Kmart's move marks a split from Kodak, a partner of the retail giant for over 30 years.
With a full rollout expected to be completed by April next year, HP's 'Retail Publishing Solutions' will enable Kmart customers to create a range of personalised photo products, including photobooks, calendars, canvas prints, banners, photo cards, posters, and flip books.
Kmart is in the process of launching its Online Photo Centre, which will also be powered by HP technology. The Centre will allow customers to upload their photos online, order photos or gifts, and have them delivered directly to home or available for pick-up from their nearest store.
"We have chosen the HP Photo Centre Solution because it allows Kmart to deliver a new level of customer experience and creative photo products in-store not offered today," said Adam Gradon, Kmart's divisional merchandise manager for entertainment. "Not only will Kmart customers be able to choose from hundreds of products to help celebrate life's special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, and holidays, but our customers will also be able to create their photo products themselves for pickup within an hour."
The move will also yield an environmental benefit, according to Kmart, with the current silver halide-based systems in each Kmart store to be replaced with a digital dry ink solution expected to reduce the retailer's carbon footprint.
Moreover, the new photo centres will each feature a HP Photosmart ML1000 Minilab printer (pictured), which will eliminate the use of photo chemicals and reduce water and power usage.
"HP's Retail Publishing Solutions offer Kmart the ability to maintain peak operating efficiency of their photo centre business, while providing their customers with inspiration and the most user-friendly kiosks in the market to personalise their photos and publish customised creative output," said Richard Bailey, vice president of the Imaging and Printing Group, HP South Pacific.