SAN JOSE, Calif. -- PW Markets here is spurring sales and excitement with shopping spree contests accompanied by in-store sampling of California products.
The chain has scheduled sprees on six Fridays through Dec. 30 at two of its nine stores that are in the listening area of its radio station contest partner, KKIQ-FM.
Customers are invited to enter in stores and at KKIQ's online site. The radio station draws a winner at random on the day of each spree. That person then has three minutes to pile as many groceries as possible in a cart. Exceptions include fresh meat and most taxable items, like cigarettes and alcohol.
PW Markets has had shopping sprees in the past, but for the first time this year the retailer added product demonstrations, prizes and games, said Karen Belli, director of marketing for the chain.
At the first spree, which took place at the Livermore location, the store sampled such items as its private-label snack foods and Pepsi With Lime. Participating California vendors included West Best barbecue sauce maker and Foster Farms poultry. The California Grown marketing campaign and KKIQ had prize and game booths.
With the added foot traffic and activity, the store had great sales results that day, Belli said.
"It brings in people that ordinarily wouldn't shop, and it's a great chance for vendors to sample items," she said.
