Borders Books & Music Stores To Feature Seattle's Best Coffee Cafes
Over the next few years, more than 400 existing Borders cafes across the nation will be converted to Seattle’s Best Coffee cafes and will also be featured in new Borders stores as they open across the country.
“Enjoying a smooth cup of coffee while shopping at Borders is a big part of our destination shopping experience and we’re pleased to give customers in Oregon the first opportunity to enjoy it,” said Greg Josefowicz, Borders Group CEO.
Said Jim Donald, CEO, Seattle’s Best Coffee, “The opening of these cafes with Borders stores represents a great first step in the growth of the Seattle’s Best Coffee brand at retail.”
Starbucks Hosts ‘Brewer Exchange Day’
Starbucks Coffee Co. recently made it easy for consumers to replace their old coffee makers with new machines designed to make the best cup of Starbucks Coffee with its first-ever Brewer Exchange Day.
The Brewer Exchange Day provided a unique opportunity for consumers to recycle their old home brewers, and in return, receive a special gift that can be used towards the purchase of a new Starbucks coffee maker, espresso machine or any merchandise sold in Starbucks stores.
During Brewer Exchange Day, customers had the opportunity to participate in brewing demonstrations with Starbucks Coffee masters. Customers were also able to test Starbucks line of all stainless steel brewers.
Recycle America Alliance accepted home brewers brought to the event location.
Blimpie Brand Repositioning Creates Ultimate ‘Blimpie Experience’
Blimpie International is reinvigorating the Blimpie brand with a refreshed logo, contemporary restaurant design, and an updated menu featuring panini-grilled Ciabatta bread sandwiches.
The redesigned restaurant interiors were created in collaboration with Atlanta, GA-based retail design firm Miller Zell. The upscale décor includes modern, earth-tone paint and tile, wainscoting, pendant lighting and hardwood laminate flooring. Curved architectural elements simulate the look and feel of the logo throughout the interior.
“The new restaurant design reflects our theme of Real. Fresh. Taste. and complements our branding efforts,” said Mark Mears, Chief Marketing Officer, Blimpie International.
Restaurant Chains Enjoying Sales Upswing
The restaurant industry has experienced more than a year and a half of positive growth, according to The NPD Group’s SalesTrac, which tracks sales’ trends from Quick Service and Midscale chain restaurants.
The chain restaurants are taking market share from independents. According to CREST, a service of NPD Foodworld, major chain restaurants captured an additional 3% of the market between 2001 and 2004. Share for small chains was fairly stable as the loss came from independent restaurants.
Consumer demand has been driven by quick service outlets serving up new menu offerings featuring higher quality, more innovative foods, such as quality chicken products, premium burgers and main dish salads, according to Michele Schmal, V.P. of Product Management in Foodservice for NPD. “The industry is giving people more choices and making it easier to get a better variety of food at affordable prices,” said Schmal.
Asian Cuisine Increasing In Popularity
U.S. retail sales of Asian foods increased by 27.3% from 2000 to 2004 driven by a growing Asian-American population and increasingly sophisticated American palates, influencing what consumers are eating in restaurants and at home, according to “The U.S. Market For Asian Foods and Beverages,” a new report from market researcher, Packaged Facts. While the Pan-Asian trend of blending diverse Asian cuisines to create new tastes is still popular, there is also an increased focus on distinct authentic flavors and regional cuisines.
As independent Chinese restaurants reach 41,000 in number, there is also an increase in Asian chain restaurants, such as P.F. Chang’s and Panda Express. It is not unusual to see Asian Foods on non-Asian restaurant menus. These three trends factors will lead to greater usage of these food items at home as consumers become more comfortable with ingredients-especially when considered in tandem with the increasing availability of Asian food products in supermarkets. For example, sushi is now available in most supermarkets. A number of Asian items from different countries of origin have potential for mainstream appeal, including tempura, Southeast Asian satay, Vietnamese sandwiches (banh mi) and curry. Cutting-edge restaurants are creating hybrid dishes by blending elements of Thai, Vietnamese, and other Southeastern Asian cuisines with more familiar Chinese and Japanese elements.
Starbucks Coffee Liqueur Is Launched
Jim Beam Brands and Starbucks Coffee Co. have launched Starbucks Coffee Liqueur, the first liqueur to feature 100% Starbucks coffee.
“Extending our brand into new channels outside of Starbucks stores is part of our long-term growth strategy,” said Jim Donald, Starbucks CEO designate.
Miller Power Table™
Miller is using this attention-grabbing Power Table™ to merchandise its Beer brands. The display maximizes the brand and may be used indoors or out. It features high impact graphics and offers unlimited impressions. The sturdy table is constructed to provide a long-lasting display. The Miller Power Table™ is available from Xtra Lite Display Systems, 345l West Burnsville Parkway, Suite l00, Brunsville, MN 55337-4287.
PJ's Coffee Inflatable Ship-n-Store Program
PJ's Coffee needed a way to increase its visibility and profits. These l0' tall inflatable cups with internal lighting were created to fill this need, and the results are wonderful. Internal lighting allows the cups to draw attention even at night. The cups may be used for up to two weeks at a time. The Ship-N-Store program allows PJ's to see that the the inflatables are inspected, cleaned and repaired as needed. As part of the program, the inflatables may also be stored when they are not at a location. This program is a turn-key, no-hassle inflatable program. For more information, contact Aerostar International, l8l4 F Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104.
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