Wireless Retail & BJ’s Wholesale Club Announce Merchandising Agreement
Wireless Retail Inc. has announced an agreement with BJ’s Wholesale Club, to sell wireless phones, satellite television and broadband services at all BJ’s Wholesale Clubs. Wireless Retail will provide a “turnkey” store-in-a-store program, utilizing an innovative, open store fixture.
“Wireless Retail has demonstrated a successful track record for providing superior customer service, easy access to the nation’s leading carriers and service providers and the best designed store fixtures,” said Michael Wedge, President of BJ’s.
To facilitate customer interaction, Wireless Retail partnered with Design Forum to develop the store-within-a-store prototype fixture. Unlike traditional in-store kiosks with counters and enclosed display cabinets that separate a customer from the sales person and the merchandise, this “mini” store features open access and product displays that encourage customers to interact with the sales consultants.
Pepsi Offers Consumers A Chance To ‘Play For A Billion’
Pepsi-Cola is offering consumers a chance to “Play for a Billion” live nationally on The WB TV Network. Pepsi has joined forces with AOL and The WB Network to produce a live TV show in which a contestant will have the chance to win $1 billion. The show guarantees a $1 million winner who will then have the chance to win $1 billion. There is a one in 1000 chance that the $1 billion will be awarded. The show, set to air in September, will be the culmination of Pepsi’s “Play for a Billion” summer promotion.
The 1,000 contestants on the show will be selected through the Pepsi “Play for a Billion” sweepstakes. TV advertising and point-of-purchase materials will support the promotion, which was created by TLP, Wilton, CT.
“We’re out to spark excitement with big ideas and big activities,” said Dave Burwick, Chief Marketing Officer of Pepsi-Cola N.A.
Virgin Entertainment Group Spearheads A Save-the-Single Movement
Virgin Entertainment Group is spearheading a movement to reintroduce the Single to music fans. “The Single format holds an appeal for a wide breadth of music consumers,” said Dave Alder, V.P., Product & Marketing, Virgin Entertainment Group. “Because of its low price point, the Single gives younger customers an affordable way to start buying music.”
To revive sales of Singles, Virgin has pledged considerable physical space in all of its 23 Megastores. Virgin is conducting one of the first large-scale Singles promotions that the industry has seen in years. Virgin’s Save the Single nationwide promotion allows customers to buy 2 Singles for $10, from a wide selection of over 70 new, catalogue, and import titles.
Virgin will continue to support the format through maintaining a dedicated Singles department in every store.
DreamWorks Signs Promotional Partners For ‘Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas’
Baskin-Robbins, Burger King, General Mills, Hewlett Packard, M&M’S Brand, and Speedway SuperAmerica have signed up as promotional partners to tie in with DreamWorks’ “Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas.” The “Sinbad” promotional campaign will be prominently featured in over 50,000 retail locations this summer.
Burger King restaurants will offer a four-week kids meal program, featuring “Sinbad” collectible premiums. Baskin-Robbins is offering exclusive flavors and themed products such as the Deep Blue Menace Sundae and Sinbad’s Triple Punch Sherbet. The promotion will be supported with a national TV campaign and extensive in-store signage.
General Mills is featuring “Sinbad” on millions of packages of Big G Cereals, Totinos, and Pop Secret and is supporting the promotion with in-store p.o.s. materials. In theatres around the nation, M&M’S will support “Sinbad” with a value pack promotion.
Speedway SuperAmerica convenience stores will offer an exclusive “Sinbad” cup and will highlight the offer with in-store signage.
Sears Announces Changes In Appliance In-Store Shopping Experience
Sears, Roebuck & Co. is making major changes in its appliance business.
Sears has reconfigured how appliances are presented on the sales floor, and is testing three layouts: An expanded value center, with value product grouped in one area of the department; A “good”, “better,” “best” presentation of appliances; and appliances organized from “good” to “better” to “best” by brand.
Sears has also improved signage to continue to give consumers the best possible shopping experience.
Office Depot Rolls Out Ink Depot
Office Depot has launched the Ink Depot, an initiative to provide the best shopping experience for customers wishing to purchase ink, toner and fax supplies.
Dave D'Arezzo, Exec.V.P., Merchandising and Replenishment for Office Depot, said that the Ink Depots, a corralled shop at the front of each store, will present the industry’s most extensive product lineup.
The Ink Depot will feature a web-enabled reference/finder kiosk and its own free-standing register. A cartridge recycling area will offer customers a free ream of Office Depot’s EnviroCopy recycled paper when they return used ink and toner cartridges.
Office Depot's launch will be supported by cohesive marketing programs that cross multiple channels and media, including radio, newspaper, direct mail, inserts, ROP, email and store signage.
“The campaign will promote Office Depot as the best destination for ink, toner and fax supplies,” D'Arezzo said.
Fleet Rolling Out Online Banking & Investing Station
Fleet recently developed the Online Banking and Investing Station in response to growing consumer and small business demand for innovative methods to access banking and investment accounts.
The Online Banking and Investing Station provides fast access to Fleet’s online offerings including Fleet HomeLink with investment services for personal banking and investing, and Fleet OfficeLink for small business banking. Using the station, customers can bank online, pay bills, print statements, research banking, investment and insurance products, and conduct online trades.
Fleet currently has 46 Banking and Investing Stations at 25 locations and expects to add more than a dozen locations by year-end.
M&M’s Branded Vending Program Now Incorporates e-Port
Masterfoods USA is incorporating the e-Port cashless payment system from USA Technologies, Wayne, PA, into its M&M’S branded snackfood and ice cream vending machines.
“After installation of the e-Port into the M&M'S vending machines, there was an immediate increase in sales from credit card transactions,” said George Jensen, CEO, USA Technologies. “Credit and debit card sales now account for 15% to 20 % of total sales Additionally, we saw that the average credit card purchase amount was more than 50% higher than the average cash purchases.”
“We tested the e-Port for several months and quickly saw a significant uplift in snackfood and ice cream products through our vending machines,” said Kira Schneider, Sr. Vend Account Manager of Masterfoods USA.
Home Depot Conducts Do-It-Herself Workshops
The Home Depot is launching its first-ever Do-It-Herself Workshops to assist the growing number of female home improvement enthusiasts. The clinics will help women learn how to use power tools, build a patio, and install outdoor lighting. The clinics reflect the growing desire by American women for more knowledge and hands-on training in home repair.
According to a new opinion poll conducted for Home Depot by Roper ASW, nearly three-quarters of American women ages 25 to 49 expressed more confidence in their ability to do home improvement projects today than five years ago. While slightly more than half of women ages 25 to 49 would like to learn more about choosing paint, wallpaper and window treatments, a larger percentage, 69 percent expressed an interest in improving their general home maintenance skills.
“Do-It-Herself Workshops are part of our long-term commitment to be more than a store to our customers who are seeking answers and inspiration,” said John Costello, Chief Marketing Officer for The Home Depot.
Smarthome Opens Home Automation Store
Smarthome, Inc., a leading provider of home automation products has opened its first home automation retail store. The store allows consumers to experiment with products prior to purchase and see first-hand how easy home automation product installation can be.
“Smarthome’s retail store will show how inexpensive and easy it is to install home automation products, and how convenient life can be with these products integrated in the home,” said Matt Dean, V.P. Marketing for Smarthome.
Gadzooks Launches Strategic Change
Gadzooks, Inc., a specialty retailer of clothing and accessories for teenagers, today announced plans to reinvent its well known brand by focusing exclusively on apparel and accessories for females. The conversion to an all-female assortment will strengthen the specialty retailer's ability to effectively compete in a single niche of the market.
"For years Gadzooks has been the store for both males and females to shop for the brands they like best," said Jerry Szczepanski, Gadzooks’, CEO. “With all of the competitive changes over the past few years, it is imperative that we now make our specialty store even more 'special' and dedicate all our square footage to fully serve our female customer.”
Gadzooks employed FRCH Design Worldwide, and The Richards Group, to spearhead the rebranding effort.
Faded Glory & Frito Lay Team Up For Salsa Spirit Event
Faded Glory recently introduced its ladies’ Salsa Spirit Collection, featuring south-of-the-border style reflected in gypsy tops, crochet sweaters, and cotton shift dresses in a fiesta of colors such as tangelo, turquoise, and red. Special retail events supported the launch.
While Faded Glory spiced up the racks in the ladies’ apparel department, customers could sample salsa-related snacks from Frito-Lay while dancing in the aisles! Frito-Lay sampled Doritos Salsa Flavored Tortilla Chips and Tostitos Southwestern Salsa Party Bowls. Salsa music played and a selection of Latin music was offered in a display called “The Passion of Music, the Style of Salsa Spirit! ” Special in-store signage also supported the promotion.
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