The Prepaid Press - April 15, 2008 - (Page 25)

RETAIL FOCUS April 15 · 2008 - 25 Study Finds Gift Card Packaging Increases Sales Seastone Finds 84 Percent Will Buy Gift Card If Free Packaging PROVO, UT (March 24, 2008) Seastone said that a study conducted by The Marketing Workshop found that almost all adults (96%) have purchased or received a gift card. The study also found that four in ten (39%) have purchased gift card packaging, according to the company. The study, commissioned by specialty gift card packaging and promotion company Seastone, said 50% of respondents indicated they are purchasing gift card packaging at a different time and place than the gift card. “Gift card packaging has grown rapidly as a retail product category over the past few years, and this survey shows that consumer awareness is very high – 88 percent of gift card purchasers are now aware of special packaging,” said Eric Child, Seastone President. “Retailers that do not offer gift card packaging are missing a significant revenue opportunity, since consumers are more likely to purchase a gift card if it either comes with free packaging or if packaging is available for purchase.” He said the more consumers are likely to purchase a gift card if it comes with free packaging (84%), but many are also more likely to buy gift cards if packaging is available for purchase (55%) or if the gift card display includes multiple packaging options (62%). The most popular format for gift card packaging is a tin box (29%), followed by NACS Names International VP Kathuria To Steer International Initiatives ALEXANDRIA, VA (April 3, 2008) NACS, the National Association of Convenience Stores, has named Neerja S. Kathuria as its vice president of international and industry analytics. In this position, Kathuria will oversee CSX LLC (CStoreXchange), the convenience and petroleum retailing industry’s online database of financial and operating data in the industry. More than one-fifth of the top 100 convenience store chains in the United States currently use CSX for benchmarking of monthly industry trends. She is also responsible for the association’s international initiatives, including its Global State of the Industry (SOI) and individual international SOI initiatives, and programming for the NACS Global and International Forums. Kathuria has 14 years of global consumer products and retail experience, including driving strategic business growth in markets in the USA, Japan, China, Brazil, Mexico, Europe and India. “Neerja brings to NACS enormous analytical expertise that allows us to optimize our state-ofthe-art research capabilities that will help both retailers and suppliers improve their businesses, said NACS President and CEO Hank Armour. “Her international experience also enables us to continue to grow our portfolio of offers to serve companies around the world,” added Armour. Kathuria has a B.S. in business administration and a post-graduate diploma in international marketing from the University of Delhi, and an M.S. in management information systems and M.B.A. in marketing from Northern Illinois University. Source: NACS (www.nacsonline.com) paper pouches (19%), greeting cards (15%), and stuffed animal designs (10%), according to the release. Gift card packaging is most likely to be purchased for a birthday (78%), followed by the December holidays (72%). The study found that consumers expect gift card packaging to range in price from $1.43 for a paper carrier, $2.48 for a tin box, and up to $3.66 for a stuffed animal. However, a large majority of consumers would spend $5 more on a gift card if it came with free packaging. Therefore, offers such as “free packaging with any gift card purchase of $20 or more” are attractive for consumers. The 2008 Gift Card Packaging Study, which polled a representative sample of 1,003 adults, was conducted for Seastone by The Marketing Workshop. The survey was performed online from January 22 - 25, 2008 with a margin of error of 1.5 percent. Source: Seastone (www.seastone.com) Inflatables Display Provides Inexpensive Signage Above All Advertising Introduces New System SAN DIEGO, CA (March 12, 2008) A new display system introducted by Above All Advertising, Inc., of San Diego offers inexpensive and versatile retail signage with inflatables. The system, called Aire Vue Inflatable, is a lightweight, durable, double-sided air-inflatable sign that replaces the traditional metal frame sign. Aire Vue can be used on a top of a car, in front of stores or shopping centers, at concerts, and even on the water. The inflatable signage device alleviates the problem of scratched surfaces and offers portability. G. Aires, CEO, Above All Advertising, Inc. said, “Designed to meet businesses’ advertising needs, this high quality, versatile device saves money while increasing brand visibility.” Aire Vue is made from quality materials, and is shaped like an “A.” It comes in two sizes and can be conveniently set up with an electric or batteryoperated air blower or foot pump. The advertising message is seamlessly displayed on a long-lasting fabric sleeve that covers the inflatable frame and can be secured by filling the base with water or by placing sand bags on the bottom. The Aire Vue Inflatable can be ordered with printed covers or panels. The device is available with optional extras, including a special protective mat for additional surface protection. The company said Aire Vue may circumvent municipal ordinances that regulate signage when placed on top of a vehicle or other mobile surface. Source: Above All Advertising (www.abovealladvertising.net) CAESARS PALACE, LAS VEGAS · AUGUST 19 – 21, 2008 The Prepaid Press Expo is the one event that bridges all sectors of the prepaid services industry, and all players within each sector. It is the primary point of convergence for prepaid services in 2008, and an event you won’t want to miss! THE PREPAID FORUM AT TPPEXPO’08 NETWORK Just like the central marketplace of Ancient Rome, two thousand years ago, the Prepaid Forum at tppEXPO’08 facilitates the convergence of ideas, products, and opportunities within the prepaid services industry. Unlike any event you have attended, the Prepaid Forum is designed to generate the same excitement and energy that made Rome great. Emperor Sponsor Senator Sponsor Participants Include: Prepaid Service Providers Technology Providers Others Distribution Companies/Retailers FREE EXHIBIT HALL PASS THROUGH MAY 31 Grammaticus (Conference) Partner Giornale (Media) Sponsors REGISTER TODAY! Centurion Sponsors V I S I T P R E PA I D P R E S S E X P O. C O M F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N FREE EXHIBIT HALL PASS THROUGH MAY 31! http://www.nacsonline.com http://www.seastone.com http://www.abovealladvertising.net http://PREPAIDPRESSEXPO.COM http://PREPAIDPRESSEXPO.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Prepaid Press - April 15, 2008

The Prepaid Press - April 15, 2008 Motorola to Split Mobile Payments: The Saga Continues Contents The Retske Report: Election Year and Woody Hayes Regulatory Rundown: 2008 First Quarter Mobile Update 5 Minutes with Mark Herrington tppEXPO’08 Spotlight New Handsets Announced at CTIA Prepaid Wireless in Brief Prepaid Wireless Roundup Virgin Mobile Reports Earnings of 6 Cents Movida Files Chapter 11 LiveWire Mobile Acquires Groove Mobile Boost Selects Vesta for Transactions RadioShack to Offer Trumpet Mobile Service Virgin Offers New Pay as You Go Plans Book Review: Webster’s New World Telecom Dictionary Management Changes at IDT Spot Rates Calling Cards in Brief The State of Prepaid Technology: Productive Coexistence FTC Asks Court to Halt Prepaid Calling Card Scam Louisiana Community Mulls Tax on Prepaid Cards Pactolus Wins VON Magazine Award iBasis Lowers Pakistan Rate for Pingo The Legal Line Biometric Update: Keep Your Shirt On AccountNow Ends Upfront Fees Evolution Benefits Acquires SmartFlex Payments in Brief NetSpend to Offer Bill Payment and Top-up Union Bank Introduces Contactless Card Ingenico Announces Development Kit Prepaid 101: Stupid Card Tricks PLS Offering Walk-In Bill Payment Spend Gift Cards ASAP Credit Card Breach at Hannaford Bros. NACS Withdraws Opposition to Tobacco Bill Study Finds Gift Card Packaging Increases Sales NACS Names International VP Inflatable Display Provides Inexpensive Signage Retail Focus in Brief Our Advertisers Contact Us

The Prepaid Press - April 15, 2008

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