BP Amoco Unveils New Global Brand And Radical Update Of Retail Sites
BP Amoco has unveiled a new global brand and convenience store called BP Connect, that will ease consumers’ busy lives with in-store Internet kiosks for maps and directions, speed payment options, and online access at the pump.
BP Connect shops will have a modern, energetic look, using BP’s colors; green symbolizing environmental responsibility and yellow, in the image of the sun. The design of the store enhances this new retail offering. Wide, open aisles are easy to walk around and the consumer-friendly layout makes products easy to find and reach. Large plate-glass windows let consumers see products from the outside.
Outside, the pumps offer further innovative features; access to quick online services and a striking, streamlined design. Consumers can pay without cash or a credit card, using ‘touch and go’ screens. Consumers can use an on-screen menu to select a made-to-order sandwich or pastry, which will be ready when they’ve finished filling their tank. A solar canopy will keep consumers out of the elements at the pumps and allow daylight through to create a bright and secure atmosphere.
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.
Interactive Retail Kiosk To Market Cover Girl Cosmetics At Malls
The Cover Girl Live Zone has been brought to consumers at the White Marsh Mall in Baltimore, MD, by specialty retailer Contempo Casuals. The Cover Girl Live Zone offers consumers an internet kiosk to provide personalized beauty information. Through a special camera, participants will be able to send their photo over the Internet to a consultant who will educate them on the right make-up colors and proper application. In addition, unique features called “vision mail,” and “e-mail a friend,” will be accessible at the kiosk.
The Cover Girl Live Zone provides Procter & Gamble with a testing ground for new marketing ideas. It offers the first Cover Girl product tester bars in the U.S., allowing opportunities to try products before buying. The retail area also features “Shade Central,” a 3-foot merchandising unit with seasonal products and additional interactive devices. Current fashions and accessories from Contempo Casuals are also featured in the Cover Girl Live Zone.
The Cover Girl Live Zone is a test concept designed to help Cover Girl better relate to the teen consumer in one of their favorite gathering places - the mall.
AOL & Target Announce Alliance
America Online and Target Stores have formed a strategic alliance; Target.com will become the premier retailer across several AOL brands and AOL will become Target’s preferred online service. The agreement contains expansive cross-marketing arrangements that will combine significant off-line co-branding campaigns and in-store offerings with extensive online initiatives.
According to Bob Pittman, President and COO, America Online, “We are pleased to join Target in a unique alliance that will offer AOL products and services to Target’s millions of loyal guests, while bringing the ability to easily find Target’s great selection of goods and serices to the millions of users of our interactive brands. Our relationship with Target is a significant step in extending our retail presence and providing new shopping opportunities to our users.”
Toys ‘R’ Us To Build New Flagship Store
Toys “R” Us has announced plans to build its new flagship toy store in New York’s Times Square. Scheduled to open in 2001, the Company describes the store as destined to be one of the largest volume toy stores in the world.
John Eyler, CEO, Toys “R” Us, said, “Guests visiting our store will find the most phenomenal selection of toys in the most fantastic setting imaginable.”
A 60-foot high Ferris Wheel visible from the street will greet customers as they walk in the store. The store will also feature translucent windows, a life-size dollhouse and a kid-friendly cafe, as well as three levels of toys presented in a way that virtually brings them to life.
“We expect this location to serve as a focal point for major toy launches,” said Eyler. “This flagship store is another example of our commitment to offering a shopping experience that no one else in our industry can match.”
Nike & Trek Announce Licensing Program
Nike ACG and Trek Bicycles have announced a partnership whereby Trek will become Nike ACG’s official licensee maker of its performance cycling footwear and apparel. This partnership enables Nike ACG to deliver authentic, high performance cycling gear, with the Nike ACG stamp of sport performance quality, through Trek’s dealer network.
“This is a great opportunity for Trek,” said John Burke, President of Trek Bicycles. “It allows us to work with one of the best brands in the world and gives us access to R and D, sourcing, technology and design. It gives us the ability to offer a world class line of shoes and clothing to our retailers.”
L.L. Bean Extends Its Retail Presence Outside Of Maine For The First Time
L.L. Bean has launched its first major retail venture outside the state of Maine at the Tysons Corner Center in McLean, VA.
The two-level 76,000 sq. ft. space features a 16-foot waterfall that feeds into a live trout pond on the store’s lower level. Other highlights include an interactive children’s climbing wall, a stone hiking ramp, and a stone stairway reminiscent of those in a national park.
Orvis New York Flagship Store Opens
The Orvis Co. is bringing its rich sporting heritage to midtown New York with the opening of its newest flagship store. The store will be filled with classic men’s and women’s country fashions, gifts for the home, and a large selection of Orvis fly-fishing rods and reels. Orvis New York will also feature rugged outerwear for fly-fishing and upland bird hunting.
Shoppers entering the store are quickly immersed in the company’s rich 144-year history. The expansive design is reminiscent of an old Adirondack lodge with high ceilings, light pine woodwork and cherry fixtures. Interior decorations are accented by antique fishing gear and memorabilia, offset by historic wall photos. The store will offer a wide range of services for outdoor enthusiasts, including free “how to” seminars; fly-fishing schools; guided fly-fishing trips; and outfitting service.
Customers seeking top-notch sporting vacations will be aided by a special interactive kiosk featuring Orvis-endorsed lodges, guides, outfitters, expeditions and the Orvis Travel program.
Carnival’s First Mall ‘Vacation Store’ Opens
Carnival Cruise Lines recently opened its first Vacation Store at the Arlington mall near Dallas, TX. The new “retail island” represents a bold new concept in vacation marketing and is designed to provide consumers with a convenient way to learn about the “Fun Ship.”
With cruising capturing only 2% of the overall leisure travel market, Carnival has taken this innovative sales initiative to reach out to new consumers and expand the market.
The Carnival Vacation Stores, which were designed by Everett, WA-based DesignLine, feature a sleek, modern layout. In addition to helpful sales associates, the store features interactive computer terminals offering 360-degree “virtual tours.”
New Retail Concepts For Salt Lake Airport
HMSHost Corp., has been awarded a contract to develop 13 distinctive specialty retail concepts at Salt Lake City International Airport. HMSHost’s “streetscape” design theme links together the 13 distinctive store concepts in a harmonious style and features architectural elements such as burnished aluminum overhead structures and graphically enhanced colonnades. The design plan creates the impression of in-line stores in open concourse spaces while preserving the sight lines of the airport and mountains beyond.
Travelers shopping can choose from popular retail concepts such as Lids, Wilsons-The Leather Experts, and Fossil.
Joe Boxer Stores Open In Outlet Malls
Boxer Holdings, Inc., in conjunction with MOST LLC, are opening Joe Boxer stores in outlet malls. Nicholas Graham, CEO, Joe Boxer, said, “The stores will offer everything JOE BOXER makes in a Martha Stewart Meets Pee Wee Herman environment!” This is the first time the entire JOE BOXER product offering will be available under one roof. JOE BOXER’s signature sense of theatre and humor will adorn the in-store environment. At the cash wrap desks, a digital ticker tape will flash electronic messages. A giant mobile of brand icons will float above the selling floor. A toilet, bathtub and sink will humorously showcase JOE BOXER Home Accessories. Brand messages will appear on the walls pertaining to each department i.e., Kids Rule! and POS materials will be animated.
Good Guys & Tower Records Announce New In-Store Concept
Good Guys, Inc., and Tower Records have announced plans to open “Tower 2” concept stores in two Good Guys locations in Las Vegas, NV. Tower Records will license approximately 3,000 square feet in each of two Good Guys stores and sell a broad selection of music and entertainment software, highlighting digital formats such as DVD-Video and DVD-Audio. The “Tower 2” locations will operate independently of Good Guys.
Currently, Good Guys and Tower Records jointly operate five WOW! Multimedia Superstores, including one in Las Vegas. With the addition of the “Tower 2” stores, all three Good Guys locations in Las Vegas will feature Tower’s music and entertainment software.
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