Pfaltzgraff, a leading manufacturer of casual dinnerware and accessories for the home, offers a large number of patterns, each with a varying number of pieces. One of Pfaltzgraff's goals is to offer consumers the most complete line of accessories for its dinnerware patterns. The Company wanted a kiosk to provide a tool to store staff that would allow them to easily help customers browse through the myriads of patterns and stylebooks. Pfaltzgraff also wanted the ability to access their Web-based gift registry system from the kiosk.
Livewire, a -based kiosk manufacturer, implemented a hybrid online kiosk application that leveraged Pfaltzgraff's existing E-commerce Web site to provide "virtual inventory" ordering capability to customers and salespeople in the stores. This virtual inventory system ensures that a customer will never be turned away from a purchase because their item is not in stock at a particular store.
First-Ever Chevy Showcase Retail Store To Open At King Of Prussia Mall
Kravco Simon Company, developer and manager of King Of Prussia Mall and General Motors' Chevrolet division have formed a marketing alliance that will bring a unique retail concept-ChevyShowcase-to King of Prussia Mall.
The ChevyShowcase store will feature five to six Chevrolet vehicles, from the Tahoe sport-utility vehicle to the 400-horsepower SSR sport roadster. Staffed by a team of Chevrolet specialists, this unique concept will allow Chevrolet to showcase its vehicles to a broad audience of customers.
"The driving concept behind our ChevyShowcase retail store is to show consumers the wide variety of Chevrolet products designed to fit every lifestyle," said Dave Klemm, Regional Marketing Manager for Chevrolet in the Northeast. "The partnership with King of Prussia Mall gives Chevrolet a premier marketing venue to attract new customers who might not know about our great new cars, truck and SUVs. Our existing customers will get a chance to see the latest updates to their favorite vehicles."
Other elements of the deal include vehicle displays positioned at key locations in the mall outside Philadelphia; Chevrolet-produced events throughout the year; strategic signage and promotional materials throughout the mall; on-site test drive opportunities; and sponsorship of King of Prussia's Santa and Easter Bunny displays.
"Our newly established alliance with Chevrolet. 'An American Revolution,' is revolutionary in and of itself, allowing an iconic American brand the opportunity to partner with a dominant shopping destination to utilize a non-traditional venue as the platform to execute exciting initiatives for its current and potential customers," concluded Clint Cochran, Vice President of Management, Kravco Simon Company.
Source 1 Ideal Store Program Provides Consistent Brand Image
The Ideal Store Program from Source 1, the aftermarket division of York International Unitary Products Group, provides heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) parts distributors with a common look to promote and consistently merchandise the Source 1 offering for the Luxaire, Coleman and York equipment lines.
The Ideal Store Program includes point-of-purchase materials, lighted displays and signage, as well as shelving plan-o-grams to help participating distributors move parts off the warehouse floor and onto well-merchandised store shelves. The program is designed to easily and cost effectively put distributors in the parts business with a professional store appearance and parts offering.
"We wanted to dramatically separate and elevate our parts business from competitive original equipment manufacturer parts distributors, with both a merchandising package and parts offering that represented best in class in the industry," said Renae Turnbaugh, Source 1 Marketing Manager. "The Ideal Store builds a consistent brand image for Source 1 and simultaneously gives our distributors more reasons to buy all their parts through our buying group."
OfficeMax New Store Design Highlights Small- And Home-Office Solutions
OfficeMax has unveiled a new store prototype replacing the industry-standard warehouse format with an engaging, colorful environment that highlights small- and home-office solutions. The first prototype has opened in Macedonia, Ohio, with many more opening across the country shortly.
As customers enter the new store prototype, a central technology "hub" creates a striking focal point. Whimsical photographic banners direct shoppers to their destinations, and a community area called OfficeMax Café allows customers to check e-mail, sip coffee or catch up on the news. One of the newest areas is OfficeMax Ink, Filling Station, a refillable ink cartridge kiosk. This computerized program evaluates the condition of a cartridge, fills it, and runs it through a print test. Other new features are brightly colored bulk bins that make it possible for customers to purchase only as much as they need. The store's central hub helps customers immediately orient themselves and improved sight lines make other shopping categories visible from across the store. Soft lighting, a soothing color palette of golds, oranges, greens and blues and rich textures create a residential, boutique feel.
"The new design truly differentiates OfficeMax," said Ryan Vero, OfficeMax Chief Merchandising Officer. "Warehouse stores were primarily about convenience without style. The new store brings together convenience and style with a warm, inviting atmosphere that re-captures the simple fun of shopping for office products."
OfficeMax partnered with Envirosell, a research firm specializing in consumer shopping and FRCH Design Worldwide to help create the new store format.
Sam's Club & EnviroSmart Launch Pilot Recycling Program
Sam's Club and EnviroSmart, the world's largest inkjet and laser toner cartridge recycler, are teaming up to make recycling easier and more cost effective for consumers. Customers are now able to drop off their used inkjet and laser toner cartridges, as well as their old cell phones and batteries, at convenient kiosks inside select Sam's Club locations.
Eleven Sam's Club locations in Alabama, Arkansas, California and Missouri are participating in the program. For those who forgot to bring in their materials, the kiosks will offer postage-paid envelopes, so customers can mail in their empty inkjet cartridges from home for free. EnviroSmart also recycles the printer cartridges, which keeps them from ending up in landfills. "Every year, hundreds of millions of empty printer cartridges are tossed in the trash when they could easily be recycled, remanufactured and reused," said George Skivington, President, EnviroSmart. "Customers can now recycle their empty cartridges when they shop for office supplies at Sam's Club. It's a simple, convenient solution that's easy for consumers and helps protect the environment."
Coca-Cola Launches Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke & Black Cherry Vanilla Coke
Coca-Cola is introducing Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke and Black Cheery Vanilla Coke in January 2006. "Cherry flavored beverages are experiencing significant growth as are no calorie soft drinks," said Katie Bayne, Senior Vice President, Coca-Cola. "Our innovative fusion of real cola, luscious black cherry and smooth vanilla flavors creates a taste that is complex and delicious." Diet Cherry Coke and Cherry Coke will not be affected by this introduction.
Turtle Wax Ice Car Polish Offers Exceptional Shine & Durability
Turtle Wax Inc. has introduced Turtle Wax Ice Synthetic Car Polish. Unlike traditional car polish, Turtle Wax Ice is a clear liquid that wipes on-and-off the exterior of a car with minimal effort while producing exceptional shine and protection. Turtle Wax Ice is a completely new technology formulated to deliver exceptional shine and durability and will be sold at retailers and automotive specialty stores across the U.S.
Dentyne Ice Wild Winter & Avalanche Mint Flavors Introduced
Cadbury Adams has added two wintergreen flavors to its Dentyne line: new Dentyne Ice Wild Winter soft chew gum and Dentyne Ice Avalanche Mint pellet gum. Dentyne Ice Wild Winter is the first flavor expansion in the Dentyne soft chew gum product lineup, and joins Dentyne Ice Cool Frost and Dentyne Fire Cinnamon Spice. New Dentyne Ice Avalanche Mint offers fans of Dentyne Ice sugar free pellets an exciting new way to go bold. The blended wintergreen flavor is the sixth mint flavor to join the Dentyne Ice pellet gum gamily.
"New additions to the Dentyne flavor lineup means more choices for our on-the-go consumers who are always looking for something new and exciting," said Vicky Lozano, Vice President of marketing, Gum Portfolio.
W2O Water Designed To Meet The Needs Of Women
Double A Beverage, LLC is a woman owned company that has developed a "value added" water specifically targeted and uniquely designed to meet the needs of women. W2O is water, vitamins, natural flavors and the highest quality natural sweetener. W20 is formulated for women on the go who sometimes lack important nutrients to keep them healthy. W20 is available in Cran-Apple Waltz, Orange Tango and Tropical Samba flavors.
New Soldius1 Is First Solar Power Source For iPods
The new Soldius1 Universal Solar Charger for iPods and other mobile devices is designed for anyone who uses their iPod while on the move and needs an easy, portable, fast energy source. Relying purely on solar power, the Soldius1 charges the iPod mini, iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle and over 250 mobile phone models. The Soldius1 is the first device of its kind to fully charge iPods and mobile phones without the need for an intermediary battery or an out-of-the-box charge and is available from mysoldius.
Hershey Names A. Panayiotou V.P., Innovation & Strategy, Snacks
The Hershey Company has named Andrew Panayiotou Vice President, Innovation and Strategy, Snacks. Panayiotou will report to Michele Buck, Senior Vice President, President U.S. Snacks and will lead Hershey's efforts to identify and develop future growth platforms and fill the new product pipeline. Panayiotou most recently built an independent marketing consulting practice and prior to his, worked at Eastman Kodak, where he led Innovation and New Products Marketing for the entire consumer division. Before this, he was at Dr Pepper/Seven Up, where he helped lead the turnaround of Canada Dry, and Johnson & Johnson, where he led brand marketing efforts for ACUVUE contact lenses.
Del Taco Names S. Fogg Mktg. V.P.
Del Taco, an operator and franchisor of 445 Mexican quick-service restaurants throughout the U.S., has tapped Sharon Fogg as its new Vice President of Marketing. Fogg most recently was Senior Vice President at an international promotions agency and prior to this, held senior level marketing positions for Hardee's Food Systems and Burger King.
Kyocera Mita Announces Mktg. Appointments
Kyocera Mita America, one of the world's leading document imaging companies, appointed Peter Hendrick, formerly Director of Marketing Communications, to Vice President of Marketing. Dan Butler, previously Marketing Communications Manager, is now Associate Director of Marketing Communications. Butler worked closely with Hendrick on the revitalization of the Kyocera brand.
Kronos Foods, one of the nation's leading manufacturers of gyros meat, pita bread and other Greek foods and specialty food service distributor, has appointed Alan Willner to the newly created position of Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.
Previously, he was Vice President of Marketing at Pabst Brewing. Before that, he was Vice President, Customer and Brand Marketing for Diageo Beverages. Willner also held marketing management roles at Spectra Marketing Systems, Coors Brewing and Nabisco.
Dimensions Displays Moves
Dimensions Displays, a supplier of banner display systems, is moving to a new building in order to grow its business and provide better client service. The new location is 220 Royal Crest Court, Unit 17, Markham, ON, Canada L3R 9Y2; (Tel) 905-307-2202, (Fax) 905-307-2204. Its toll free number 1-866-D4 STAND and Web site www.D4displays.com will remain the same.
Four Winds Offers Interactive Media Station
Four Winds Interactive offers its Interactive Media Station (IMS) and Overhead Play digital signage solution, designed to enable shoppers to fully evaluate media products prior to purchasing. The IMS allows shoppers (via touch screen and barcode scanning interaction) to preview music, games and video content with DVD-quality graphics and superior sound. The system helps create an interactive shopping experience that's fun, effective and better than shopping for media online. For more information on the Interactive Media Station, contact Four Winds Interactive, 6355 Joyce Drive, Arvada, CO 80403; (Tel) 720-890-8000, (Fax) 720-890-8008, (Web site) www.fourwindsinteractive.com
Trion Offers Clear Scan Labeling Systems
Trion Industries, Inc. offers Clear Scan labeling systems, which allows the use of plain paper labels storewide, dramatically reducing label stock costs. Clear Scan Shelf Edge Labeling options include: Flip-up Label Holders-flexible living hinge allows the holder to swing up, out of the way for easier product access; Spill-proof Bottom Load-Labels and promo tags insert form bottom, held by built-in friction clip. Closed top protects from spills and shelf cleaning; Freezer Capable Labeling-No bleeding ink, wet unstuck labels. Plain paper labels drop right in, protected by clear window; Built-in Sign clips-Eliminate the need for separate clips, insert your sales message on 8-10 pt. stock instantly for a quick, cost-effective signage program; and Universal Bottom Mount-Fits both C-channel and wire shelving for added installation flexibility. For more information on Clear Scan labeling systems, contact Trion Industries, Inc., 297 Laird Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702-6997; (Tel) 800-444-4665, 570-824-1000, (Fax) 570-823-4080,
(Web site) www.triononline.com
Mark Bric Offers SnapUp Line
The Mark Bric SnapUp-MP line of pop-up displays includes a wide range of choices in traditional backwalls, cylindrical display towers and now the new pop-up counter featured here. The portable pop-up counter features a classy wooden counter top. Three wooden literature shelves, is ideal for use with fabric or graphic panels, comes in a self contained carry case and sets up in five minutes. For more information, contact Mark Bric Display Corporation, 4740 Chudoba Parkway, Prince George, VA 23875; (Tel) 800-742-6275, 804-862-4655, (Web site) www.markbric.com
POP Screens are Introduced
POP-Screens are a new media concept using dynamic images to attract and motivate greater sales activity by increasing the virtual retail space. POP-Screens with dynamic, vibrant images show the advantage of rear projection in daylight conditions. The picture is projected onto a specially formulated rear projection surface of the screen, creating a bright, sharp message or promotion to the viewer. The use of dynamic imagery projected onto the state-of-the-art POP-Screens, combine to present the most extensive and competitive range of digital projection screens available on the market today. Applications include large electronic media advertising, flying screens in shop windows or shopping centers, and public information signage in railway stations, airports and shopping malls. For more information, visit (Web site) www.popscreens.com
