Dunkin’ Donuts Opens First ‘Green’ Store
Dunkin’ Donuts has opened its first “green” store in St. Petersburg, FL. The restaurant is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified and includes other “green” initiatives such as innovative recycling programs like worm casting and food donations to the local food bank. Will Kussell, Dunkin’ Donuts President & Chief Brand Officer, said, “With the opening of our first LEED certified store we look forward to applying what we learn in this store to Dunkin’ Donuts overall, as we continue to evolve the brand.”
The St. Petersburg restaurant features numerous LEED enhancements, including: energy-efficient insulated concrete foam walls to reduce air conditioning usage by approximately 40%, energy-efficient lighting, including motion sensors for restrooms and offices, and water-efficient plumbing fixtures. Customers will notice other “green” features at the St. Petersburg location including: Recycling -- On-site Earthworm Casting facility, a collaboration between Dunkin' Donuts and local company Mother's Organics. The solar powered tank houses 80 lbs. of small red earthworms that will eat the waste produced by the store, such as coffee grounds and paper products.
Wal-Mart Announces Wind Energy Purchase
Wal-Mart Stores announced its first substantial purchase of wind energy in the U.S. The wind power will supply up to 15 percent of the retailer's total energy load in approximately 360 Texas stores and other facilities.
Kim Saylors-Laster, vice president of energy for Wal-Mart, said, “The wind power purchase will result in a significant decrease of greenhouse gas emissions and aligns perfectly with Wal-Mart’s long-term goal of being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy.”
Walgreens Opens Flagship In Times Square
Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain, has opened a flagship store in Times Square in New York on the first three levels of the legendary One Times Square building. The store will anchor a massive Walgreens billboard - the nation’s largest, most advanced digital super-sign soaring 341 feet above the street on three sides of the building.
“With more than 1.6 million passers-by and countless media impressions daily, this sign represents a tremendous opportunity to catapult Walgreens brand among the most recognizable icons in the world,” said Walgreens President & COO Greg Wasson.
The Walgreens One Times Square spectacular was designed by strategic brand consultancy Gilmore Group, New York City. “In designing the spectacular our goal was to achieve the pinnacle of urban branding,” said Arthur Gilmore, President and CEO of Gilmore Group.
ULTA Opens Its First Urban Location On Chicago’s State Street
On Chicago’s State Street ULTA has opened its newest Chicago location on State Street, which is the company's first urban location and includes 18,000 square feet of selling and salon space on four floors.
ULTA on State Street will provide ULTA’s customary high-quality shopping experience with an unparalleled selection of brand-name cosmetics, fragrances, skin and hair care products, along with a full-service, in-store salon.
“Providing great value and 21,000 beauty products all under one roof is our business -- but our passion is to provide an approachable experience that ensures women feel confident and beautiful,” said Lyn Kirby, CEO and President.
Ben & Jerry’s Launches Freezers That Minimize Impact On Global Warming
Ben & Jerry’s is introducing a cleaner, greener freezer for testing in the United States with the hope that it will eventually be approved for long-term use. The Company launched a pilot project testing hydrocarbon-based freezers which present great environmental benefits by minimizing the freezer’s impact on global warming.
“This is an important step for our business which we hope will clearly demonstrate that a more environmentally friendly refrigeration technology can work in the U.S. market,” said Walt Freese, Ben & Jerry’s CEO.
Renewable Choice Energy Launches ‘Green Your Phone’ At Best Buy Stores
Renewable Choice Energy has developed GREEN YOUR PHONE, a first-of its-kind retail product, which enables cell phone users to offset their mobile devices electricity use with wind power. GREEN YOUR PHONE allows sustainability-minded customers to support renewable energy, as the purchase supports the development of wind power projects across the U.S.
Best Buy is the first major retailer to debut this product at 1,000 stores across the nation.
GREEN YOUR PHONE is loaded with 500 kilowatt hours of certified renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset the manufacturing and use of two mobile phones for two years. The product includes two “Offset with Wind Power” decals so customers can display their purchase.
“GREEN YOUR PHONE provides our customers with a tangible way to support renewable energy,” said Scott Moore, Vice President, Marketing, Best Buy Mobile.
Burger King Opens First WHOPPER BAR
Burger King Corp. plans to introduce the world’s first WHOPPER BAR™ at Universal CityWalk in Orlando, Fla., in Spring 2009. The new concept is a condensed and more contemporary version of the typical BURGER KING® restaurant.
The company-owned and operated WHOPPER BAR™ boasts a smaller footprint, a modern look and feel and a WHOPPER® topper area to encourage customers to customize their orders. The menu will focus on the WHOPPER® sandwich and offer special renditions of the signature sandwich, such as the Angry WHOPPER®, the Western WHOPPER® and the Ultimate Double WHOPPER®.
“This striking concept is a new generation of BURGER KING restaurants,”said Russ Klein, President, Global Marketing, Burger King. “It's focused on serving the original HAVE IT YOUR WAY® burger in a forward-looking format designed for today's on-the-go burger lover.”
7-Eleven Sets Sights To Become Convenient Destination For Video Games
7-Eleven® stores are introducing a line-up of seven of the top video game titles for sale as well as one of the most comprehensive selection of prepaid gift cards for another growing gaming phenomenon - Massively Multi-player Online Games, or MMOGs.
“Video games aren’t just for kids anymore, and they’re not just sold at big box and game stores either,” said Michael Jester, 7-Eleven Category Manager, Gaming & Electronics. “We can offer consumers a more convenient place to purchase games and accessories. They can reserve their copies and pick them up starting midnight on the release date at locations closer to their homes.” Displayed next to the console games is a broad selection of online game gift cards to make virtual purchases in MMOGs.
Canadian Club® Whisky Opens Lounge At Detroit Pistons Palace Of Auburn Hills
Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., a global leader in premium spirits, and Canadian Club® Canadian whisky (CC™), one of the world's leading Canadian whiskies, unveiled a newly branded 4,000 squ. ft. Terrace at The Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the Detroit Pistons® basketball team.
The Canadian Club Terrace features imagery from the brand’s current campaign, “Damn Right Your Dad Drank It” in an open air bar and restaurant surrounding a masculine dark wood, black and silver accented CC™ themed bar. The 300-seat lounge will be open before each Pistons game for ticket holders to enjoy a buffet dinner and CC cocktails. Brian Stockard, brand manager, Canadian Club, said, “The CC Terrace will enhance the fan experience at the Palace and help basketball fans create their own memories of great games, friends and Canadian Club.”
BAWLS Guarana Partners With GameFly
BAWLS Guarana, the energy drink choice for video gamers, has launched a partnership with GameFly, the leading online video game rental service. Through this new affiliation, BAWLS will give customers a chance to try GameFly free for 30 days and GameFly users will receive substantial discounts on the purchase of BAWLS Guarana/GameFly co-branded products.
“Partnering with GameFly is a perfect fit for BAWLS Guarana,” said CEO Hoby Buppert. “GameFly's easy-to-navigate site will be a big hit among our customers, the majority of whom are avid gamers.” Sean Spector, GameFly SVP, Bus. Dev. said, “This promotion will allow us to connect with new customers via the on-pack promotion and special one month offer.”
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