The Power of Yoomake, Twikit, and i.materialise Comes Together in 3D Printing Booths at Auchan Retailer

A loved one asked me just the other day, “What should I get you for Christmas?” I view that as a silly question because I certainly don’t feel entitled to a gift from anyone or want them to go to expense, so I responded with an unsure response, distracted by wondering what the heck I am going to purchase for the long list of people I have to shop for myself. I can see however that this might not be a challenge for those shopping in Lille, France at Auchan, where not only can holiday shoppers make 3D printed mini-mes, mini-yous, and the like, but they can also create items for 3D printing like jewelry, trophies, and medals.

What a delightful way to make customized gifts, and with the idea of 3D printed novelties wrapped up with a bow, I enjoy anticipating the surprise and excited conversation following the unwrapping of such a unique gift. The technology is still unknown or totally new to so many people that it’s truly a great way to make a celebratory, holiday splash.

At Auchan this year, it doesn’t matter whether the gift giver or receiver has any experience with 3D printing. Gifts can be created and customized with ease at the Yoomake kiosk located in Auchan. Powered by i.materialise and Twikit, users have a streamlined creating and ordering experience which requires absolutely no level of expertise but yields high quality prints that once ordered are completed at i.materialise and then shipped right to the store for pickup by the customer.

So whether someone is thinking about taking that extra step with a beautiful silver ring or band (nothing like putting a ring on it at the holidays, I’m just sayin’), or interested in making a figurine which is the perfect accoutrement to the work desk, the Yoomake kiosk, along with other kiosks making appearances in retail venues around the world, should be turning the heads of holiday shoppers looking to cross items off their lists.

It’s quite the collective genius of three companies coming together to make the seamless experience for shoppers with Yoomake providing the kiosks, Twikit creating the customization and integration apps for the retailers, and i.materialise printing and shipping/delivering the actual 3D printed product.

While the Lille location of Auchan is featuring the Yoomake kiosk, they do have retail stores worldwide, and used to have locations in the US but those were closed due to fierce marketplace competition with superstores like Wal-Mart.

Twikit allows retailers to engage with their customers in customizing elegant and novelty items for 3D printing, and up until the production process, they help to lead the way with apps developed specifically for unique customer bases.

i.materialise is a 3D printing marketplace chock full of products that can be purchased, or you can sell your own designs there. They will also 3D print your designs, as their mission is to allow everyone to get involved in innovation, designing, and creating.

Have you even been to an Auchan hypermarket, or have you experienced using one of the 3D printing retail kiosks yet? Tell us about it in the Auchan 3D Printing Booth forum at 3DPB.com.