‘RadioShack Cool Things’ At Blockbuster
Blockbuster and RadioShack have launched the “RadioShack Cool Things” store-within-a-store in 120 Blockbuster stores in four initial markets. “RadioShack Cool Things” marks another step in our mission to transform Blockbuster stores into complete home entertainment destinations and positions us to leverage our customer traffic and increase profitability," said John Antioco, CEO of Blockbuster. Leonard Roberts, CEO of RadioShack said, “The 'RadioShack Cool Things’ stores at Blockbuster bring top quality electronics products and an educated sales force to serve customers in a whole new way. Our presence in Blockbuster allows us to reach a new customer base of women and young shoppers who are shopping more frequently than the typical RadioShack customer.”
The “RadioShack Cool Things” store features interactive displays that allow customers to experience products.
American Express Launches Blue For Music Smart-Chip Based Loyalty Program At Virgin
American Express has launched Blue for Music, expanding the functionality of Blue's smart chip at Virgin Megastores. Blue for Music provides Blue customers with 30% off on featured artists’ CDs at Virgin; Concert benefits at SFX Amphitheaters; and a Web site at americanexpress.com/bluemusic, where Cardmembers can enjoy music-related content including exclusive MP-3 downloads and artist features. “American Express is committed to ‘evolving’ Blue and adding new and innovative functionality to the Card and its smart chip,” said Kathy Marryat, V.P., Blue Product Management, American Express.
The program will include significant American Express presence at all U.S. Virgin Megastores, including Blue-branded aisle displays, listening stations and Blue-branded bin cards.
The Blue for Music CD offer at Virgin, represents a step forward for American Express in the development of smart cards. Blue from American Express, Blue for Business for small business customers and Blue for Students, are traditional magnetic-striped credit cards equipped with a smart chip that stores a unique digital certificate for Cardmember identification. Point of sale terminals that incorporate smart card readers will be used to activate the CD offer for featured CDs.
CVS Launches Healthy Women Program
CVS/pharmacy has introduced “Healthy Women,” an in-store program available exclusively at CVS/pharmacy locations. The centerpiece of the Healthy Women program is a one-stop comprehensive store display offering health information and products that spotlight important health and wellness concerns that affect women. Health information available at the uniquely branded Healthy Women display is prepared in conjunction with the Partnership for Women's Health at Columbia University.
Introducing a new health theme every two months, based on topics such as breast health and stress management, Healthy Women will debut at 1,900 CVS/pharmacy retail outlets.
“This significant program exemplifies our commitment to serving our customers by helping them identify their greatest health and wellness concerns,” said Helena Foulkes, CVS/pharmacy V.P. Marketing.
Gravity Games World Planned For Toys ‘R’ Us
emap usa has announced plans to develop an entire Gravity Games World within Toys ‘R’ Us stores featuring an exclusive line of Gravity Games merchandise including bikes, pogos, trampolines, extreme sports action figure toys and youth electronics.
The Gravity Games World within Toys “R” Us stores will be timed to coincide with the back-to-school selling season. The eight-day emap USA’s Gravity Games event revolves around a variety of action sports competitions, including bicycle stunts, inline skating, skateboarding, street luge, and wakeboarding.
“This is an ideal brand to attract more tweens and teenagers to our Toys “R” Us stores,” said Fred Fortier, V.P., Toys “R” Us.
“We expect the Gravity Games to be a powerful brand at retail,” said Karen Cahill, Director, Retail Development, emap usa. “The concept has proven to be successful as an event and a TV program, and our Toys “R” Us partnership takes it to a whole new playing field.”
Apple To Open 25 Retail Stores In 2001
Apple announced plans to open 25 retail stores across the U.S. in 2001. “The Apple stores offer an amazing new way to buy a computer,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Customers can now experience the things they can actually do with a computer, like make movies, burn custom music CDs, and publish their digital photos on a personal website.”
The Apple store is organized into sections to make it easy for both first time and computer savvy customers: Products- “Home” and “Pro” sections offer customers the opportunity to explore the full selection of Macintosh computers. Solutions-Four separate sections allow customers to explore the latest digital lifestyle solutions. Genius Bar-Where everyone is invited to ask the Mac “genius” questions, or receive service. Theater-Where customers can watch demonstrations on the store’s 10-foot screen. Software and Etc.-Containing printers, scanners, cables, and other accessories.
Tower Records Store Features Global Music
Tower Records has opened its World Music store in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Through the availability of instant listening devices, multicultural focus and live performances, customers will be introduced to a myriad of musical styles from across the globe. Towers’ World Music emporium occupies over 5,000 sq. ft., with an inventory of over 50,000 pieces.
The store’s atmosphere is one of global celebration. Ethnically rich music plays throughout the store, which is filled with international flags and memorabilia.
“We chose this category of music because of the great interest from our customers in other cultures and musical styles,” said Russ Solomon, Chairman of Tower Records.
First ING DIRECT Café Opens
ING DIRECT has opened the ING DIRECT Café in New York City, where guests can enjoy a coffee or other beverage while considering the benefits of a high yield, no minimum, no fee Orange Saving Account; Orange CDs; or low-interest Orange Loans.
Computer terminals are available for customers to open an account online, check their account status or move funds via the ING DIRECT web site. Customers can surf the Internet for free, get information about bank products from the Café staff, and select from a wide range of ING DIRECT merchandise.
“We want people to experience banking that is as easy as having a cup of coffee,” said Arkadi Kuhlmann, ING DIRECT's CEO.
Dollar Travel Center Kiosks Debut At Key Airport Locations
Dollar Rent A Car, Tulsa, OK, has introduced the “Dollar Travel Center,” an interactive kiosk providing helpful travel information for its customers at major airports. The kiosks are conveniently located at the Dollar pickup and return areas at each airport.
By using the kiosk, customers can make air, hotel and Dollar car rental reservations; obtain U.S. weather forecasts, driving directions and event information; access personal Web-based e-mail accounts, as well as receive free Internet access and view the top headline news of the day. “The Dollar Travel Center interactive kiosk will provide our customers with easy access to the online information they seek,” said Charlie Coniglio, Dollar V.P., e-Commerce.
Dollar partnered with the Official Kiosk Group, Inc. (OKG), based in Miami, FL, to create the Dollar Travel Center.
McDonald’s Opens First McCafe In U.S.
Consumers in Chicago, IL can now enjoy a wide selection of gourmet coffees, teas, pastries and desserts, at the new McDonald’s McCafe. Items are served on fine china with stainless steel flatware for dine-in customers. All menu items also will be available for carry-out.
The ambiance at McCafe is designed for comfort and includes leather couches, chairs, and bistro style tables as seating with vintage French posters, lace curtains and mahogany and granite accents decorating the space.
“We are aggressively looking for ways to grow our business under The Golden Arches, and McCafe gives customers another reason to visit McDonald’s,” said Alan Feldman, President, McDonald’s USA.
McCafe was first introduced in Australia in 1993 and has become a successful enterprise in 17 countries. All McCafes are within or adjacent to existing full-service traditional McDonald’s restaurants.
Compaq & Starbucks Coffee Join To Create Wireless Customer Experience
Compaq Computer and Starbucks Coffee Co., have announced a five-year strategic relationship in which Compaq was named Starbucks preferred information technology infrastructure provider for its retail stores.
In the future, Starbucks customers will be able to enjoy their favorite coffee beverages while accessing broadband content and services through innovative Compaq wireless devices such as the hot-selling iPAQ Pocket PC.
“This agreement allows us to take advantage of Compaq’s expertise to achieve our goals of improved store operations and customer enhancements,” said Darren Huston, Sr. V.P. , New Ventures at Starbucks.
Princess Ships To Launch AOL Cafes
Princess Cruises plans to launch the first sea-going AOL Internet Cafes aboard Princess Cruises’ fleet of worldwide ships. The AOL Internet Cafes hosted by Princess are the first major shipboard initiative to come from an alliance between P&O Princess Cruises and America Online and also marks the first time that any cruise company has introduced branded Internet centers at sea.
The new cafes will offer state-of-the-art computer stations for surfing the Internet and accessing email. The Cafes will also offer full business capabilities including fax machines, printers and photocopy machines. Ray Oglethorpe, President, America Online. said, “These new sea-going Internet Cafes will provide members access to AOL’s easy-to-use online features, content and services.”
QVC @ The Mall Opens Flagship Store
QVC @ The Mall, a subsidiary of e-commerce leader QVC, Inc., plans to open a unique flagship store with broadcasting capabilities at Mall of America.
QVC @ The Mall will continue to offer customers a unique shopping experience where they can see, touch and purchase much of the same merchandise they can acquire through QVC's television program or through iQVC, QVC's e-commerce site. With broadcasting studios integrated into a unique store design, QVC @ The Mall will produce live television shows directly from its new retail location.
Maureen Bausch, V.P., Marketing, Mall of America, said, “QVC @ The Mall brings our visitors the unique experience of live television combined with the thrill of a great shopping experience.”
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