October 10, 2012

LAS VEGAS, NV, Oct 10, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Well-executed branding strategies for private label products can help convenience stores set themselves apart, bolster shopper loyalty, improve price perception and, ultimately, boost their bottom lines. And yet the industry still has a long way to go when it comes to taking full advantage of private label’s powerful potential, said Todd Maute, a partner in the global branding firm CBX, during a panel discussion Sunday at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) annual expo and convention.

“Private label is a hot commodity and is in the news a lot these days,” Maute told the audience during “Private Label Profit Puzzle,” a panel discussion featuring c-store and branding experts from four national firms. “But much of its recent growth has been driven by the sluggish economy and is the result of consumers ‘trading down’ in search of better price values.”

During the panel discussion, Maute underscored the need for the industry to adopt a new attitude about private label — one in which companies see private label products, not as lower-tier alternatives to the national brands, but as powerful marketing and branding vehicles in their own right.

“If economic weakness […]

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September 6, 2012

NEW YORK, NY, Sep 06, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Capitalizing on the unique nature of its home city, New York’s Duane Reade chain has built its drugstore brand on uniqueness, with a tag line — Uniquely New York since 1960 — that speaks precisely to that point. So it is no surprise that the chain’s newest store, located at 100 Broadway and overlooking the famous “Canyon of Heroes” tickertape parade route, is in a league of its own. Not only does the store’s design speak to its historic site, but this new Duane Reade location also boasts the brand’s first ever Upmarket Chop Salad Bar, where customers can create their own customizable salads.

Duane Reade collaborated with agency partner CBX on the creation of the store-within-a-store (Upmarket) Chop Salad Bar, the newest offering for the chain’s Upmarket brand. The fresh offerings at Upmarket Chop allow customers to customize their own salads in a “grab ‘n go” manner that works conveniently with their hectic lunch hours. “Duane Reade continues to bring value to New York City shoppers, providing everything from pharmacy to fresh food needs,” says Todd Maute, Partner, CBX. CBX helped create a distinctive look for Upmarket Chop, the […]

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July 19, 2012

‘Uniquely Floridian’ Design Debuts in Orlando; Additional Stores to Follow

ORLANDO, FL, Jul 19, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — New York City-based CBX has designed a fresh, new prototypical store for Wawa, Inc.’s entry into the Florida market. The first of the Wawa, Pa.-based fuel and convenience store operator’s new locations in the Sunshine State opened July 18 across the street from Sea World, with four more scheduled to open in the Orlando area over the next five weeks.

Located at the intersection of Central Florida Parkway and International Drive, Wawa’s new 4,600-square-foot Orlando store is intended to reflect the language and style associated with Floridian vernacular architecture. Exterior characteristics include pastel colors, clapboard siding, pitched roofs and front porches that reference historic south and central Florida building types. The design also pays careful attention to landscaping, allowing the fuel islands and store to blend with its verdant surroundings.

“While the new design style is uniquely Floridian, every other visual reference is recognizably Wawa,” said veteran c-store designer Joseph Bona, CBX retail division president. Travelers from the Mid-Atlantic will find the familiar “winged” gas canopy, the welcoming centrally located entry portal, ample up-front parking and the chain’s familiar Canada Goose […]

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