Auction It Today on ebay Introduces ‘Store-In-Store’ Kiosk
Auction it Today, an online-auction franchise, has introduced the first, stand-alone kiosk and the only ebay drop-off-store franchise currently using this kiosk service.
“The kiosk service enables every kind of business, even in the most remote areas, to quickly and easily bring in new revenues on an international basis, without having to purchase inventory,” said John Hoose, Auction It Today Founder and President.
Business owners receive personalized training, software and equipment from Auction it Today. In less than two weeks, they can use the kiosk service to sell merchandise on ebay that is currently in their retail store, wholesale products and drop-off items from the public.
Motorola Unveils Destination Q On Chicago’s Magnificent Mile
Motorola is opening a pop-up retail location, dubbed Destination Q, on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. Destination Q gives consumers an exclusive opportunity to experience the Motorola brand brought to life through in-depth, customized and hands-on experiences with its game-changing product line led by the new Motorola Q.
“Motorola stretches the boundaries with innovative products and cool experiences that delight and surprise,” said Ron Garriques, President, Mobile Devices, Motorola. “Destination Q is the first in a series of experiential locations we will bring to consumers, giving them an ‘all-access pass’ to the Motorola brand and its products.”
Taking advantage of a historic marquee location in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile, Destination Q will transform the former Terra Museum into a real-life manifestation of the Motorola brand. Adding to the interactive experience, guests can sample a variety of content including video, Internet updates and music at the innovative Moto Q bar. In the Moto Q lounge, guests can sit back and soak in the high energy of Destination Q. Guests may also purchase a Motorola Q as well as other Motorola products.
Apple Launches Free Computer Take-Back Program
Apple recently launched its free computer take-back program, offering U.S. customers environmentally friendly recycling of their old computer when they buy a new Mac.
The Apple Store and Apple retail stores will give U.S. customers the option of recycling their unwanted PCs, regardless of the manufacturer. Apple also offers a free iPod recycling program through its U.S. retail stores, providing environmentally friendly disposal of any unwanted iPod and a 10% discount on the purchase of a new iPod.
CompUSA Sells Items On eBay For Las Vegas Customers
CompUSA has launched the eBay selling program in its Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada stores. Area consumers and businesses wanting to sell items on eBay, but not wanting to hassle with the selling process, have an easier solution by having CompUSA manage it for them.
Customers can monitor their sales online from their own home or office. Once their item sells, customers can choose to redeem their sales profits in cash or CompUSA gift cards. If customers choose cash, they receive 70% of the first $500 of the sale and 80% of any additional earnings, or they can receive 80% of the entire sale in CompUSA gift cards.
“We are always trying to help our customers unleash the power of technology, and while eBay is a great technology solution for businesses and consumers alike, it’s often a hassle when it comes to effectively managing the selling process,” said Larry Mondry, President and CEO of CompUSA. “We’re in a unique position to simplify this for our customers and at the same time extend their buying power at local CompUSA stores.”
Paiva Debuts Women’s Athletic Boutique
The Finish Line recently debuted Paiva, a premium athletic specialty store that will deliver an upscale shopping experience for active women who demand an elevated level of service and style.
The chain will be primarily mall-based and target women who may engage in athletic activities such as running, fitness/dance, yoga and Pilates, along with seasonal sports including tennis and swimming. Premium brands incorporated into Paiva stores include adidas by Stella McCartney, Nike, Puma, Fila, Under Armour, Speedo and private label apparel called Paiva Essentials.
The inspiration of the store focuses around light and energy as Paiva means sun diety or “of the light.” The Paiva store is luxurious, yet simple. Designed with the female customer in mind, the store environment includes bamboo floors, mobile wall units and fitting rooms, which are easily accessible for strollers.
Gap Launches ‘Rock Color’ Campaign
Gap’s new Rock Color summer marketing campaign recalls the summer of 1969, the year the Company was founded. Rock Color infuses music and bold colors through every campaign element. The campaign features a pop-up store in the form of a retro-inspired traveling bus and an in-store promotion offering customers the chance to win summer concert tickets.
Gap’s Rock Color Bus will bring Gap stores to summer hot spots in the shape of a late '60's styled school bus. The bus was transformed into a pop-up store by building in shelves and installing a cash register near the driver’s seat.
“The summer of 1969 is part of the visual inspiration for each element of this campaign,” said Kyle Andrew, V.P., Gap Marketing. “Our Rock Color Bus Tour and Summer Concerts will evoke the fun and freedom of summer while enabling us to connect with our customers on a personal level.”
Kraft Runs Multi-brand Summer Campaign
Three trusted summertime brands-Kraft Mayonnaise, Kraft Salad Dressings and Kraft Barbecue Sauce-have teamed up for an integrated promotion to show how easy it is to Kraft: everyday meals into extraordinary ones.
“This campaign enables us to showcase multiple Kraft products with a contemporary, creative approach,” said Peter Nowlan, Kraft V.P., Marketing. “We want to encourage consumers to express their ingenuity in the kitchen by giving them inspirational ideas.”
Retailers will feature campaign signage, special offers and meal idea cards. Produce stickers will feature Kraft Salad Dressings, while floor graphics will showcase Kraft Barbecue Sauce.
Lay’s & Kodak Run Summer Promotion
Lay’s potato chips and Eastman Kodak have teamed up to “Capture The Smiles of Summer” by offering free photo stickers with Lay’s potato chips. Consumers can redeem codes found on Lay’s potato chips and receive 12 free photo stickers from Kodak Easyshare Gallery, an online photo service. Consumers may also enter to instantly win one of 150,000 Kodak prizes, such as a Kodak Easyshare V530 digital camera or free Photo Mugs and Photo Books The promotion will be supported with online advertising and point-of-sale displays.
“The Capture the Smiles of Summer promotion will introduce millions of Lays customers to the Kodak Easyshare Gallery,” said David Rich, V.P. Marketing, Kodak Easyshare Gallery. Jeff Swearingen, V.P., Shopper Marketing, Frito-Lay, said, “Lay’s and Kodak Easyshare Gallery are turning good times with family and friends into great memories.”
Levitz Showcases New Store Design
Levitz Furniture, a leading specialty retailer of furniture, bedding and home furnishings, is opening newly renovated stores across the country, starting with a 53,000 square-foot store in Staten Island, NY.
The new store, which boasts 25% more space than its other tri-state area locations, offers customers even more ways to experience Levitz’s brands and value prices including the addition of a Schandig Gallery and a Levitz Kids Store.
The new stores will feature an expanded selection of furniture and bedding; the convenience of wider aisles; better lighting; and more accessible customer service centers.
New Era Cap Opens Flagship Store In NYC
New Era Cap Co. has opened its first flagship store in New York City, featuring the broadest selection of New Era headwear in the world. “Opening New Era: New York presents us with the opportunity to develop a direct relationship with our consumers, while showcasing the great cross section of headwear we make, giving us the ability to satisfy a large audience,” said Sid Dey, New Era’s Director of Retail.
The look of New Era: New York, a 2,000 sq. ft. boutique space, was developed by Jager Di Paola Kemp Design, Burlington, VT, with final design executions by architectural firm TPG. The boutique has a distinguished look, a unique departure from traditional headwear stores, featuring exposed brick, maple hardwood floors, custom cabinetry and iron cast, floor inlays of the company’s logo and the famed visor sticker found on the New Era 59FIFTY, the company’s signature fitted baseball cap.
HarperCollins Publishing & Sutter Home Run Joint Promotion
HarperCollins has partnered with Sutter Home Winery to create the perfect pairing: a glass of wine and a good book, whether they're enjoyed curled up on a couch or in the company of a book club.
Since spring, Sutter Home has been featuring a different Harper paperback title on its Web site each month, as well as reading group guides, recipes and wine and food pairings inspired by the book. In addition, HarperCollins placed neck hangers on two million bottles of Sutter Home wine, offering $3.00 off HarperCollins books.
PepsiCo Ties In With Warner Bros.’
'Superman Returns'
PepsiCo recently partnered with Warner Bros. to promote “Superman Returns” as the film’s official food and beverage partner. Ralph Santana, V.P., Marketplace Development, Pepsi-Cola, said, “This alliance has allowed us to bring our consumers closer to one of the biggest movies of the summer.”
Pepsi is offering a $1 million reward to the winner of the national “Capture Lex and Win” sweepstakes. To play, consumers enter codes found on packages of Pepsi products at www.dailyplanet.com. Thousands will learn the whereabouts of Lex Luthor and win: an EA Superman Returns video game, a Superman Returns toy from Mattel or a $10 cash reward. Each code entry also enters the consumer into the $1 millionGrand Prize drawing.
Mountain Dew Arctic Burst and Mountain Dew Kryptonite Ice flavored Slurpee drinks will be available in limited-edition Superman returns cups at 7-ELEVEN stores. Pepsi Superman Returns interactive displays will be featured at retailers throughout the country.
Subway Restaurants Roll Out New ‘Fit’ Meals
The Subway restaurant chain is introducing new “fit” menu items across the state of California, as part of a major initiative to reverse the obesity epidemic there. The meals comprise a California Fit adult meal and Fit Kids’ Pak consisting of a low-fat sandwich and “fit” sides such as apples, raisins and low fat milk.
Subway restaurants will also unveil a new advertising campaign, which will speak to the community about today's rising obesity concerns and the new California Fit program as a delicious alternative to typical high fat, high calorie fast food fare.
All Subway restaurants in California will feature signs with the new products. The “fit” items will be highlighted with an apple-shaped icon allowing customers to easily identify and order the “better-for-you” options.
CPK/ASAP Opens In Culver City, CA
California Pizza Kitchen has opened a CPK/ASAP fast-casual restaurant in Culver City, CA, perfectly designed for customers "on-the-go." With a menu featuring a specialized selection of items from the full-service restaurant as well as an extensive line of fresh and hot Panini sandwiches and soups, the restaurant provides customers with a fast, convenient way to experience CPK's creative California-style cuisine.
While the CPK/ASAP has ample seating inside for those looking to dine-in, the new restaurant also has a specific Take-Out counter intended to facilitate the process for guests wanting to take their food to go. A newly designed interior features soft tones and warm yellows, with large flat screen televisions for those looking to grab a seat at the counter. Its menu will not only include a variety of CPK's most popular hearth-baked pizzas, salads and appetizers, it will also feature 12 sandwiches and three soups that are unique to CPK/ASAP.
American Girl Place Opens West Coast Retail Experience
American Girl Place Los Angeles recently opened at The Grove, southern California's renowned shopping destination. The experiential retail experience includes shopping for the American Girl dolls, books and accessories; dining in the American Girl Café and seeing a live musical in the American Girl Theater.
Girls will also delight in the Character Boutiques that bring to life the worlds of American Girl’s beloved historical heroines. Girls can explore the unique display alcoves that showcase each character's entire product line, or learn what life was like for their favorite characters through Peek into the Past historical vitrines.
“American Girl Place Los Angeles provides a special place where girls can share unforgettable experiences with their families and friends,” said Ellen Brothers, President of American Girl.
Embassy Suites & Build-A-Bear Workshop
Team Up For Summer Travel Fun
Families and kids traveling with their Build-A-Bear Workshop stuffed animals this summer will now have a place for their furry friends to sleep when they purchase a Build-A-Bear Workshop Sleep Over Pack as part of the Build-A-Bear Workshop promotion at Embassy Suites Hotels.
Guests who book the promotion will receive a Build-A-Bear Workshop themed premium at check-in featuring everything a traveling bear might need for a night away from home including a bear-sized Embassy Suites sleeping bag, dental kit, Embassy Suites Tiny Tees shirt and $5 Bear Buck$ gift card to use at a Build-A-Bear Workshop.
“Embassy Suites Hotels, like Build-A-Bear Workshop, provides outstanding guest experiences and caters to families’ travel needs,” said Maine Clark, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop.
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