Aquafresh Launches Dental Gum & Lozenges
SmithKline Beecham has launched Aquafresh Dental Gum and Dental Lozenges. Aquafresh is the first major toothpaste brand to expand into the dental gum and lozenges segment.
Aquafresh Dental Gum helps clean teeth and fight plaque acids. Aquafresh Dental Lozenges help maintain healthy teeth by neutralizing plaque acids and providing another solution for the consumers who don’t want to chew gum but still want fresh breath and clean teeth at times when they can’t brush.
“We want people to know that it’s important to take care of your teeth,” said Vanda Rosemberg, Brand Equity Manager, SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare. “When you are on the go and can’t brush, Aquafresh Dental Gum and Dental Lozenges are the next best thing.”
Butler Floorstand Displays ‘Cleaner Toothbrush’
The Butler GUM brand of oral care products transforms the toothbrush category with the introduction of the Protect toothbrush, featuring a replaceable head with antibacterial bristle protection.
The antibacterial coating is clinically proven to reduce bacterial contamination on the bristles. The replaceable three-head design makes it easy and convenient to change to a fresh brush every month. When used as directed, each bristle head provides 30 days of continuous protection.
Butler is using floorstand and wing panel displays to promote the launch of the Protect toothbrush at retail.
Mott’s Launches Clamato Tomato Cocktail Promotion
Mott’s has launched a promotion that’s good news for consumers with friends or relatives in Mexico. With the purchase of one 64-ounce Clamato, consumers will receive a free 10-minute phone card for calls to Mexico or within the continental U.S. affixed to a brightly colored necker. The phone card can be activated using a PIN number found under the Clamato cap.
The promotion will take place in Mexican Hispanic dominated markets.
“This is a great promotion for Clamato and our consumers,” said Omar Garcia, Brand Manager, Clamato. “It gives added value to consumers by being able to keep in touch with friends and loved ones in Mexico, which ties in well with the overall positioning of Clamato as a drink that enhances the time you share with family and friends. ”
Details of the promotion will be communicated through radio tags, on-pack neckers and special case cards at the point-of-sale.
Hawaiian Tropic Roll-About
This 5 Shelf Roll-About produced for Hawaiian Tropic, provides strong brand identity and an appealing merchandising vehicle to maximize product take away in a competitive, seasonal category.
The free-standing display obtained additional store location and incremental sales increase. The display features vacuum formed, two-sided “Mr. Sun” logo and Sand N’Sea shelf covers. The unit is constructed from metal and tubing and has a powder chrome® finish.
The Hawaiian Tropic 5 Shelf Roll-About was created by Nashville Display, a Nashville, TN-based point-of purchase display firm.
Display Promotes Reader’s Digest’s New Barbie Books
This fun and brightly colored corrugated floor display was designed to provide instant brand recognition as well as merchandise Reader’s Digest’s new collection of licensed Barbie Books in a wide variety of retail channels.
The floor merchandiser features a life size Barbie standee that ships along with the display. Depending on the retail environment, Barbie can be connected to the floorstand, or can be used separately as a standee in another area of the store. The shelves pull out and allow for different configurations for future promotions with the simple addition of an updated header card and another optional standee, a feature that provides cost effectiveness to Reader’s Digest.
The display houses 44 books with eight separate titles in a familiar and inviting Barbie hot pink.
The Barbie Books display was created for Reader’s Digest by Taurus Packaging, Cherry Hill, NJ.
Heineken Sweepstakes Brings Consumers To Hottest Latin Concerts
Heineken En Vivo’s VIP All Access sweepstakes is bringing lucky winners to the Latin Music concert of their choice in VIP All Access style. In addition, consumers have the opportunity to win Music Shopping Sprees, DVD players, and a CD compilation of this year’s Billboard International Latin Music nominees.
Consumers enter to win via tear pads available on- and off-premise. The promotion will be supported by display enhancers, bilingual POS, and local radio spots.
Eight O’Clock Coffee Combats “Grinder Phobia”
Eight O’Clock Coffee wanted to take advantage of the increasing consumption of whole bean coffee. It turned to Creative Alliance/AIM, a Southport, CT-based promotion agency to develop an Eight O’Clock marketing blitz.
Creative Alliance/AIM’s Brand Ambassadors invaded key high traffic areas such as commuter stations and shopping malls offering a fresh cup of hot coffee, a coupon and an Eight O’Clock coffee premium.
Brand Ambassadors also scheduled in-store events to enhance Eight O’Clock Coffee’s presence at the point of purchase. “These events were designed to combat ‘grinder phobia’ by showing consumers how easy it is to grind their own coffee using the in-store grinder,” said Nick Lemma, Partner, at Creative Alliance/AIM.
Energizer e2 Battery Introduced
Energizer has launched Energizer e2, its first super premium battery, which marries battery users’ wants and needs with advanced technology and consumer friendly features. Energizer e2, now available in-store nationwide, signifies the company’s commitment to meeting the varied needs of consumers through a full portfolio of quality products. Energizer e2 uses a unique form of titanium compound and new cell construction to unlock additional power giving the batteries longer life.
Energizer e2 represents the single largest new product launch in the company’s history. Approximately 25,000 semi-permanent displays have been placed across the country in support of the launch.
Winn-Dixie To Host ‘The Return Store’
Winn-Dixie Stores will provide host locations for The Return Store, a new business designed to serve e-commerce and traditional merchants in handling merchandise returns. The Company plans to have approximately 400 to 600 operations in Winn-Dixie Stores by the end of 2001.
The Return Store, on behalf of the merchants (dot com, brick & mortar, catalogue on TV) provides customer service links to consumers who need to return or exchange an item.
The Return Store has chosen to use supermarkets as host locations because they generally offer convenient hours, ample parking, and shopping carts to handle larger items.
Functional Food Marketers Position Themselves For A Long Haul
It appears as if the market for functional foods is not going to explode with significant incremental revenue and profits in the very near term. The negotiation of the regulatory claims process and the need to change consumer attitudes and usage make the marketing of functional foods a tedious and expensive undertaking, according to David Vladyka, Project Manager of Kline & Company, Inc., a Little Falls, NJ-based management consulting firm.
As discussed in Kline & Company’s study, “Functional Foods: A Competitive Landscape,” the most prevalent business models that are emerging have been somewhat conservative. While a few companies such as Unilever and Johnson & Johnson have jumped in with significant investment in new product launches, most tend to be taking less risky approaches. There have been notable new product successes, such as Viactiv candy calcium supplements from Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Mead Johnson Division.
Companies also seek to protect their investments and minimize risk. Over two-thirds of all companies in the functional foods market, and those planning to enter it, are trying to develop proprietary positions either through protected processes, unique ingredients or utilization of an existing brand equity. “The companies that are in the best position are those that best understand the area of nutrition, as well as those companies with broad product portfolios,” according to Vladyka.
Beer Industry Is Healthy, Says Study
The beer industry enters the new century with a very healthy profile, according to “Beer is Volume with Profit,” Miller Brewing Company’s annual analysis of the beer and beverage industry.
According to the analysis, total U.S. beer volume rose 2.7 million barrels, to just under 200 million barrels, during 1999. Adult beer drinkers spent more than $63 billion on what the report calls “America’s favorite beverage of choice.” Nearly 500,000 retailers enjoyed $31 billion in beer profits during the year.
Unilever To Launch Wisk Laundry Tablets
Unilever is introducing Wisk Dual Action Laundry Tablets, a new form in the laundry category, offering the convenience of a measured dose The Tablets eliminate the measuring, mess and waste associated with other forms of laundry products.
Alcone Marketing Group has been assigned for promotions.
Pez Card Game Debuts
U.S. Games Systems, Stamford, CT, has introduced the PEZ Card Game, the first game based on the rectangle-shaped, fruit-flavored candy and collectible dispensers. There is also an expandability feature through the availability of new PEZ Dispenser cards, called Booster Packs.
StarKist Introduces Tuna In A Pouch
StarKist has introduced StarKist Tuna in a Pouch, a vacuum-sealed foil pouch delivering firmer, fresher-tasting tuna with no draining. Unlike canned tuna, the easy-open pouch contains virtually no liquid.
Peter Bowen, COO Star-Kist Foods, said, “StarKist Tuna in a Pouch will change the way people think of tuna.”
Jack Daniel’s Barrel Chips Distributed
The Jack Daniel Distillery’s famous white oak barrels, used for aging Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, are now available in retail stores as Jack Daniel’s Barrel Chips for grilling or smoking.
The barrels provide a truly distinct flavor that has been discovered by some of the world’s best outdoor chefs as a great flavor additive.
Heinz Debuts ‘EZ Squirt’
The H.J. Heinz company is introducing Heinz EZ Squirt, the first ketchup designed especially for kids. Heinz EZ Squirt helps to transform kids’ favorite foods through innovative packaging that provides better control and more fun at mealtime.
Heinz EZ Squirt will also be available in Blastin’ Green, a fun, new color aimed at providing children with excitement and variety at mealtime.
Lenticular Development, has introduced backlit floor graphics under the trade name of “Footlights,” in combination with its 3D and Animation lenticular images. The “Footlights” floor graphics system can be used with or without backlighting, and with or without lenticular. It can be used over any flat floor surface, including carpets, tiles or wood floors. The “Footlights” backlighting option makes any floor a full service lightbox, in any size or configuration imaginable. For more information, contact Lenticular Development, (Tel) 909-471-0468, (Fax) 909-471-0478.
Clip Strip Corp., has introduced sign protectors that fit standard shelf channels. The sign holders eliminate the need for expensive adhesive based sign stock. They are made of a light weight, rigid vinyl that protects sign cards from wear and tear. For more information, contact Clip Strip Corp., P.O. Box 399, Hackensack, NJ 07602-0399; (Tel) 201-641-0485, (Fax) 201-342-1438, www.clipstrip.com.
Clarke Systems offers BannerTrack, for hanging banners without tape or cords. Just mount BannerTrack to a wall surface and hang any size banner or poster in just minutes without droops, sags or puckers. BannerTrack is available in 4’ and 8’ lengths with white enamel finish. For more information, contact Clarke Systems, 1857 Walnut Street, Allentown, PA 18104; (Tel) 800-331-1891, 610-434-9889, (Fax) 610-434-9868, www.clarkesystems-signs.com.
Art-Phyl Creations is now offering its new Kwik-Header, a short run solution to producing header signs for P.O.P. displays. Available in quantities as small as 25 units, Kwik-Header consists of an 8 1/2” x 11” all plastic molded frame and a full color sign printed one or two sides. The frames are available in either black or white and fit 1” dia. O.D. tubing. Kwik-Header can be used with any of APC’s large selection of stock floor and counter racks. For more information, contact Art-Phyl Creations, 16250 NW 48 Avenue, Miami, FL 33014; (Tel) 800-327-8318, 305-624-2333, (Fax) 305-621-4093, www.art-phyl.com.
Merchandising Inventives has introduced Jet Wire, stretchable steel wire sign holders, stocked in lengths of 6, 8 and 12 inches that can be pulled up to 4, 5 and 8 feet. The Jet Wire can be pulled to the desired length for various sign heights. For more information, contact Merchandising Inventives, Inc., 917 North Shore Drive, Lake Bluff, IL 60044; (Tel) 800-367-5653, 847-295-9700, (Fax) 847-295-9707, www.merchinv.com.
Trion Industries, Inc. has introduced no-tools necessary Plastic Guarded J-Hooks and Scanning J-Hooks. Featuring an innovative patented Wedge Clip, these Guarded J-Hooks provide easy, no-tools, no-screw, wedge-fit installation in C-Channel or Tag Molding. The mount locks into standard USA Tag Molding, with other size wedges available for special needs. The wedge is molded integrally with the J-Hook for convenience and to avoid loss during storage or handling. High-strength plastic makes the hooks durable yet inexpensive. For more information, contact Trion Industries, Inc., 297 Laird Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702-6997; (Tel) 570-824-1000, 800-444-4665, (Fax) 570-823-4080, www.trionind.com.
Klever Marketing Launches Klever-Kart
Klever Marketing Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, is offering the supermarket industry its Klever-Kart system, which acts as a personal shopping assistant, providing information on an interactive LCD display mounted to the shopping cart handle.
Klever-Kart gives directions to specific products or locations in a store, highlights specific brand messages, while building loyalty through its unique one-on-one relationship.
Klever-Kart displays brand equity advertising and promotional messages at the point-of-purchase, where the ultimate purchase decision is made.
For more information, contact Klever Kart, 350 West South, #201, Salt Lake City, UT 84101; (Tel) 801-322-1221; (Fax) 801-322-1230; (web site) www.kleverkart.com.
Miller Football Guide Displayed At POS
The annual Miller Lite NFL Football Guide has been published, filled with facts and football merchandise offers. Joe Jones, Director, Promotions, said, “The Guide provides an incentive to purchase Miller Lite and Miller Draft. It gives retailers a means to pump up sales during the Labor Day selling period.”
Specially marked packages of Miller Lite and MGD contain the Guide. The promotion is supported with case card displays, danglers and inflatables. The displays were designed by Zipatoni, a St. Louis-based promotion agency.
Floor Display Boosts Sales For Glaceau
When Energy Brands, Inc. wanted to achieve increased visibility and display space on the retail level in a manner consistent with the premium image of its Glaceau bottled water brands, the Company developed the “Glaceau Water and Hydro Set,” a customized TechStoc Optimizer Rack from Display Technologies, College Point, NY.
The Glaceau Water and Hydro Set was designed to display the full range of Glaceau brands. The merchandiser is modular and enables the retailer to interconnect as many racks as needed, in multiple configurations. The Glaceau brand name and logo are printed on a custom frosted header.
Sampling Display Offered For Promos
Walls + Forms Inc. offers a new promotional system for p.o.p. applications including in store demos, product sampling, information kiosks, and special events.
Lightweight at 20 lbs., it is also durable and waterproof. Made of high-density polyethylene, it can be used indoors or out. It is easy to set up and knock down and is portable.
For more information, contact Walls + Forms , P.O. Box 741112, Dallas, TX 75374; (Tel) 972-980-7320, (Web) www.wallsforms.com.
The ‘Incredible Drivable Egg’ Promo
Radio Unica, a Spanish language radio network and the California Egg Commission, have developed a promotion to increase egg consumption among Latinos.
The promotion stars a custom 2000 Volkswagen Beetle with a yolk-yellow interior and an eggshell white exterior, touring retailer locations and station events.
Consumers can fill out entry forms for a chance to win The Incredible Drivable Egg from Radio Unica.
Nabisco Launches Back-To-School Promo Starring ‘N Sync
Nabisco Biscuit Co. has launched a back-to-school promotion that includes a sweepstakes that awards one lucky winner a concert with pop band ‘N Sync for their school. The promotion also includes a tie-in with Universal Music Group offering a limited-edition CD of new music artists.
Nabisco aims to send kids aged 6- to 16-years-old to the store to buy more Oreos, Cheese Nips and other Nabisco brands that will carry the offers. The ‘N Sync/Universal promotion is Nabisco’s largest-ever back-to-school effort. More than 34 million Nabisco packages carry a picture of ‘N Sync and entry forms to win the free concert as well as music equipment.
Mott’s & Nickelodeon Reunite For Promo
Mott’s is teaming up with Nickelodeon this fall for the release of “Rugrats In Paris, The Movie.”
Mott’s is giving away over 1,000 prizes via an on-pack instant win promotion. Ten grand prize winners wil receive a suitcase full of Rugrats toys by Mattel.
The promotion is being supported with FSI’s and p.o.s. materials. In addition, Mott’s licensed Rugrats apple sauce products will deliver free in-pack sticker tattoos.
“The combination of these consumer promotion offers and “Rugrats in Paris” is sure to be a hit,” said Mike Ryan, Product Manager, Mott’s.
Farmer Jack Supermarkets recently brought the grocery store experience to the Michigan International Women’s Show. As a title sponsor of the event, the Company hosted a 100-booth Farmer Jack “Super-market” area. Farmer Jack’s most popular food departments plus dozens of vendor partners were contained in a 40,000 sq. ft area. Seventy vendor booths, including such popular names as Procter & Gamble, Pepsi, Kraft, Pillsbury, Frito-Lay, and Nabisco, offered product samples, recipes, brochures and enter to win contests.
Flexinator Display Offers Expandable Width
The Flexinator, with expandable width, can accommodate more items during a specific promotion, and has the ability to be able to change locations within a store setting as well as the entire look of the display itself. The Flexinator is 55" W x 43" D x 88" H, and can expand to 64" wide. The Flexinator can hold 27 two liter bottles; 12 ½ liter 6 packs on the side shelves; 54 two liter bottles on the middle shelves with a total liter capacity of 540 bottles. The Flexinator accommodates the changing promotions as required and offers the ability to hold different items of the same or different sizes. It can achieve many different looks by changing the graphics and the pallet, along with the width, and can work in different type store locations. Shown is the Flexinator in use for Coca-Cola and it may be used by other beverage companies as well. The Flexinator Display was created by Display Technologies, 111-01 14th Avenue, College Point, NY 11356.
Kellogg's In Line Supermarket Merchandiser
Form follows retail function and this display was designed to fit against supermarket shelving acting as an end cap with a maximum height of 54" and maximum width of 48". The use of a 3" diameter clear acrylic tube allowed for branding of the display and product by placing a graphic with the header tube. Retailers are reporting outstanding sales results of Kellogg's convenience foods attributed to the placement of this custom merchandiser. The Kellogg's In Line Supermarket Merchandiser was created by Visual Marketing Inc., 154 W. Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60610.
Speedway/SuperAmerica Visa Application Promotion
Visa recently ran an applications promotion which featured Affordable Floor Graphics and Gas Pump Siders at 2700 Convenience store locations. 27 floor graphics die cut to 24x 36" were printed on .004 vinyl base material with .006 Safari overlaminate. 16,000 Gas Pump Siders, 7" x 9" in .030 White Styrene were used to provide impact for the promotion. Used for the Pump mounting were adhesive backed rabbit ear extrusions with a Viking Clip. Through the effective coordinated use of outside gas pump side graphics, backed up with inside floor graphics, Visa applications were expected to soar. The promotion emphasized the benefits of signing up: no annual fee, free gas, free groceries. The high quality 4 color process printing employed provided the impact to bring this promotion to life. The Visa Application Promotion graphics were supplied by T&T Graphics Inc., 2563 Technical Drive, Miamisburg, OH 45342.
Mothers Cookies Milk Carton Display
This display was designed to merchandise cookies in other areas of the grocery store where cookies and cakes normally do not appear. The unit is used in the dairy and freezer sections and is also used to promote seasonal specialties. All the graphic panels are silk-screened styrene. The two longer side panels have literature pockets that can be used for consumer information. The topper is constructed of a vacuum form piece and two plastic sheets that are joined together to form the milk carton topper. The tubing structure and five wire shelves support up to 50 pounds of product per shelf. The unit is easy to move as it is equipped with two locking casters and two swivel casters, and it is shoppable from both sides. Graphics panels are interchangeable for various promotions. This program has been extremely successful and additional units are now in production. The Mothers Cookies Milk Carton Display was created by Harbor Industries, Inc., 14130 172nd Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Coors Light July 4th Promotion
Coors Brewing launched a Fourth of July campaign featuring these Inflatables. The unique design of the Stars & Stripes air mattress made an attractive eye-catching display. These air mattresses are functional and their bright colors and outstanding graphics helped strengthen the Coors Light brand position. The air mattress was made in two sizes: 72" x 38" and 96" x 51". The three inflatable stars with streamers were used at the point of sale for added impact. The Coors Light Fourth of July Inflatables were created by Sterling Promotion Corp., 3010 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, New York 10577.
Duracell Ultra Batteries Floor Spinner Rack
Tweeter Home Entertainment Group recommends and carries only Duracell Ultra batteries for the high end electronic devices they sell. Tweeter wanted an exciting new floor spinner rack that conveyed the value-added look of a high tech battery product suitable for their customers. The unit's design consists of curved steel tubes, forming three rotating wings to display the batteries. The tubes were powder coated in an electric blue color that matched the blister packaging. The display captures the energy of the high tech Ultra logo and its compact design makes shopping and restocking the display easy. The display has been rolled out nationally at Tweeter Home Entertainment locations and it receives prominent placement in high traffic areas. Duracell Ultra sales have increased 11% since deployment of this display. The Duracell Ultra Batteries Floor Spinner Rack was created by Display Creations, 1970 Industrial Park Road, Brooklyn, NY 11207.
Stock Displays Offered In Various Configurations
Art-Phyl Creations has added several new products to its stock line over the past year. The super Tri-Panel is a three-sided stock revolving floor display that uses modular 18" x 24" plastic peg panels to create 18 sq. ft. of display area in only 3.2 sq. ft. of floor space. Other products include stack trays, revolving bucket and bin displays and a 72 position clip bag displayer. All units are available from stock form Art-Phyl Creations, P.O. Box 5457, Hialeah, FL 33014.
Pepsi-Cola Company 3-Message Prismatic Display
This TriAd® 3-message prismatic display was produced for restaurants and convenience stores that serve fountain soda. The display shows an image of Diet Pepsi, and fountain Pepsi. The purpose of the display is to remind/inform customers that Pepsi products were used for the fountain soda. The Pepsi-Cola® 3-Message display was created by Clearr Corporation, 3750 Williston Road, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
This Miller Lite Sign was created from a combination of plastic and PVC. Polyplastic Forms specializes in 3-dimensional signs, letters and logos, using a variety of materials such as wood, foam or metal to meet specific needs. All signs are custom made to specifications. For more information, contact Polyplastic Forms Inc., 49 Gazza Blvd., Farmingdale, NY 11735.
This eleven foot square Pepsi sphere enhanced with fiber optics, was placed in a sports venue to enhance brand identity. The cabinet is made of metal and the face is Alpolic with a Gregory Vinyl laser print mural. There are 14,006 individual fibers (a total of 23 miles) in the signs, which is powered by six 50 watt halogen lamps. The electricity required for this sign is less than 5 amps, making this a very energy efficient display. For more information, contact Fiberoptic Lighting Inc., 950 Southeast M Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.
Miller Brewing Company Leveraged its “Get the Goods” summer national campaign with MATRIX Display Systems photo beach towel banners. The towel banner was used for endcaps in supermarkets and on-premise signage. In addition it was offered to consumers through an on-line auction. There were two banners produced for the program; one for use nationally and one was customized for the Texas market. For more information, contact 3-Strikes Custom Design, 25 Crescent Street, Stamford, CT 06906.
Pepperidge Farm Corrugated Display
This display is an existing, yet successful display unit re-engineered with new features. The cost for the new unit is reduced; display components are reduced; speed and ease of set up is improved and the unit is designed to hold three cases of Goldfish 2 oz. product with a reduced foot print. The three piece flexographic print direct to corrugated is buyer-friendly. The easy set-up creates in-store excitement and captures consumer attention by targeting children and parents. The unit provides 360 degree shoppability and allows for easy product replenishment and product accessibility. The display departs form the boxy look and creates a fun, uniquely shaped unit with colorful graphics. The Pepperidge Farm Corrugated Display was created by Smurfit-Stone Display Group, 2900 Sprouse Drive, Richmond, VA 23231.
Two-Sided Locker Display
This display was designed to provide a unique way to showcase the "FREE Britney Spear Locker Poster". The display was also required to be simple to set up, sturdy and able to ship UPS. This full litho laminated corrugated display features PETG pockets that each hold 250 locker posters of Britney Spears. The display shipping carton is under the UPS 107" limit for regular shipment. The litho labels were printed on 77" offset press to provide full litho coverage giving the display a consistent high end appearance. A structural locking feature was used to form the locker which created a solid display with a finished look. The Two-Sided Locker Display was created by Meridian Display, 162 York Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55117.
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