Healthnotes Fresh Ideas Kiosks Drives Dramatic Gains in Per Capita Sales
(January 2008)

A study recently conducted by Wisner Marketing Group showed that true incremental sales can be gained by providing customers with in-store information kiosks on food and wellness. To assess the value and effectiveness of offering this information, three supermarkets with Healthnotes™ Fresh Ideas information kiosks in the Northwest Indiana market were selected for the study. Over 250 customers and 15 store employees were interviewed to identify kiosk usage trends, and to determine the effects of kiosk availability on customer loyalty and overall store sales. Additionally, customer purchases were tracked from coupons received for taking the interview. The study indicated that:

• Shoppers accessing the kiosk made total purchases averaging 39% higher than non-users.
• On average, users made one or more incremental purchases 75% of the time after accessing the Fresh Ideas Center kiosks. These additional sales occurred throughout the entire store.
• Employees found the kiosks to be a valuable time-saving resource that enhances customer service and shopper loyalty.

Customers respond positively to having recipe, food, and health and wellness information available to them in-store.

Older, Fatter, and Wiser: Marketing to the New Health and Wellness Consumer
(January 2008)

Jim Wisner will be a featured speaker at the 2008 FMI Advertising and Marketing Executive Conference at the Wyndham, Palm Springs April 14, 2008. His presentation, entitled Older, Fatter, and Wiser: Marketing to the New Health and Wellness Consumer, addresses how Supermarkets can maximize their return from making health and wellness a key strategy for the future.

Today, health care means self-care and it is in the store that consumers are making the decisions that most impact their health and personal well-being. An aging baby boomer population, increased media attention, and a multitude of new products and in-store services are all driving what will be the dominant consumer issue in the coming years. This presentation will explore the consumer behaviors behind these trends and tells how retailers can leverage this issue to drive consumer loyalty and build a competitive advantage.

Clement Pappas Launches the Category Connection for Shelf Stable Juices
(December 2007)

Clement Pappas & Co., Inc. is releasing a study and retailer workbook that provides an in-depth look at shelf stable juices and how retailers can apply the learnings from Center Store Renewal: Leveraging Private Label to Drive Growth to build store brand volume and improve category profits. Prepared by WMG, this report will show retailers how they can take the study insights, benchmarks, and other information all the way to the shelf to build category sales. Scheduled for release in early spring, copies of the report can be obtained directly from Clement Pappas.

Lakeside Foods Looks to Set the Standards in Supplier Performance
(December 2007)

Lakeside Foods, a leading supplier in canned and frozen vegetable products, is launching a new study to establish “Best in Class” performance and relations standards for their customers and the industry. Wisner Marketing Group is assisting Lakeside in examining how their customers—in both retail and foodservice—define superior performance and prioritize those activities and resources that will most likely achieve it.

Center Store Renewal Study Defines a New Generation of Private Label Management
(November 2007)

A new study conducted by Wisner Marketing Group, Inc., Center Store Renewal: Leveraging Private Label to Drive Growth, was released at the November 2007 Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) annual trade show. Jim Wisner delivered the lead presentation of the study, conducted with Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) and published by PLMA. Center Store Renewal lays out a five-step path to running a successful private label program that will drive center store growth and overall private label market share. The study also introduces a new concept, Activity Share, which measures a retailer’s share of total private label category activity in five areas: share of selection, share of shelf, share of promotion, share of emphasis, and share of mind.

The 56-page full-color report can be obtained from any of the study sponsors:

Kreher Takes Over Wegmans Egg Farms
(November 2007)

Wisner Marketing Group client Kreher’s Egg Farms recently acquired the egg business and egg farms from Wegmans Supermarkets. Utilizing eggspense, an activity-based costing software program developed by WMG for the American Egg Board and its members, WMG helped define the category economics and distribution methods that will optimize value for Kreher and Wegmans. New marketing and merchandising programs were also developed that will be implemented in the coming months, and provided an added value to the transaction.

New Store Brand OTC Pharmacy Education Program Released
(October 2007)

A new version of the highly popular pharmacy continuing education program, The Role of Store Brand OTC in Patient Self-Care, is now available. Sponsored by Perrigo Company, the program is authored by WMG and has been accredited through the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy (UIC). Jim Wisner, of WMG, and Mary Lynn Moody, RPh, of UIC, will jointly present the program on behalf of Perrigo to retailers throughout the country.

This accredited seminar was created in response to requests for a continuing education program that would help educate pharmacists, along with other retailer personnel, about the important role that store brands play in meeting the needs of patients seeking advice about OTC utilization and self-care regimens. This program also explores the economic impact of store brands upon both patients and pharmacy. Over 90% of attendees have rated this program as “very good” or “excellent” with an average evaluation score for overall quality of 5.5 on the 6-point UIC/ACPE evaluation scale.

A web-based version of this program is also available on-line at the University of Illinois at Chicago Website at www.uic.edu/pharmacy/conted.

Organizations interested in more information about this program should either contact Jim Wisner at the Wisner Marketing Group or Phil Tucker at Perrigo Company (269-686-1689).

Reinventing the Time and Attendance Category at OfficeMax
(September 2007)

Acroprint Time Recorder Company recently launched their new approach to the time and attendance category in OfficeMax stores nationwide. Wisner Marketing Group assisted Acroprint in developing the new planogram and store signage, with supporting training materials to better enable OfficeMax employees to help customers in making the right choices for their business time tracking needs.

The new point-of-purchase program was part of an exclusive partnered arrangement between OfficeMax and Acroprint which includes private label supplies and a comprehensive new approach to managing the category.

Jim Wisner Again Awarded Council of Advisors Leader Designation
(November 2007)

Since achieving the distinction last year, Jim Wisner has again been named a Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG) Councils of Advisors Leader. This distinction puts him at the highest level possible, ranking him in the top 5% of all Members in client satisfaction. GLG Councils Members are recognized as experts in their industry, and GLG CouncilRank™ is a proprietary ranking system that rates Council Member reputation based on implicit indications of value and quality in their interactions with clients. CouncilRank™ heuristically identifies the highest rated Members, allowing GLG and its clients to quickly find the most qualified and relevant experts in key research areas.

Jim Wisner is available for phone consultations with investment banks and others through GLG. http://www.glgroup.com/contact.html

Wisner Marketing Group also performs project work and due diligence studies in health and wellness, private label, food/drug and other retail, CPG, and consumer trends analysis.

Jim Wisner to Conduct Trade Seminar in India
(October 2006)