‘McDonald’s With Diner Inside’ Debuts
McDonald’s has unveiled a test concept, McDonald’s with the Diner Inside, featuring two restaurant experiences under one roof.
Located in Kokomo, Indiana, McDonald’s with the Diner Inside will offer the traditional McDonald’s experience with the same fun, fast-paced service McDonald’s customers appreciate. Additionally, customers at the test restaurant will now have the option of dining at their own pace while enjoying table service and great Classic American diner favorites or McDonald’s traditional menu items.
“McDonald’s with the Diner Inside is a test that fits into our overall strategy to capture more meal occasions,” said Alan Feldman, U.S. President, McDonald’s. “We’re always looking for new opportunities. McDonald’s with the Diner Inside offers us a chance to assess our customers’ reaction to a new McDonald’s experience.”
Blockbuster & RadioShack Form Alliance
Blockbuster and RadioShack have announced an alliance that will introduce a RadioShack store-within-a-store concept inside Blockbuster locations. The intent is to create a full-service home entertainment destination within Blockbuster, while increasing RadioShack’s reach to more consumers.
“This alliance brings Blockbuster, the leading home-entertainment brand, together with the leading brand in consumer electronics to benefit our customers by giving them neighborhood, one-stop shopping for the best selection of entertainment and electronic products and services,” said John Antioco, CEO of Blockbuster. “Having a retail presence in as many of the 5,000 Blockbuster stores opens up a new distribution channel for RadioShack, creating an enormous opportunity for accelerated growth,” said Leonard Roberts, CEO of RadioShack. “Our alliance with Blockbuster provides us access to more than 3 million Blockbuster customers each day, including more women and young adults, while using a capital efficient way to expand our square footage and distribution network.”
The size of the RadioShack merchandising area will vary depending on the size of Blockbuster’s stores, but will range from 600-sq. ft. sections to kiosks. RadioShack’s highly trained sales associates will manage the stores within Blockbuster.
Kmart Brings Back BlueLight Special
Kmart has announced the return of its BlueLight Special, a new marketing initiative designed to create in-store excitement, reward loyal customers and attract new shoppers. Kmart is bringing back the American retail icon both in its stores and online as the first of several programs that will fall under the BlueLight brand.
Conducted daily in all of Kmart’s 2,109 stores, BlueLight Specials will offer savings in every department. Shoppers will never know which products will be BlueLight Specials, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation when the celebrated phrase “Attention Kmart Shoppers” is called out in stores or appears on computer screens online. In stores, BlueLight Special merchandise will be displayed for a limited time in BlueLight Special Zones. Located near the middle of a store, BlueLight Special Zones will be immediately recognizable with suspended canopies, flashing blue lights and music. Kmart stores and the online shopping site will feature different products, encouraging consumers to visit both.
“The BlueLight Special and the phrase, ‘Attention Kmart Shoppers,’ have become part of American pop culture,” said Brent Willis, Chief Marketing Officer for Kmart. “We are taking the heritage that the BlueLight Special represents for consumers across the country and re-purposing it for a new market and mindset.”
Coca-Cola & P&G Announce New Venture
Coca-Cola Co. and Procter & Gamble have formed a stand-alone enterprise focused on marketing innovative juices, juice-based beverages and snacks on a global basis. The new company combines Coca-Cola’s worldwide distribution, merchandising and marketing prowess and P&G’s research and development capabilities.
Don Short, a 24-year Coca-Cola veteran, named CEO of the new company, said, “We will combine global brands, tremendous talent from both companies, a dynamic mindset that will infuse our products, an entrepreneurial corporate culture, and best-in-class innovation, marketing and distribution capabilities to meet consumer needs.”
Berger Funds’ Opens Investor Center In Partnership With Major Shopping Mall
Berger Funds, a Denver, CO-based mutual fund company, has unveiled a new concept in accessible investing with the opening of its interactive investor center at Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
Designed by Communication Arts of Boulder, CO, the interactive investor center has a stock ticker, two flat screen HDTVs and two investor information stations staffed by trained investor services representatives.
“We want to make it as easy and convenient as possible for people to do business with us,” said Jack Thompson, Berger CEO. “Our investor center in Cherry Creek is a unique way to accomplish that for our investors.”
E*TRADE Opens Flagship Super-Store
E*TRADE Group has opened E*TRADE Center in New York City, a financial services super-store designed to give consumers value added financial services and educational content in a high-tech, high-touch setting. E*TRADE marks the next phase of the Company’s physical presence approach, which includes its E*TRADE Zones concept to be rolled out in 20 new locations, and its network of 10,000 E*TRADE Bank ATMs.
Over 30,000 sq. ft., E*TRADE Center provides visitors with the ability to make financial transactions, participate in seminars, interact with financial service associates, purchase items at the E*TRADE gift store and dine in the Mangia Cafe. The Center also contains a full service production studio where E*TRADE broadcasts financial news.
Michael Sievert, Chief Marketing Officer, E*TRADE, said, “Whether attending an educational seminar or consulting with an E*TRADE representative, E*TRADE Center is a premier physical touch point designed to deliver a richer E*TRADE experience.”
Mars Music Upgrades Brand Image
Mars Music recently retained BrandEquity International, Newton, MA, to help upgrade its brand image. BrandEquity International designed the unique new Mars Music Brandmark and coordinated it into the entire Mars Music operation—from the external appearance of its superstores, to its interior identity and design.
As you enter the store, the new Mars identity is utilized as important decor elements from the big “M” mark on the floor to the departmental signing—to graphically differentiating departments from “band and orchestra” to “learning center” to “Guitars.” At the entrance of Mars Music, musical notes surround the customer, and eye level entry points feature the Mars diamond in orbit. The departmental identity is clearly communicated with the Mars identity, creating an integral identification system.
Trans World Entertainment Unveils ‘fye’
Trans World Entertainment Corp., a specialty retailer of music and video products, has announced plans to re-brand the Company’s 730 mall-based stores and its web site under a single, unified brand, fye (for your entertainment). For the first time, customers nationwide will enjoy a consistent shopping experience in every store and in every channel. The enhanced brand experience will include industry-leading product sampling and selection tools.
“As we spoke to our customers, one of our existing brand names continually rose to the top—fye,” said Robert Higgins, Trans World CEO. “It communicates who we are today and our vision for the future, which involves a more individualized customer approach in a multi-channel total entertainment environment that draws on the latest technologies.”
Sears Opens “Tool Territory” Nationwide
Sears, Roebuck and Co. is introducing “Tool Territory,” which offers Craftsman and 72 other brands, as well as tool experts and interactive displays, in a customer-friendly environment. Tool Territory departments average about 10,000 sq. ft. and feature 18,000 tools in all. Special sections are devoted to carpentry, woodworking, mechanics, and general-purpose tools, as well as specialty power tools for lawn/garden use.
“Sears goal is to be the tool authority—America’s complete tool store,” said George Kurkowski Sears Marketing Manager for Tool Territory. “But, we also want Tool Territory to be a fun place to shop. Staffed by friendly and knowledgeable associates, we provide an attractive, well-organized shopping environment.” Tool Territory’s ad campaign highlights the fun and interactive features of the new tool department—calling it a “playground for men.”
Verizon Opens Kiosks At Car Washes
Verizon Wireless, San Diego, CA’s largest wireless carrier, has opened retail kiosks at car wash locations in Carmel Valley and Encinitas, enabling customers to check out the latest cellular phones, wireless voice, data and messaging services, and hands-free calling accessories while they wait.
“Our customer base is rapidly expanding in San Diego and it makes sense for Verizon Wireless to provide the latest wireless products and services at convenient, accessible locations, where customers typically have 15 minutes to browse,” said Mike Finley, Regional President, Verizon Wireless, the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S.
Starbucks Offers Complimentary Coffee Grounds For Composting
To help get gardens off to a healthy start this year, Starbucks Coffee Co. has offered customers complimentary spent coffee grounds for their garden.
“Coffee grounds can be a valuable source of nutrition for the garden,” said Ben Packard, Environmental Affairs Manager for Starbucks. “At Starbucks, we strive to find innovative and creative ways to positively contribute to a healthier environment. Reusing coffee grounds in the garden is a great way to avoid disposing of this rich resource from our stores.”
Grounds are packaged in reused coffee bags and sealed with the Starbucks Coffee Grounds Compost sticker.
Ford Unveils Blue Oval Certified Program
Ford has unveiled its marketing plan for Blue Oval Certified, its most comprehensive customer satisfaction program to date, and “Commitment to Kids,” a nationwide child identification effort to keep kids safe.
The plan incorporates national television, print, interactive advertising and public service announcements featuring actress Jamie Lee Curtis.
Ford Blue Oval helps ensure that customers receive a best-in-class retail experience at Ford dealerships. Ford has adapted a non-fiction, documentary-style approach that urges people to “Come On In” and see how Blue Oval Certification has improved the dealership experience.
Since launching the program, Ford customers have indicated that they are more satisfied with their dealer experiences.
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