Wal-Mart Introduces Neighborhood Market Design In New Tulsa Store
Wal-Mart has opened its newly designed store in Tulsa, OK based on its Neighborhood Market concept. With 112 stores already operating across the U.S., the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market is the Company's youngest store concept, providing consumers the Wal-Mart value in a smaller, convenient "neighborhood" store format. The concept brings grocery, pharmacy and health and beauty together in a convenient, customer-friendly experience. Wal-Mart plans to open 15 to 20 new Neighborhood Market stores over the next year.
The most dramatically noticeable changes are within the new grocery and health and beauty areas. As Wal-Mart continues to bring consumers more healthy choices in food, such as increased selections in organics and produce, the grocery area in the Neighborhood Market now features a new layout that highlight these efforts and accentuates freshness. The new bakery has a fresh, "warm" feel next to the new streamlined deli area and fresh produce is placed along vertical fruit baskets. Throughout the store, architects and designers added earth-toned colors with natural woods that define each store department that creates a "store within a store" feel. Along with the wood trim, photography highlights selections and departments in the store among different décor and signage. The overall look is clean sand simple.
"Our health and beauty department has probably undergone the most dramatic change within the store," said Pam Kohn, Senior Vice President and leader of Neighborhood Markets. "We want our female customers to feel this is a place in their store created especially for them."
With concave fixtures, wider aisles and new towers that can display the latest trends in health and beauty, the redesign creates a more personal experience for the shopper, who may need time to study new products and consider their purchase. Signage and product placement work together to help customers better identify selections. This 39,000-square-foot store also features a full line of groceries including bakery goods, organics, frozen food, meat and dairy products, fresh produce and a deli featuring a wide selection of freshly prepared foods. General merchandise includes toiletries, household cleaning and paper hoods, stationery, pet products and hardware items. The store also features a 30-minute photo lab for film processing while they shop and a drive-through pharmacy open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Suunto Rolls Out Interactive Watch Display
Suunto manufactures a broad line of technically advanced wrist computers for outdoor enthusiasts. In order to assist customers in choosing the right watch for their particular sport or activity, Suunto had a point of purchase display created to house an interactive touch screen and sample watches.
Concept Designs, a Palo Alto, CA-based point-of-purchase display firm, designed a strongly branded interactive display that could be used either on a counter top or on steel pedestals. The touch screen for the display was provided by Morgan Hill, CA-based Digital View and programmed by Flashpoint, a Park City, UT-based marketing communications agency. Concept Designs' task was to consolidate the various pieces-screen, sample watches, acrylic watch stands, printed brochures and a pedestal.
Concept Designs conceived a metal and acrylic housing that encloses up to 9 sample watches on acrylic watch holders. The acrylic "hood" is hinged at the back to allow easy access by the retailer. It is locked to the base to prevent pilferage. The back of the case permits the insertion of interchangeable graphics, which further customizes the display. The bezel has the Suunto logo silk screened on it and a "relief map" backer to underscore Suunto's outdoor roots. A simple acrylic brochure holder mounts to the backer and dispenses product literature.
An initial run of 250 displays was completed and retailer response has been enthusiastic. Retailers appreciate that the interactive touch screen serves as a valuable "silent salesperson" and de-mystifies Suunto's product line. The display itself offers flexibility, durability, security and a small footprint, while maximizing visual appeal and product information.
AT&T Launches Re-Branding Campaign To Incorporate Cingular Wireless Name
AT&T has launched a re-branding campaign transitioning the Cingular wireless name into the iconic AT&T brand.
"Around the world, our customers recognize the AT&T brand for meaningful innovation, a commitment to customer service, high quality and reliability," said Edward Whitacre Jr., Chairman and CEO of AT&T. "AT&T, BellSouth and Cingular are now one company, and going forward under one brand is the right thing to do."
Each transition campaign element will conclude with the Cingular and AT&T logos coming together. The campaign will kick off with several creative executions called "Raising It Higher," which morphs Cingular's familiar "raising the bar" logo with the AT&T globe. Approximately 2,000 nationwide company-owned wireless retail outlets and store kiosks will be transitioned with AT&T-branded signage. Parallel with its re-branding efforts, AT&T is creating an in-store "emerging media experience" where consumers can experience products and services before they purchase. Trained consultants will help customers learn about a range of AT&T wireline services that they can bundle with their wireless services and order AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet service as well.
Macy's has teamed up with Millennium Hotels and Resorts to offer a nationwide "Macy's Millennium Shopping" package which includes exclusive amenities.
The offer includes an 11% Macy's Savings Pass, $25 gift card to shop in any Macy's store in the U.S. and one night double or single accommodations at a Millennium Hotel. Most of the hotels are situated nearby the Macy's department store in their respective cities.
New Butterfly Life 30-Minute Fitness Centers Provide More Than A Workout
Butterfly Life is a first-of-its kind 30-minute fitness franchise designed specifically for women to achieve a healthier overall body and mind. With an emphasis on the motivation and psychology behind what it takes to maintain total health, Butterfly Life provides its members with a support network and the tools necessary to help women meet their fitness and/or weight loss goals.
"Our approach to women's health is unrivaled in the industry and enhances every aspect of a woman's life, not just her weight," said Mark Golob, Company Founder and CEO. "Butterfly Life is the only fitness center with a truly holistic approach to weight loss that inspires women to achieve personal success and inner health and beauty in a completely safe, non-intimidating and non-competitive environment."
Hill's PetFit Mobile Tour To Educate About the Dangers of Overweight Pets
There are 48 million overweight or obese cats and dogs in the U.S., approximately 35% of the total pet population. To raise awareness about the danger of weight issues in pets, Hill's Pet Nutrition is launching the 2007 Hill's PetFit Mobile Tour. This interactive experience offers owners a chance to weigh their cats or dogs and receive information with specially trained PetFit experts that include certified veterinary technicians and veterinary school students.
Pet owners are encouraged to bring their dogs to get weighed and register for the 2007 Hill's PetFit Challenge when the Hill's PetFit Mobile tour rolls into their city. As cats can become frightened in new surroundings, the tour will have interactive computer programs for cat lovers to help them determine if their cat needs to lose weight. All participating pet owners will receive a sample of Hill's Science Diet Light (both dog and cat available), a pet food measuring cup and weight management tools.
Three Thieves Debuts 'Show' Wine Brand
Three Thieves has introduced a new wine brand called The Show. This bold Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend is dominated by full flavors of dried black cherries, jammy preserves and layers of spice and sweet vanilla. There are three different versions of the front label each created by the Hatch print company whose colorful designs have been a staple of the American entertainment landscape for more than 125 years. The Show retails for $14.99 and will be available nationally.
New Carpe Diem Functional Beverage Line Introduced
Carpe Diem Beverages, a new completely natural line of functional beverages and the brain child of Dietrich Mateschitz, the founder of Red Bull, has joined the AMI Brands portfolio. "Similarly to how Red Bull opened up a new beverage category around the world, Carpe Diem is meant to offer a new functional, healthier drinking experience," said Dietrich Mateschitz. "Based on the knowledge of botany and homeopathy we selected a natural blend of 25 different botanical ingredients, with a taste profile unlike any other beverage."
Carpe Diem's three Botanic Waters are made with a complex blend of 8 to 9 herbs, each offering consumers a concrete functionality: Relaxing, Vitalizing and Harmonizing. Carpe Diem Kombucha, Ginkgo and Kefir beverages contain ingredients whose health contributions have been talked about since the Tsin Dynasty in China in 221 BC.
Nintendo Launches Hotel Dusk: Room 215 For Nintendo DS
Nintendo has launched Hotel Dusk: Room 215 for Nintendo DS, an interactive "video game novel" that puts players in the middle of a mystery. It has more in common with a gritty crime novel than a video game, and appeals to mystery lovers and video game fans alike. With the launch of Hotel Dusk: Room 215, Nintendo's aim is to expand the world of video games to new audiences through creative new interfaces.
"Hotel Dusk: Room 215 could be considered a new genre for both video games and storytelling," said George Harrison, Nintendo of America's Senior Vice President of Marketing. "Just as audio books brought the printed word to a new medium, so does this new 'video game book.'"
BooKoo Beverages Raises the Bar With New Energy Juice
BooKoo Beverages has released one of the highest-juice-content energy drinks on the market. Jugo's unique formula is the fist to contain 99% juice in an energy drink. The exotic taste profile of Jugo is nutritionally rich and filled with antioxidant-rich fruits from all over the world. The "superfruit" formula consists of papaya, white grape, orange, guava and passion fruit.
New iZAP Portable Energy Adds Hours To iPod Playback Time
Advanced technology vehicle and energy pioneer ZAP has introduced a new series of lithium battery packs designed specifically to work with the iPod. Called iZAP, the battery accessories for the iPod are part of a new line of ZAP Portable Energy systems to power a wide range of mobile electronics. The iZAPs can extend listening time of the iPod by several hours.
585 Wine Partners Introduces Russian River Valley Wine Brand
585 Wine Partners is launching a new wine brand from Russian River Valley called Picket Fence. Picket Fence becomes the second wine brand in the Sonoma-based 585 Wine Partners' portfolio, joining the Red Truck Wines brand. Produced in limited amounts, Picket Fence Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are sourced from a number of Russian River vineyards with which Picket Fence Winery has dev eloped a long term agreement and will be available nationally in February.
LUNA Launches First Organic Drink Mix For Women
LUNA, the makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, has launched LUNA Elixir, the fist organic drink mix formulated specifically for the nutritional needs of women. The portable drink mix creates a new category within the LUNA brand, expanding beyond the traditional nutrition bar line. Research has shown that women are chronically under-hydrated and many times bored with drinking plain water. LUNA Elixir comes in four flavors: Orange Passionfruit, Raspberry Lychee, Dragonfruit Kiwi and Pomegranate Berry. LUNA Elixir is available nationwide and sold at Whole Foods and Wild Oats.
Frappio Light Latte Debuts
Frappio Inc. has introduced its Frappio Light Latte, a great-tasting ice coffee that has only 60 calories, 4 net carbs and 4 grams of sugar (lactose) per serving. Frappio Light Latte is the first line extension of the Frappio Latte brand.
"The latest beverage reports indicate that consumers are looking for great tasting drinks that assist in weight management and reduce hunger especially between meals," said Irene Adams, Frappio. "Our combination of caffeine and the all natural herb, ashwangandha, get the job done and ease those hunger pangs." Frappio is available nationally through 7-Eleven stores and regionally through other convenience, grocery and vending outlets.
Kellogg's Launches Rice Krispies With Real Strawberries
Kellogg's has introduced Rice Krispies with Real Strawberries on grocer's shelves nationwide. "Moms have an affinity for Rice Krispies from when they were little girls-something they now want to share with their children," said Tamara Howe, Rice Krispies Brand Manager. "Our research shows that those same girls-today's moms-are demanding more real fruit in their children's foods, while today's kids want more taste. So adding real, delicious fruit to a cereal mom has loved since she was a child was a natural fit."
New Quaker Life Chocolate Oat Crunch Cereal Targets Adults
Quaker Oats has introduced Life Chocolate Oat Crunch, a chocolate cereal for adults that is healthy too. Made with a touch of real chocolate, each serving of Life Chocolate Oat Crunch provides 2 servings of whole grains, 3 grams of fiber and 10 essential vitamins and minerals. Life Chocolate Oat Crunch is also a low fat and low saturated food.
"Consumers have told us they want a healthy cereal that also satisfies their chocolate cravings," said Regan Ebert Quaker Foods Vice President Of Marketing.
New Bazza High-Energy Tea Contains Zero Calories
Bazza High-Energy Tea, described as the first zero-calorie high-energy tea, is now available in over 5,000 7-Eleven stores across the nation. Bazza High-Energy Tea delivers as much energy per ounce as existing energy drinks, but relies solely on the naturally-occurring xanthines found in four of Bazza's natural ingredients: green tea, yerba mate, guarana, and cola nut. No pharmaceutical-grade synthetic caffeine is added. Bazza High-Energy Tea was developed by the Cooper Tea Company and is available in green tea and raspberry tea flavors.
Dell Launches First Ruggedized Notebook
Dell has introduced its Latitude ATG, a new semi-rugged notebook designed for people working in tough environments. New features protect the customers' system and data. The latitude ATG has a screen that is 1 ˝ times brighter than other corporate notebooks.
"We have heard from customers loud and clear that a tougher, highly protective notebook with a screen that is easy to see outdoors is necessary in many lines of work," aid Jeff Clarke, Senior Vice President, Dell Product Group. "We're glad that we could meet that customer request with a product distinguished by industry-leading features."
Remote Solar Charger Line Launched
ICP Solar Technologies and Coleman Products have launched the Coleman line of portable solar chargers, designed to provide backup or primary power for vehicles such as automobiles, boats, RVs and also for remote living applications. "With the increased power consumption of electronic devices in modern vehicles and homes, our portable chargers provide a simple, environmentally sound way for people to ensure the enjoyment of all their daily activities," said Sass Peress, CEO of ICP Solar.
Nike Appoints H. O'Neill To Head Global Women's Fitness
Heidi O'Neill has been appointed to head Nike's global women's fitness business. O'Neill will lead an integrated consumer-oriented focus across footwear, apparel and equipment for women's fitness as part of a new Nike category brand management strategy for core business segments. O'Neill joined Nike in 1998 as a Marketing Director for Apparel and has been instrumental in driving the growth of Nike's women's apparel business. She most recently was Vice President of U.S. Apparel.
Kenneth Cole Names K. Andrew Sr. V.P. Mktg. & Advtg.
Kenneth Cole has hired Kyle Andrew to be the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advertising. Most recently, she was the Vice President of Marketing at Gap brand, responsible for all brand communications and creative.
Best Buy Names S. Lutz Sr. V.P., Emerging Business
Best Buy has appointed Scott Lutz to the new position of Senior Vice President, Emerging Business, the strategic business unit of Best Buy, focused on increasing the Company's capabilities for innovation and growth. Lutz has more than 25 years of management experience including serving as President and COO of ConAgra's Snacks Division and being CEO of 8th Continent LLC, a General Mills-DuPont health and wellness joint venture. Lutz also has international experience, having run businesses for Procter & Gamble and General Mills in Italy and Canada.
Borders Group Appoints Exec. V.P.s Armstrong & Gruen
Borders Group has appointed Robert Gruen Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing and Kenneth Armstrong Executive Vice President of U.S. stores. Gruen has over three decades of retail experience including Target, Roses Stores, Warner Bros., Saks and Meijer stores. Most recently, Gruen was Executive Vice President of Merchandising for HSN (Home Shopping Network), which operates a number of retailing platforms. Armstrong also has more than 30 years of retail experience including the past three years as Senior Vice President and Director of Stores for Saks Department Store Group (Parisian).
Kroger Names Severin V.P. of Corporate Brands
The Kroger Co., has named Linda Severin Vice President of Corporate Brands, a new position for the company. Ms. Severin will lead the Company's Corporate Brands team. Severin joins the Company from ConAgra Foods where she served as Vice President of Marketing. She has also held leadership positions at Campbell's, Dean Foods, Sara Lee and Rand McNally.
Hunter Douglas Promoted Malone To V.P., Corporate Mktg.
Hunter Douglas, leading manufacturer of custom window fashions, has promoted Norm Malone to Vice President, Corporate Marketing Programs. Malone was previously Director of Marketing Programs. He is responsible for the development and management of all Hunter Douglas Corporate Marketing Programs, including dealer incentive, co-op and business-building programs as well as consumer promotions.
Real Digital Media Launches Neocast Z
Real Digital Media, a leading provider of net generation digital signage products for establishing point-of-purchase marketing, promotions and corporate communication networks, has introduced the newest member of the Neocast ® family of digital signage products, Neocast ® Media Player Z. The new product adds support for high definition (HD), Windows Media Video (WMV) and Apple QuickTime content, supports bitmap overlays and incorporates a more flexible zone system for partitioning content within a display screen, including support for Macromedia Flash in all zones. "Neocast ® Media Player Z is a glimpse into the future of digital signage as it embodies the convergence of emerging trends in our industry," said Michael Baron, President of Real Digital Media. "Neocast ® Media Player Z combines Real Digital Media's software technologies, innovative industrial design as well as the Microsoft Windows XP Embedded operation system and Intel ® Core ™ Duo processors into a plug-and-play appliance that's compact, reliable and incredibly feature-rich out of the box." For more information on the Neocast ® Media Player Z, visit the Real Digital Media call (Tel) 941-951-0130 or visit us at (Web site) www.realdigitalmedia.ccom
Heritage Introduces Lightweight Exhibit System
Heritage Sign & Display is featuring this lightweight, versatile kit for trade shows, including a large banner display wall, large illuminated counter and two stools. The wall is 118" wide yet remains foldable and portable with ample space to display high resolution graphics. The illuminated counter offers plenty of space for demonstrations, laptops, sales activities, etc. All the units are portable and rollup into sturdy canvas bags. For more information, contact Heritage Sign & Display, 344 Industrial Road, Nesquehoning, PA 18240; (Tel) 570-645-8701, (Fax) 570-645-2178, (Web site) www.popsigns.com
Ace Hardware Launches Dream Ace Promotion
Ace Hardware has launched the Dream Ace promotion, a nationwide contest in which Ace is helping make dreams come true by offering aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to compete to win their own Ace store, valued at $1 million. MARS Advertising of Southfield, MI, created, implemented and managed the program.
Carlson Marketing & Hawkeye Form Alliance To Offer CONDUIT
Carlson Marketing and Hawkeye/Cohesion have formed a strategic alliance to create the industry's first end-to-end suite of global channel marketing services called CONDUIT. By combining the capabilities of Carlson Marketing with the channel program design and technology services of Hawkeye/Cohesion, the two companies are able to offer fully integrated and globally deployable channel marketing services. CONDUIT helps companies more effectively manage their channel marketing investments to ensure they're maximizing profits from each channel partner. For more information, (Web site) www.CONDUITchannel.com
