Retail Print Market and Storytelling Opportunities Session

Retail Photo Printing Opportunities: From Memories to Stories in a Changing Market In this keynote session from IPI CONNECT, Gary Pageau, editor of The Dead Pixels Society, discusses misconceptions about retail print and argues that young consumers still value printing, framing the industry as a "memories market" that can pivot into a more lucrative "stories market." They estimate North American photo printing at about $8B and growing ~5% annually, then outline key channels and players (consumer brands like Shutterfly, boutique brands, prolabs, kiosks, and "free print" apps that monetize user data). They describe major retail disruptions from store closures at CVS/Walgreens and the loss of photo reminders once provided by Costco and others, creating both challenges and openings for independents. Growth areas include flat prints, decor, photo books, gifts/merch, and B2B, while calendars decline. Speed is becoming the top customer priority, and AI-driven entertainment may increase demand for authentic tangible products, citing vinyl and DVDs. Examples include a digital disposable-camera app and Remento, an app that uses prompts and AI to help families create printed storybooks. 00:00 Keynote: Retail Print Market Opportunities 00:52 Market Size & Segments 11:31 Retail Consolidation Challenges 12:16 AI & the Value of Authentic Storytelling 14:21 The Vinyl Phenomenon & Tangible Products 16:51 Consumer Trends & Creative Expression 18:06 Innovative Storytelling Apps 19:14 Wrap-Up & Speaker Bio