Stores Magazine - November 2007 - (Page 24) fullprice/markdown New Wheels AN AUSTRALIAN company has come up with a new and improved L FULCE shopping cart that appears to RI P have benefits for shoppers, retailers – even CPG manufacturers. Markitcart — the name of the company and the moniker for the shopping cart — is made of UV-stable and fully recyclable plastic and is available in 12 colors, allowing retailers to sync the look of the cart with the store’s palette. Since the carts are more lightweight than traditional steel models they’re easier to maneuver; a larger basket and a lower center of gravity contribute to Markitcart’s appeal among shoppers. For potential advertisers, the shopping carts are equipped with interchangeable side panels that function as mobile billboards. And built with an eye toward the future of retailing, Markitcarts are RFID-compatible. That means that when the long-awaited technology allowing an entire cart of goods to be scanned at once is finally in place, Markitcart will be ready to roll. The carts are already wheeling through Australia, Germany and Iceland, and are due stateside shortly. & RETAIL HITS MISSES placed on school vending machines, the San Diego-based company’s launch of YoZone is timely. YoNaturals executives say the machines also are well-suited for offices, shopping centers, hospitals and fitness clubs. Locker Room in a Bottle HOW WOULD you like a sip of Perspiration? If RK- that doesn’t whet your whistle, perhaps you’d MA WN prefer Natural Field Turf, Sports Cream, Dirt or DO Sweet Victory? Unusual flavors are the hallmark of Seattle-based Jones Soda, but its latest line-up appears to veer from idiosyncratic to just plain gross. But company execs say the “Seahawks Collector Pack” is a tribute to football players. “The amount of sweat they go through, and they’re eating dirt and grass and using sports creams — those were the four flavors that really resonated with them,” CEO Peter van Stolk says. The company is also trying to create a buzz around its stillnew relationship with the local NFL franchise. Color us skeptical, but we don’t see Jones scoring a touchdown with this offering. No Toying Around THE SUCCESS of the toy business during the L upcoming holiday season is likely to hinge on FULCE whether or not parents believe that the products RI P It’s All Good ITS OFFERINGS are organic, it’s healthy and convenient. Could it get any better? Sure, but LL FU CE YoZone vending machines by YoNaturals RI P are definitely a standout, providing an alternative to machines that are typically stocked with junk food. Behind the “buy” button of these vending units are items like fresh fruit, Clif energy bars, vitamin-enhanced drinks, Tazo tea – even Horizon Organic milk. Those who install a YoZone machine can choose from more than 150 natural and organic foods and beverages, order through an online system and have the products delivered in less than three days. With the scrutiny now being 24 STORES / NOVEMBER 2007 they’re buying are safe. Toys “R” Us took a giant, pro-active step toward assuaging shoppers’ fears with the debut of a new safety microsite, www.toysrus.com/safety. The site provides up-to-date information on product safety and recalls, including the addition of bilingual recall notices. Another feature available to website users is the introduction of an e-mail notification system for product recalls, and safety boards have been added to Toys “R” Us stores to provide product safety information and recall notices on the spot. Kudos to Gerald Storch, chairman and CEO of the Paramus, N.J.-based toy retailer, who wrote in an e-mail to customers: “When it comes to the safety of children, the bar can never be too high.” WWW.STORES.ORG http://www.toysrus.com/safety http://WWW.STORES.ORG
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