NASH FINCH PLUGGING INDEPENDENTS INTO VIDEO-RENTAL PICTURE

DAN ALAIMO

MINNEAPOLIS -- Nash Finch Co. here is bringing more of its independent customers into the video-rental business.

The company has already put rental departments in three independent stores and will install three or four more in the first half of 1998, said Clifford Feiock, video coordinator.

Inventory and fixtures for the first wave became available when Nash Finch closed video departments in three of its corporate stores, Feiock said. The new departments, installed the second half of this year, are smaller than the ones that had been taken out, he added.

Feiock would not identify the names of the independent retailers or their locations except to say they were in the Midwest. He also would not comment on why the corporate departments were taken out.

"We had some readily available rental inventories and fixtures. Then we had some independent customers step up who had been thinking about getting into the video business. This has been a real easy way for them to test the waters," said Feiock.

"As a result, we are getting more of our independent customers who seem to be interested in stepping up to the plate and making the investment, and doing the program right."

Future independent installations depend on new store plans and remodels, Feiock said. "It is not something that you can do overnight. But they are seeking information now and incorporating video into their plans, which has been exciting."