BIG BEAR OFFERS PAID LONG-DISTANCE CARD

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Big Bear Stores here is testing a new promotion in three of its stores that rewards frequent shoppers with a prepaid long-distance calling card Shoppers enrolled in the frequent shopper program at stores in Chillicothe and Waverly will be issued a prepaid calling card for 10 minutes of long-distance service when their purchases total $60 or more.

Distance Hugs," the promotion was developed with long-distance carrier LCI International, McLean, Va., and complements Big Bear's "Give 'em a Big Bear Hug" corporate theme and tagline.

A new promotional campaign will consist of radio, newspaper and in-store advertising as well as the distribution of weekly circulars to consumers.

The program was launched Aug. 28 and includes calls made within the United States. Big Bear Stores operates 65 supermarkets and 12 combination stores in Ohio and West Virginia.