Tony M Oct 29, 2013:

@ Simon I tend to agree, I think we're both seeing this about the same way.
What I'm still wondering about, though, is which way round the situation is; i.e., prior to the introduction of interactive tables, was it the point of sale that was lacking a customer experience — or was it the customer experience that was lacking the point of sale? It may not make a heap of difference, but might just help to arrive at a good translation solution.

Simon Mac Oct 29, 2013:

My gut feeling... ...is that they are using replacer in the sense of transporting. Transporting the customer experience to the point of sale.
These interactive displays allow the customer to visualise rather than just imagine so their experience is being moved (relocated) into the point of sale.
Putting that more creatively into English we'd say something like "the interactive tables bring the customer experience to life directly in the sales setting". Not a direct translation but what I think they're getting at.

(@Tony, thanks for your comment - I'd stupidly already deleted my post!)

Tony M Oct 29, 2013:

Maybe... ...use an EN phrasal verb, along the lines of 'are putting... back...'

philgoddard Oct 29, 2013:

"Reinvent" may be a good idea, depending on the context.

Tony M Oct 29, 2013:

Sounds to me... As if they are trying to offer customers the same sort of 'feel' and convenience you get with on-line shopping, but in an accompanied store environment, i.e. where you have an even better chance of up-selling to them.

Alison MacG Oct 29, 2013:

Here is another sentence Réintroduire dans vos locaux une réelle expérience d’échange entre vendeur et client tout en conservant la puissance des outils numériques

I think it is all about (re-)creating the right customer experience at the right time in the right place, and the right place is usually at the point of sale. It's almost like reinventing the customer experience.

philgoddard Oct 29, 2013:

I still don't fully understand the context, and I suspect the following sentences would provide some clues. But I wonder whether the idea is that they make shopping a more enjoyable experience, and perhaps attract customers who might otherwise buy online.

Tony M Oct 29, 2013:

Right! One of these is used over here in France for one particular weather broadcast.

polyglot45 Oct 29, 2013:

I did indeed read 'remplacer' clearly losing my marbles. That said, Wonder if it is a typo ?

Jane F (asker) Oct 29, 2013:

Interactive tables Interactive tables are multitouch screens in the form of a table which can be used by several people at once. They have several different uses; in schools for collaborative projects, in restaurants to order a meal, in shops as a sales tool. In the latter case, they are not meant to replace the sales person but to help him advise the customer.

philgoddard Oct 29, 2013:

Yes, they bring it back to the point of sale.

Tony M Oct 29, 2013:

@ P/G But... surely that would be 'remplacer'? This looks to me like re + placer = to put the sthg back somewhere?

polyglot45 Oct 29, 2013:

whatever they are, they replace the whole thing - i.e. the client's experience at point of sale. These interactive techniques mean that clients don't have to go to the store, and their only contact is therefore remote. No interaction with sales staff, no chance to browse around the store, see what other people are choosing or whatever.

philgoddard Oct 29, 2013:

What's an interactive table?