This project was undertaken as a speculative consulting pitch showcasing new solutions to persistent problems that the Ontario Lottery was facing in retail.  My role in this project was to help identify potential opportunities and lead the team through accelerated research and development phases to produce a conceptual proposal outlining the solution.

A core opportunity we identified was the increase in theft of instant scratch tickets lottery retailers were experiencing in quick-stop transaction locations like convenience stores and gas stations. The existing merchandising solution was a simple tray with no locking or other theft prevention features that left tickets vulnerable when unattended.

To understand the behaviour, we worked with retail partners to understand how tickets were being stolen and what we could do to prevent it — which led to a new tray built on three levels of security. The first level was to secure the tray itself with a new design that anchored to the counter and snapped together over this mounting plate. Second, we created an obscured latch mechanism for the tray which made it difficult to remove from in front of counter but easy for the operator to remove over 100 times a day. Finally, we provide a rudimentary magnet-based lock that clerks could quickly and easily engage when away from the counter for extended periods.

Florida Lottery was looking to bring back a window sign advertising program to help with customer awareness across the state. They were looking for two sizes – two and three foot – and a solution that was durable enough to stand the harsh Florida sun but would fit their budget. Our team developed an economical approach based on a curved aluminum frame to provide the signs structure that could be rolled into the desired two sizes. Internal graphic panels and LED light panel were captured into groves in the extrusion to create a clean, seamless exterior frame.  

OLG was looking to launch a new format of instant scratch ticket that would not fit their existing merchandisers. They approached our team to research and design a solution was large enough to hold this new ticket but was designed to fit in the already crowded space of retail counters. After auditing potential locations, we identified an opportunity to build a mini merchandiser to float over top of OLG's existing ticket merchandiser — relying on space already claimed by OLG. Rolling out at scale, we designed the unit as a fully injection molded case, with a locking slide out tray, graphic trap door and fully adjustable base.