KITCHENWARE NEWS - Oser Communications Group

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Le Creuset announced the 100 in 100
giveaway and the launch of its new Tri-ply
Stainless Steel micro site. In celebration of
the success of this line, Le Creuset is giving
away one piece of stainless steel cookware
for 100 days. The contest began on
April 27. Le Creuset fans can visit
www.lecreuset.com/100in100 to register
and enter as many times as they like. One
winner is drawn daily (see site for official
rules). The micro site also features recipes,
a store locator and detailed product
information on the entire range of products
from saucepans and casserole to fry pans
and specialty items.
PMI named Mary Slaughter as the new
vice president of Aladdin and Stanley North
American Sales. Slaughter’s 19-year career
in sales, business development and
marketing has encompassed senior vice
president positions at Promoworks,
NCE/World Factory and The Brinkman
Corporation, among others. Her
accomplishments include new market
penetration resulting in millions of dollars
worth of new business and 40 percent
annual growth in sales through the
design and introduction of product lines.
“Mary is a great fit for this position and
our company,” said Mike Bross, PMI’s
executive vice president. “We’re looking
forward not only to her talent and
experience, but also to the energy she brings
with her. We expect she’ll be like a shot
of adrenaline to our North American
sales team.” At PMI, Slaughter will be
taking on the direction and management of
all sales and business development
operations for the mass market, general
merchandise, hardware, drug/grocery and
warehouse club market channels. She will be
based in PMI’s Seattle office.
Ikea named Mikael Ohlsson, a 30-year
veteran of the company, to the position of
chief executive officer. Ohlsson will take
over in September. He currently serves as
head of the South Europe and North
America divisions of Ikea.
The National Retail Federation unveiled
an online Retail Reference Center to host
original research, case studies, emerging
industry trends, ideas and benchmarking
reports submitted by NRF’s associate
members. According to NRF, the
information will be free for all retail and
associate members, is non-promotional
and will serve to educate, inform and
support the NRF community. “We are
very excited to launch the resource center,”
said Denise Brassé, NRF senior vice
president, industry relations. “At a time
when information is the key to success,
NRF’s Retail Reference Center will
provide a direct link between retailers
and the information industry business
partners have to offer.”
The State Of Retailing Online 2009:
Marketing Report, the first of a three-part
series of reports based on the study, was
released in conjunction with Shop.org’s
Online Marketing Workshop in Scottsdale,
Ariz. The survey of 117 online retailers
found that, while the number of companies
focusing on customer retention has nearly
doubled in the past year, many retailers see
the recession as an opportunity to capture
market share from weakened competition.
The State Of Retailing Online 2009:
Merchandising Report, which will examine
tactics to improve conversion rates
and customer experience optimization
investments and plans, will be released in
July at Shop.org’s Online Merchandising
Workshop. Additionally, The State Of
Retailing Online 2009: Profitability Report,
which will explore company organization,
sales and metrics, operations and fulfillment,
and expansion, will be released at Shop.org’s
Annual Summit in September.
KAF GROUP’S
GOURMET CLASSICS TEXTILES
The KAF Group, manufacturer of
Gourmet Classics textiles, introduces
their new For Our Planet line of
100 percent organic cotton textiles.
Soft, durable and absorbent, the 100
percent organic cotton is grown
using a chemical-free process
and biologically based fertilizers.
Eco-friendly dyes and recycled
packaging sweeten the deal. Items
include kitchen towels, dishcloths,
oven mitts, potholders for a green
kitchen and market bags for ecofriendly
shopping.
Gourmet Classics is a brand
exclusively available through HIC—
Harold Import Company.
Suggested Retail Price: $3.99-$7.99
Harold Import Company
[tel] 800-526-2163
[fax] 732-364-3253
[email] info@haroldskitchen.com
www.haroldskitchen.com
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| Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • JUNE 2009