Mike Feldman 
Vice President and General Manager
Enterprise Sales and Services
IPG-Americas

I just heard from Rock Wight, HP IPG WW Market Development Consultant for the Retail and Hospitality Industries, who is onsite at this year's National Retail Federation (NRF) trade show in the "Big Apple" -- one of the nation's largest retail conferences.  Even with the troubles facing the retail industry, Rock reports that the show is one of the best he's attended in years and says the buzz around HP's presence at the show has attendees fired up about the retail industry in 2009.

I wanted to share with you the latest news that HP announced this week to conference attendees around its HP Retail Printing Solution for retailers.  Geared specifically towards grocery and convenience stores, this solution has the capacity, endurance and flexibility to print high quality promotional items on vinyl stock - material poised to tackle the challenges of a busy retail environment.

Think about all the signage you see in your local grocery store. From sales and promotional signage down to the price tags and shelf labels, HP is offering retail signage solutions that look sharp, have lasting appeal, help attract additional customers and, ultimately, drive sales.  And, that should get all retailers excited these days!  Based on feedback from our customers, HP identified a major pain point for retailers and created a solution that addresses the core values and goals of the grocer.  Sometimes recognition alone and one innovative concept can solve a simple and long-standing problem for a customer. Now that is what I call a SMART solution.