ShoptoCook Enhances Recipe Center
With Digital 360 Technology
ShoptoCook is giving consumers a head start on the future of meal planning with its unique Digital 360 technology that extends the recipe solutions provided by its successful kiosk in food stores.
ShoptoCook aims to solve the dinner dilemma for consumers by allowing them to print their favorite recipes virtually wherever and whenever they need it – either from the in-store kiosk, to a digital lifestyle device, or from the web.
“Digital interactive technology is changing the way we shop, work and live,” said Frank Beurskens, CEO of ShoptoCook in Buffalo, N.Y. “The days were marketers ‘shout’ at consumers by persuading their purchase decisions through ‘push’ strategies is giving way to productive ‘pull’ strategies where the consumer seeks out a desired brand regardless of price.”
At the heart of the solution is the ShoptoCook Recipe Center, a touch-screen kiosk typically located along the perishable perimeter in the supermarket’s meat, seafood, produce, wine and cheese departments where meal-planning takes place. The kiosk provides printed recipes and accompaniment ideas.
“We offer branded manufacturers a media channel that places their message where most meal planning takes place – in the perishable aisle,” said Beurskens. “We use kiosks as a vehicle to promote branded ingredients in the context of a meal solution for a shopper.”
The kiosks are installed in over 200 AholdUSA divisions of Tops, Giant and Martin stores located throughout New York and Pennsylvania. The company also provides the in-store interactive solutions technology in all Bloom stores operated by Food Lion/Delhaize Group.
ShoptoCook has enhanced the recipe center with the following:
- Virtual Chef offers shoppers interactive instructional cooking videos on a 32-in. touch screen plasma monitor that can also be integrated with in-store television.
- Digital Interface enables shoppers to download recipes to cell phones, PDAs, iPods, and other devices.
- Recipes on the Web allows integration with a retailer’s web site.
- Private Branding allows retailers to customize the interface by store location, seasonality, and promotional events with retailer–specific logos and graphics.
A new multi-application interface included in the Recipe Center means retailers can include access to other popular applications
on a single, secure technology platform which can include a price checker, aisle locator, deli ordering, loyalty card data access
and more.
TDLinx Adds LIM Capability
To Workforce Management
South49 Solutions, a provider of business technology services, has joined the TDlinx Enabled Network by integrating TDLinx LIM content into its Distributed Workforce Management solution. TDLinx, a Wilton, Conn.-based division of ACNielsen, is the leader in Location Information Management (LIM).
The integrated solution combines South49 Solutions’ cutting-edge scheduling, reporting and project management solution with TDLinx industry-standard retail and on-premise location data to bring yield a solution that eliminates manual and time-consuming activities and enables quick turn-around on in-store marketing initiatives.
The easily-integrated was a key to the success of the biggest product launch in the history of the men’s grooming category. Gillette challenged Retail Merchandising Xpress (RMX), armed with South40 Solutions’ NaturalInsight proprietary software solution, to provide retail merchandising support for the Super Bowl launch of Gillette’s new Fusion shaving system.
“Having TDLinx LIM data literally shaved weeks off of this time-critical product launch,” said Stefan Midford, president of South49 Solutions. “TDLinx data plugged into our software, made the identification of stores and accounts seamless, and provided the ability to quickly match up people with opportunities in the field.”
The advantages of improved richness and data quality provide great advantages to CPG companies, according to Scott Taylor, GM and EVP at TDLinx. “When you provide a better understanding of the trade channels, accounts and markets that drive your business, then link that to your workforce, you gain a clearer picture of how you market and how you go to market,” he said. “Faster utilization of robust, accurate data by people in the field drives new returns and controls on your investments.”
TDLinx, a pioneer in Location Information Management, provides its solution for the world’s largest consumer goods companies. The alliance with South49 solutions enables TDLinx clients to deliver up-to-data customer/outlet information in an automated, portable fashion for quicker execution of in-store activities.
TDLinx is recognized as the universally-accepted store, outlet and account coding structure and premier source of retail/on-premise channel information. With TDLinx Codes, CPG manufacturers and alcohol beverage suppliers can aggregate to a customer view, integrate disparate data and activity, communication seamlessly on a code-to-code basis, and evaluate in any frame of reference with a systematic and repeatable process.
Kenosia Corporation Acquires Revcast
Kenosia Corporation, a leading developer of software solutions that streamline analytical processes for companies, has broadened its offerings by acquiring the Revcast company.
Privately-held Revcast has provided forecasting and replenishment solutions to some of the largest manufacturers in the world. Integrated Merchandising Solution (IMS), the company’s flagship product, is used by several manufacturers in sharing direct point-of-sale information with Wal-Mart and other major retailers.
“The world of analytics continues to change, and the use of more timely and accurate data sources – including from direct POS and RFID systems – is becoming more important," said John Boccuzzi, Jr., CEO of Kenosia, based in Danbury, Conn. “Revcast's Integrated Merchandising Solution handles such information sources with ease and will be an excellent complement to our current analysis and collaboration solutions.”
Revcast's CEO, Shad Gamel, added, “Combining these two organizations provides manufacturers and retailers with the most complete solution set available today, and our integrated development resources hold even greater promise for the future.”
Excentus Introduces Reward Link
For Verifone
Excentus Corp. has announced the availability of Reward Link for Verifone, a new application to enable cross-marketing programs between grocery stores and fuel outlets.
The solution allows grocers to use Verifone’s Ruby SuperSystem in their convenience stores and fuel sites or to partner with convenience stores and gas stations that use Verifone’s Ruby SuperSystem with Sapphire to give consumers discounts on gasoline for making purchases in the supermarket. Reward Link has been certified by Verifone to integrate and automate retail and fuel operations using the Verifone Loyalty Protocol (VLP).
With Reward Link for Verifone, fuel site operators can use the standard features of their Verifone POS system to link to grocers equipped with the Excentus Reward Marketing Engine.
“We are pleased to be the first to deliver this solution to the market with our partners Sunoco and Verifone. Based on customer need and input, this is truly a winning solution for everyone. It is especially gratifying to be a part of providing big savings on gasoline to the American consumer,” said Dickson Perry, founder and CEO of Irving, Texas-based Excentus, which provides fuel site marketing programs, technology and integration services.
Reward Link for Verifone automates the redemption of gas discounts, incorporating the transactions seamlessly into point-of-sale operations. At the gas station, Reward Link for Verifone creates an information gateway from the operator’s existing POS system to the loyalty host. The Reward Marketing Engine in turn provides a rich suite of accounting and reconciliation tools that allow retailers to seamlessly manage cross marketing partnerships that produce incremental traffic and sales for all parties involved.
Brandon Logsdon, Executive Vice President of Excentus, formerly CCISTech, Inc., said, “We are pleased to enhance fuel cross-marketing which is gaining national attention for being at the forefront of the movement to provide consumers relief from the constantly rising price of gasoline.”
OCTOBER 2006
One-Stop Marketing Solution
Targets Hispanic Consumers
MiConexxión, a new Hispanic marketing resource for CPG companies, aims to be a one-stop solution to reach Hispanic consumers at the high indexing stores of major supermarket retailers.
With one call to MiConexxión, every detail of an entire in-store marketing program will be prepared and managed – from hiring and training bi-lingual demonstrators, designing culturally-relevant creative concepts and collateral materials, to providing full accountability through real-time web-based program reporting.
The program is a strategic alliance among three leading consumer marketing specialists: PromoWorks, a Schaumburg, Ill.-based marketing services company; Malone Advertising in Akron, Ohio; and Custom Consulting Group in Raleigh. N.C.
“There are currently over 41 million Hispanics in the U.S.,” said Jon Bos, executive vice president of PromoWorks. “It is a growing population that will reach more than 47 million by 2010. That translates into a current estimated $700 billion in purchasing power, projected to be as much as $1 trillion in just four years. The combined experience and expertise of the MiConexxión alliance allows us to tap into this market with confidence and credibility immediately.”
Insignia and Valassis Are Clicking
The recent collaboration between Insignia Systems, a developer of in-store promotions, and Valassis, a marketing services firm, is already paying off. The pair have secured $252,000 point-of-purchase (POP) sign contract from a major CPG firm.
Valassis uses its marketing and sales departments to provide the Insignia “POPSigns” product with broader and deeper exposure to its clients. Both teams began conducting training and sales planning sessions in mid-June, while active selling commenced in early July. The result has been a spike in sales with several contract proposals in the works.
“I am very encouraged by the level of activity and collaboration between our sales and marketing teams at this stage of our relationship,” said Scott Drill, Insignia’s President and CEO. “We are excited with the enthusiasm the Valassis teams have shown and look forward to many joint-successes with them.”
ACNielsen Trade Dimensions
Unveils Key Account Profiles
ACNielsen Trade Dimensions, publisher of retailer information products, has released its latest Key Account Profiles which feature exclusive data and insights.
The profiles, updated quarterly, are available for ACNielsen’s top 20 accounts: Ahold, Albertsons, BJs Wholesale Club, Costco, CVS, Delhaize America, Dollar General, H.E. Butt, Jean Coutu USA (Brooks/Eckerd), Meijer, Publix, Rite Aid, Safeway, Sears, 7-Eleven, SUPERVALU, Target, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart.
The profiles, delivered electronically in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format and Microsoft PowerPoint files, include:
- Editorial insights on the account's advertising, technology, branding and distribution strategies
- Operations and supplier hierarchies from the TDLinx Channel Database
- Locations of DCs and warehouses
- Color-coded market share charts for all 52 ACNielsen SCANTRACK markets
- A sales sheet with merchandise lines purchased.
- The top ten competitors by account from ACNielsen Homescan & Spectra
- Key personnel by division as well as buyers and category managers
- In-store programs/services
- Brands and types of private label offerings
- Types of advertising and POP merchandising materials utilized by the account
GMDC Names Director
Of Business Development
GMDC has named Robert Hodgin to become the trade group’s first director of business development.
He largely will be focused on “reinventing” GMDC’s Educational Foundation. Other duties will include expanding and developing Web-based programs such as the weekly member electronic news report; developing content and execution of training programs in category management; and various benchmarking projects. He will also be seeking out alliance partnerships and financial support for the research and education products planned for the coming year and beyond.
“The potential for enhancing the foundation’s already significant impact on the industry is great and I am ready to hit the ground running,” Hodgin said.
Hodgin has held senior-level positions with Coca-Cola, Quaker Oats, Hansen’s Natural Corp., as well as with a consumer promotion agency. Most recently, he was executive vice president of sales and marketing for Smart Media of Delaware.
GMDC, based in Colorado Springs, Colo., is an international trade association covering health and beauty care, general merchandise and pharmacy in the food, drug, and mass channels of distribution.
