The emotion memory is back – Kodak returns to Brazil
Kodak returns to Brazil with digital instant cameras that are, at the same time, Bluetooth photo printers, providing a new interaction between digital natives and their parents.
by Leda Cavalcanti
Even with all currently technology, a printed photo always catches attention. Which one of us, for example, did not stop for a moment to see the pictures on portrait frames that are part of the decoration of a house? Why is this happening? Simply because printed photos bring emotion. They save memories, experiences, feelings and do not disappear with a click. With a mixture of nostalgia and modernity, cameras expand their market worldwide, including Brazil.
There’s a retro movement going on. “Millennials and Generation Z are rediscovering things from the 1980s, including the fascination of printing photography, so much so that the camera market is growing three times the average for electronics. The forecast is to reach USD 3 billion worldwide by 2030,” says Fernando Perfeito, director of marketing and sales at Brazil Electronics, an importer specializing in traditional brands and bringing Kodak back to Brazil through the Kodak Mini Shot Retro line, which is part of the Kodak Photo Printers category.
“Printed photos have great emotional appeal even to digital natives, who have grown up seeing their family’s old photos in albums and portrait frames. I believe that Kodak’s return will bring the younger audience the possibility of materializing the images stored on their mobile phone. It’s another retro trend updated for today,” says Anderson Kanno, commercial director of Fast Shop. Brazil Electronics has the exclusive partnership of Fast Shop in the electronics segment for the commercialization of these products.
Combo products:
The line has two models of digital cameras that photograph and print. The Mini Shot Retro 2 is a 20 MP instant camera, with Bluetooth photo printer with 4Pass technology and 3×2 inch rectangular shape. The Mini Shot Retro 3 is a 10 MP instant camera, also with Bluetooth photo printer with 4Pass technology, with 3×3 inch square shape. The difference between the two is the format of the photos. The user also chooses whether he wants the photo in white and black or colored, and with or without border.
Mini Shot Retro 2 – Suggested price on 03/05/2024: BRL 1.599,00.
Mini Shot Retro 3 – Suggested price on 03/05/2024: BRL 1.699,00.
The products come with more than 60 photos and work as portable wireless printers and digital cameras with rechargeable lithium battery. It is possible to take photos from the cameras and print, as well as print images from the mobile phone on Android and iOS devices. They also come with automatic flash, selfie mirror and autofocus. You can apply filters directly to the camera (Normal, Acqua Blue 1, Aqua Blue, Monochrome, Sketch and Sephia). They are available in white and yellow colors.
Among the differentials of the cameras are practicality, quality of images and cost of supplies. The price of each printed photo is 50% lower than other instant cameras. They offer more vivid, high-contrast images as they are printed on proprietary dye sublimation 4Pass technology, the same used in color print samples proof industry and in the printing of medical imaging examinations. They have greater durability due to water resistant plastic lamination and finger touch. Their supplies are produced with recycled post-consumer plastics,” says Fernando.
“The trend of printing photos emerged in Japan in 2010, and Kodak’s return to Brazil is a story of rebirth.”
Reasons of the partnership
The choice of Fast Shop, which has stores throughout Brazil, for the exclusive commercialization of cameras is due to the tradition of the retail chain. “It is a differentiated retail, has founders in the management and structured operation. It is the retail that can provide an experience of using the product. It has the cameras exposed and supplies for customers to test the product. Our expectation of sales is 10,000 units per month in the country by the end of this year”, reveals the director of marketing and sales at Brazil Electronics.
At Fast Shop, customer experience comes first, says the commercial director of the network. “Since 1996, we have been offering in-store product experimentation, which is something that the public is already used to, in the same way that buying a product with us has become synonymous of quality, safety, and exclusivity. Bringing Kodak to our portfolio with exclusive sales is a way to reinforce the innovative DNA of the retail chain and bring back the attention to an item that is part of everyone’s life story, photography, not to mention the emotional appeal that the brand has for most of them.”
The trend of print photography emerged in Japan in 2010, and Kodak’s return to Brazil is a story of rebirth, says Fernando Perfeito. “The company has always been a pioneer. In 1975, it introduced its first digital camera. Since 2013, it has licensed its inventions. In 2016, it patented a new printing technology and in 2017 launched the Mini Show. In 2023, sales reached 6 million units.
“Practicality, image quality and cost of supplies are differentials of the cameras. The price of each printed photo is 50% lower than that of other instant cameras.”
Printed photos are for real, says Anderson Kanno. “The rest of the time we look at images inside smartphone or computer screens. We can’t hold or touch them. When we print a photo, it goes from immaterial to material, and that makes the difference. When we touch the paper of a printed photo, we activate another of the five senses. We combine vision with touch. It’s very interesting to see the interaction between parents and children, who start exchanging experiences and knowledge from a product that unites generations. We are very pleased to see this dynamic happening in our stores.”
Source: Revista Eletrolar News #160
