The Prepaid Press - July 15, 2008 - (Page 29) RETAIL FOCUS July 15 · 2008 - 29 Lance Armstrong to Speak at NACS Named General Session Speaker ALEXANDRIA, VA (June 18, 2008) Lance Armstrong, one of the world’s most recognized athletes, has been announced as an October 7 General Session speaker for the NACS Show 2008. The NACS Show will take place October 4-7 at McCormick Place in Chicago. In 1996, as one of the top ranked cyclists in the world, Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer and was given far less than a 50/50 chance to survive. However, through determination, dedication and strength, Armstrong recovered and went on to win the elite Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, from 1999 until he retired from racing in 2005. Armstrong also has become a leading advocate in the search for a cancer cure and for people living with the disease. The Lance Armstrong Foundation was founded in 1997 to unite people through programs and experiences and empower cancer survivors to live life on their own terms and to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. The Foundation focuses on cancer prevention, access to screening and care, research and quality of life for cancer survivors. To date, it has raised more than $250 million for the fight against cancer, and has distributed more than 60 million Livestrong wristbands. Armstrong has been recognized with numerous awards for his achievements. In May 2008 Time magazine named him to the Time 100, a list of the world’s most influential people. For four straight years he was named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year (from 2002 to 2004) and also received ESPN’s ESPY Award for Best Male Athlete (from 2003 to 2006). Sports Illustrated magazine named him Sportsman of the Year in 2002. “We are delighted to have Lance Armstrong speak on the closing day of the NACS Show and deliver a strong motivational message about how he overcame incredible adversity and ultimately led a team that accomplished something that is unlikely to ever happen again,” said Jay Ricker, NACS vice chairman of Convention and Events and president of Ricker Oil Co. While retired from cycling, Armstrong remains incredibly competitive. He was among the top 300 finishers in the 2007 New York City Marathon. Source: NACS Show (www.nacsshow.com) Viscom to Offer Mexico Cards Through Emida Phone and Cellular Cards Distribution Expanded ATLANTA, GA (June 24, 2008) Viscom International Inc. announced it will distribute its $5 BEST Mexico prepaid phone cards and $5 BEST Mexico Celular cards in more than 20,000 locations. The expanded distribution is part of a distribution deal signed this month with Emida Technologies Inc. The agreement with Emida is the third distribution partnership this year for Viscom, provider of prepaid products and marketing services for the U.S. Hispanic market. Earlier in 2008, Viscom announced expanded distribution through Kroger stores and through Blackstone Touch-n-Buy retail kiosks. “The distribution of our products across Emida’s Debisys network helps us meet the increasing demand for reliable prepaid phone card brands that deliver the minutes promised and don’t charge exorbitant fees,” said Lourdes Fusaro Norton, Viscom vice president of sales. “This distribution agreement is another great indication of the strength of the BEST Mexico brand among U.S. Hispanics.” Emida’s Debisys network provides point-ofsale-activation distribution points in predominantly Hispanic-focused stores including independent businesses such as convenience stores, supermarkets, drug stores and recharge wireless stores. Depending on location, customers purchasing a BEST Mexico product through the Debisys network receive either a printed thermal prepaid phone card or a receipt with a calling card pin. Source: Viscom International (www.viscominternational.com) Emida (www.emida.net) Azteca Signs Agreement with Via One To Distribute Prepaid Airtime OVERLAND PARK, KS (June 30, 2008) Azteca Mobile, a cellular service targeted at Hispanic consumers, has announced an agreement to distribute prepaid airtime with Via One Technologies, a global distributor of prepaid wireless services. Azteca Mobile offers specific products for communication between the United States and Mexico, including unlimited daily communication through Radio Azteca and prepaid roaming into Mexico. Customers can also activate a local Mexican number from the city of their choice. “Partnering with Via One Technologies allows Azteca Mobile to expand its airtime distribution network, which provides better service to our customers,” said Azteca Mobile Director of Sales, Roberto Mendez. “Our distribution agreement with Via One Technologies will help us reach additional retail outlets so that Azteca Mobile can continue enabling communication between the U.S. and Mexico.” Jae W. Kim, Via One’s Executive Vice President commented, “We are very excited to be partnering with Azteca Mobile to offer their innovative voice and data, including their two-way radio services, to our national network of prepaid merchants/vendors and distributors who are in the Mexican demographic areas.” Source: Azteca Mobile (www.aztecamobile.com) Via One Technologies (www.viaone.com) May Retail Sales Give Tremendous Boost to Industry Retailers Benefiting From Tax Rebate Checks WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 12, 2008) With a little help from Uncle Sam, consumers headed back into the stores in May. According to the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales for May (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) jumped 3.8 percent unadjusted over last year and 0.9 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month. May retail sales released by the U.S. Commerce Department show total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 1.0 percent seasonally adjusted from the previous month and increased 3.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year. “Thanks to the tax rebate checks consumers received last month, the economy got a nice shot in the arm,” said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. “It’s evident consumers are feeling a bit more confident about their expenditures, especially with both April and May sales seeing positive increases in many sectors.” As predicted in NRF’s tax rebate consumer spending surveys, most shoppers hit discounters and grocery stores in May, stocking up on necessity items. Sales at grocery stores increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from April and 8.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year. General merchandise stores sales increased 1.2 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 7.4 percent unadjusted from last year. While many consumers focused on groceries and other necessary items, some did splurge. Sales at electronic and appliance stores increased 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted monthto-month and a solid 4.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year. Clothing and clothing accessory stores sales increased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted from April and 2.4 percent unadjusted from last May. Sporting goods, book and hobby merchandise also benefited, with sales last month increasing 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 4.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year. Health and personal care stores sales were also a bright spot, with sales increasing 0.8 percent seasonally adjusted from last month and 4.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year. Source: The National Retail Federation (www.nrf.com) CAESARS PALACE, LAS VEGAS · AUGUST 19 – 21, 2008 THE PREPAID PRESS EXPO 2008 Wal-Mart Remains Number One STORES Announces New Additions to Top 100 Retailers WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 1, 2008) Though the retail climate has changed dramatically in the last year, the top retail power players have not, according to STORES magazine’s Top 100 Retailers List. The report, sponsored by SAP and featured in the July issue of STORES, is an annual snapshot of the retail industry and ranks companies by revenue and groups them on one chart regardless of the segment or segments in which they operate. “With new products, a different ad campaign, or a fresh look, the best retailers are constantly reinventing themselves to remain relevant to their customers,” said Susan Reda, Executive Editor of STORES Magazine. “As consumers struggle with higher gas and food prices, lower home values, and a shaky economy, retailers are staying focused on how to appeal to shoppers during this difficult time.” As it has since 1991 when STORES began compiling the Top 100 list, Wal-Mart tops the list again for 2007 with sales of $379 billion. According to the STORES article, while Wal-Mart continues to invest in its “green” and organic initiatives, it has not lost site of its original claim to fame of providing everyday low-prices for its customers. Standing strong near the top of the list, The Home Depot is the nation’s second largest retailer. Home Depot’s rival competitor, Lowe’s, also landed on the list at number nine. Cincinnatibased grocer Kroger came in at #4. Thanks to its acquisition of Caremark, CVS Caremark landed the number three spot on the list, up from number nine in 2006. STORES Top 10 Retailers 1. Wal-Mart 2. The Home Depot 3. CVS Caremark 4. Kroger 5. Costco 6. Target 7. Walgreen 8. Sears 9. Lowe’s 10. SUPERVALU STORES Media is the publishing and communications group of the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world’s largest retail trade association. Source: SAP (www.sap.com) National Retail Federation (www.nrf.com) Booked Yet? Be part of the Expo excitement, and stay right in the middle of the action! Reserve your room now to guarantee your stay at Caesars Palace. tppEXPO’08 has contracted a special group rate for Expo attendees. This rate is available from 8/18 – 8/21. To reserve your room online, please visit www.prepaidpressexpo.com You may also call 1.866.227.5944 to book your reservation over the telephone. International callers may dial direct to 702.731.7222. Please be sure to identify yourself as part of the group “SCPPE8” or “The Pr http://www.viscominternational.com http://www.emida.net http://www.nacsshow.com http://www.aztecamobile.com http://www.viaone.com http://www.nrf.com http://www.prepaidpressexpo.com http://www.sap.com http://PREPAIDPRESSEXPO.COM http://www.nrf.com
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