SAVE MART TO OFFER SPECIALTY COFFEE

LISA SAXTON

MODESTO, Calif. -- Save Mart Supermarkets here will soon offer whole bean and other gourmet coffees in its 91 stores.

"Flavored coffee is really in right now; they are very popular," said Sally Sanborn, director of trade and public relations, Save Mart. "And we wanted to offer that choice to our customers."

The program, featuring Brothers Gourmet Coffee products, marks the first time Save Mart will offer specialty coffee, according to Sanborn.

All of the stores will merchandise the coffee items through in-aisle displays, offering shoppers a choice from a selection of whole bean, prebagged coffee, 1.75-ounce one-pot trial sizes, 12-ounce cans of fresh ground coffee, and 8-ounce brick packs.

Six stores will also feature Brothers Club Cafes. The cafes will be staffed by a manager, who will offer shoppers brewed samples, including espresso and cappuccino, and tips on selecting and brewing at home.

The gourmet coffee also is slated to be cross-merchandised in the bakery department of 50 stores.

"We are delighted to be associated with the strong Save Mart name, and to have the double impact of our products in two locations in over half the stores," said Dennis Boyer, president and CEO of Brothers, based in Boca Raton, Fla.

According to Boyer, the Save Mart expands the presence of Brothers in California grocery stores, because the new arrangement comes on the heels of a renewal and extension of Brothers products in another California chain, Nob Hill General Stores, Gilroy, Calif.