Staples Unveils Online Business Solutions Centers In Its Stores
Staples is installing in-store Business Solutions Centers that merge the online “clicks” of Staples.com with the “bricks and mortar” world of its stores. The Centers give a store the ability to offer more than 100,000 products not found on the shelves, to sell business services to customers, to give store associates an online sales tool and to give the company an easy way to manage the in-store special order process.
“Our Business Solutions Centers are the ultimate in bricks-and-clicks retailing,” said Thomas Stemberg, Staples CEO. “We are transforming our business by bringing the online world to our store shoppers.”
The Business Solutions Centers are red-and-blue kiosk computer stations with Staples.com and other interactive features that are installed in pilot stores across the U.S. Each pilot store includes five or more access points to the Centers, some facing the customer and some facing sales associates.
Avon Plans ‘Store-Within-Store’ Program
Avon Products has announced plans to develop a “store-within-a-store” strategy at both J.C. Penney and Sears stores in the second half of 2001. The strategy is intended to enable Avon to access new customers that the company is not currently reaching, according to Andrea Jung, Avon’s President and CEO. “While direct selling will always be our principal sales channel, expanding access to new customers will help accelerate top-line growth.”
The products to be sold in the store-within-a-store would be a completely different product line from the one sold by Avon’s direct sales representatives.
Hain Celestial And H.J. Heinz Develop New Market Opportunities
The Hain Celestial Group and H.J. Heinz have launched initiatives that leverage their strategic partnership Joe Jimenez, President, Heinz N.A., said, “We identified Hain Celestial as a sophisticated partner that could facilitate Heinz’s entry into natural foods.”
The firm’s will market co-branded, non-dairy beverage products under the new Health Valley Great Awakenings brand name, which will roll-out to grocery and mass market channels nationally. This will be the first new product entry for Heinz in the booming soy-based beverage market.
Gateway Country Stores Aim To Change America’s Relationship With Technology
Gateway Inc. has launched a massive, grass roots initiative to help consumers and businesses get more real-world use and less frustration out of technology. The company’s Gateway Country stores will conduct a community-by-community effort to teach people how to get more out of their PC with new offerings including: free weekly clinics in all Gateway Country stores, “Ask-a-Tech” sessions in all stores, training classes, Gateway Technology Ambassadors conducting free mobile clinics, and in-store advice sessions.
“We think it’s overdue that someone in the technology industry take the time to show people how technology advancements can benefit them,” said Jeff Weitzen, Gateway CEO. “So we’re launching a comprehensive initiative to do just that, with our Gateway Country stores serving as technology community centers and providing a range of training options.”
Hollywood Video Opens Library Of Free Movies
Hollywood Video is opening its doors to a new library of hundreds of free kids rental titles, available to families with kids of all ages. The new library features children’s-oriented titles from studios and networks including Disney, Fox, Jim Henson, Nickelodeon and Paramount. Hollywood Video is making these free titles available to all customers, on a first-come-first-serve basis, for their customary five-day rental. Customers are allowed one free rental at a time with no purchase necessary.
“Family entertainment has always been a cornerstone for our business,” said Jeff Yapp, President and COO, Hollywood Entertainment Corporation. “We’re a family-oriented retailer and we strive to contribute in some significant way to our local communities.”
ExxonMobil To Launch New Convenience Store Offering
Exxon Mobil has launched a state-of-the-art convenience store available to Exxon and Mobil service stations. The new On The Run is designed to meet rising consumer expectations for fast service and fresh quality products.
“Our new convenience store is clearly an outgrowth of the synergies the Exxon Mobil merger brings and will help us sustain our leadership in the global motor fuels retailing market,” said Hal Cramer, President, ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Co.
The Exxon and Mobil On The Run stores will be as large as 4,000 sq. ft. and offer a wide variety of products, including an On The Run Cafe, with such full and self-service offerings as sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, breakfast sandwiches and fresh produce.
Pepsi And Yahoo! Launch Joint Promo.
Pepsi-Cola and Yahoo! have launched an under-the-cap program enabling consumers to earn merchandise and online awards and discounts by purchasing specially marked 20-ounce and 1-liter packages of Pepsi products.
Consumers can choose video games from EA; compact discs from Sam Goody; DVD titles from Columbia TriStar Home Video; autographed movie memorabilia from Sony Pictures and discounts through Yahoo! In addition, PepsiStuff.com includes offers from Alloy Online, Foot Locker, Gift Certificates.com, and Kinko’s. “This is the largest single-serve promotion we’ve ever done, involving more than 1.5 billion packages and nearly 80,000 retail outlets,” said Dawn Hudson, Sr. V.P., Strategy & Marketing, Pepsi-Cola.
General Growth Properties &IBM To Deploy Interactive Kiosks At Malls
General Growth Properties has joined forces with IBM to create interactive media stations called MallibuDirect at GGP malls.
The launch of MallibuDirect allows GGP to feature service businesses and dot-com companies whose products are not typically found in the current retail tenant mix at the mall. MallibuDirect comprises six computer workstations with high-resolution touch-tone screens located throughout the malls. Each workstation will host 12 online companies and include access to GGP’s Mallibu.com site. Plasma screens and back-lit displays for brand messaging and product features are also included on the kiosks. Art.com, AutoMallRewards.com, Kozyhome.com, Hirelink.com and ehobbies.com are among the dot-com companies that will be featured at GGP’s interactive kiosks.
Palisades Center Mall Signs GeePS To Provide Wireless Technologies
GeePS.com Inc. has been selected by Palisades Center shopping mall to test new mobile commerce technologies through the wireless delivery of targeted, local shopping information and news to shoppers. Retailers’ messages and special offers will be delivered to consumers’ cell phones and PDAs on an opt-in basis only.
“We’re happy to have our customers be among the first to use their cell phones to receive specially targeted messages from merchants of their choice,” said John Mott, Palisades Center General Manager. Andy Goren, GeePS, CEO, said, “Palisades Center is leading retailers into the future by offering location-sensitive wireless technologies.”
Unique Wildlife Artistry Displays Set Cabela’s New Store Apart
Cabela’s new 225,000-sq. ft. store, which recently opened in Dundee, MI, features museum-like dioramas, sculptures and wild game trophies. “Our stores are an educational center and a monument to wildlife,” said Tim Holland, Cabela’s Director of Retail and Development.
Visitors are first greeted by the world’s largest bronze wildlife sculpture created by artist and former Buffalo Bill’’s defensive lineman, Mike Hamby. The store also displays two museum-quality dioramas of animals in action in their native habitat. The store’s centerpiece is a 40-foot-tall, two-story mountain with running waterfalls, 60-foot streams, and a trout pond. A 65,000-gallon, walk-through aquarium stocked with freshwater fish contains interactive kiosks that identify each species and explain its characteristics.
Nike ACG Shops To Open In Intrawest
Nike All Conditions Gear (ACG) has formed a strategic partnership with Intrawest Corp. that promises to grow the Nike ACG brand presence by leveraging Intrawest’s strong retail base.
A four year plan will introduce Nike ACG’s outdoor athletic footwear and apparel lines to ten leading year round Intrawest resorts in both the U.S. and Canada. The plan includes opening three ACG shop in shops in three Mountain Adventure Centers as well as to open 20 ACG “focus” areas in several additional retail environments. The retail spaces promise to speak to the ACG consumer, the mountain enthusiast, further positioning the brand for growth as it opens its own standalone stores in the U.S. and Canada.
Desert Passage Debuts Transcontinental Travel Adventure In Heart Of Las Vegas
Touted as North America’s first ever shopping adventure, the Desert Passage, newly opened in the heart of Las Vegas, brings to life the romantic Spice Routes, the striking diversities of the peoples, colors and geometry of regions like Fez, Casablanca and Bombay. The 500,000 square foot destination is located directly across the street from the Bellagio, next door to the new Paris and surrounding the new Aladdin Resort & Casino.
Desert Passage takes travelers on a journey which recreates the experience of travel through some of the world’s most exotic market cities along the ancient spice routes with compelling authenticity and immersive experiences. Desert Passage is a development of TrizecHahn Development Corporation
Disney And Hasbro Announce Long-Term Corporate Alliance
The Walt Disney Co. and Hasbro Inc. have announced a broad multi-year corporate alliance encompassing the licensing of Disney film and television properties, and an array of creative initiatives at Disney’s theme parks and resorts.
Hasbro will have the right to develop and market toys and games associated with upcoming Disney-branded film properties, beginning with Monsters, Inc., a Disney/Pixar animated feature film scheduled for release in fall 2001. In addition, Hasbro will become the Official Toy and Game Company for Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.
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