Home News & Insights Sharp and Hello Sushi partner to improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs

Sharp and Hello Sushi partner to improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs

Through their strategic partnership with Sharp, Hello Sushi successfully transitioned their label printing operations in-house, resulting in enhanced operational efficiencies and cost savings.

This case study delves into Hello Sushi's specific requirements for implementing a label printer and the significant benefits they reaped from this collaboration. It underscores the strong alliance between Hello Sushi and Sharp as we work hand in hand to address and resolve their business challenges.

 

About Hello Sushi

Hello Sushi, a family-owned establishment, boasting a network of seven stores nestled in the picturesque Bay of Plenty region. The journey began with the grand opening of Hello Sushi's flagship store in 2023 in Bethlehem, Tauranga, culminating in the addition of the latest store in Papamoa in November 2023.

 

Hello Sushi and Sharp’s Partnership

In September 2023, Hello Sushi initiated a partnership with Sharp when Carol and Jayden visited the Sharp Tauranga office to meet with Phillip Lottering, Senior Account Manager, and explore the capabilities of the OKI Pro 1050 label printer. Their interest was piqued after encountering the printer at the Auckland Food Show in July 2023, prompting them to delve into its functionality and the potential implementation costs.

Hello Sushi, known for their production of numerous branded labels adorning each sushi pack sold to customers, sought to determine if the OKI label printer could offer a more efficient solution for their printing needs.

 

Background

Hello Sushi, were outsourcing label printing to a facility in Auckland, which required minimum order quantities and resulted in weekly print runs of around 20,000 labels. Once printed, these labels needed to be stored at Carol and Jayden’s garage, taking up valuable space. This setup led to costly print runs and inefficient storage practices to meet the high-volume demands of five stores across Tauranga. As a result, wanted to explore more cost-effective and efficient solutions for managing their label printing moving forward.

Furthermore, menus in their Papamoa store were showcased on printed signage above the counters. However, this posed a challenge as any menu updates necessitated redesigning and reprinting the signage. They sought innovative methods to present menus, aiming to boost operational efficiency and enhance the overall customer experience in-store.

Through Phillip's collaboration with Carol and Jayden, Sharp presented a compelling proposal for an OKI label printer, offering flexibility in print runs and eliminating the need for excessive label storage. Additionally, Phillip showcased Sharp's PNHW series commercial displays, providing Hello Sushi with the ability to schedule menu displays effortlessly and enhance their in-store ambiance.

Hello Sushi chose Sharp for their local support, efficient communication, and strong relationship between Carol, Jayden and Phillip. The partnership with Sharp allowed Hello Sushi to streamline their operations and create a more dynamic and engaging experience for their customers.

 

Sharp’s Solutions

About Sharp’s OKI Pro 1050 Label Printer

The Pro1050 is a game-changer in label printing with its innovative approach to colour. By combining digital LED technology with dry toner, the Pro1050 offers a remarkable fifth colour option, known as 'CMYK+1,' allowing for endless possibilities in label design. Easily print on transparent or coloured label media by adding an opaque white background beneath the CMYK image, opening new avenues for revenue through on-demand, in-house colour label printing services.

Whether it's enhancing brand identity for food, beverages, or household goods, the Pro series caters to a variety of narrow-format label types, ensuring top-notch results for all your label needs. From outdoor labels to freezer and cold-storage labels, or even labels for everyday pantry items, the Pro series has got you covered.

About Sharp’s PNHW Displays

Sharp's PNHW series of cutting-edge 4K monitors are tailor-made for captivating signage, making them the ultimate tool for businesses seeking to engage, educate, and influence audiences with a sleek LCD display. With sizes available from 43 to 86 inches, the PNHW guarantees that your message is conveyed with crystal-clear precision on any scale.

Boasting 4K Ultra-HD resolution and a convenient built-in USB media player, this slim and sophisticated monitor can be seamlessly installed in various settings to meet your signage needs. Whether it finds its place in a retail, hospitality, or corporate setting, this monitor is crafted to make a lasting impact.

 

Implementation and Outcomes for Hello Sushi

“Working with Sharp’s team on the project and implementation in-store was a dynamic and collaborative experience. The team was highly organised and had a clear vision for the project, which facilitated smooth planning and execution. Communication was open and frequent, ensuring that any potential issues were addressed promptly. Sharp’s team brought a wealth of expertise and innovative ideas, contributing significantly to the project's success.”

“The implementation phase in-store was particularly exciting, as it allowed us to see the tangible results of our efforts. The team was hands-on, providing support and troubleshooting in real-time to ensure everything ran smoothly. Overall, the experience was marked by professionalism, creativity, and a strong focus on achieving our objectives efficiently.” Says Carol Kim, Owner, Hello Sushi.

Upon implementing in-house label printing and digital menu displays, Hello Sushi observed significant transformations, including:


Benefits for Hello Sushi

The benefits for Hello Sushi included the ease of updating menus quickly allowing for real-time adjustments to menu items, prices, and promotions without the need for printing new signage.

Along with this Hello Sushi was able to better communicate using the displays for more than just menus. Such as highlighting special offers, new items, or store events, enhancing overall communication with customers.

This resulted in an enhanced customer experience by providing potential integration with interactive elements can allow customers to navigate the menu themselves, further personalising their experience. And being able to make informed decisions from detailed and up-to-date menu information helping customers make better dining choices, potentially increasing their satisfaction.

“Working with Sharp has been a transformative experience for Hello Sushi. Their innovative solutions, like the OKI Pro 1050 label printer and the PNHW series displays, have streamlined our operations and significantly enhanced our customer experience. The team's local support, efficient communication, and strong relationship-building have made this partnership invaluable. Sharp's commitment to excellence and their ability to tailor their solutions to our specific needs have truly set them apart. We've seen immediate benefits in cost savings, operational efficiency, and overall store ambiance, making this collaboration a resounding success." - Carol Kim, Owner, Hello Sushi

 

Are you ready to transform your approach to label printing and enhancing your customer experience though the use of displays? Reach out to us today and unlock a world of endless possibilities.