a more contemporary look, newly designed product cards and new product displays. Stores will also get marketing kits and newsletters to help explain and promote the system.

The redesigned product cards-now 100% recyclable-look more like real book covers, and callout tags have been added on the top to make it easier for shoppers to identify the selection as an eBook or MP3 audiobook. The new cards will be shipped to replace existing stock the week of Aug. 17.

Response to the Symtio initiative had been "pretty phenomenal" said Zondervan President Moe Girkins. Initially launched by Zondervan in the Christian retail channel only, Symtio will be made available to general market stores later in the year.