WEGMANS TESTING METACOM MUSIC

JOEL ELSON

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Wegmans Food Markets here is testing interactive audio kiosks featuring cassettes and CDs of some of today's popular music categories.

The three-sided backlit Life!Beats display by Metacom Music, Minneapolis, was installed at seven Wegmans stores this summer and features "Music For Your Lifestyle."

The eclectic collection of 24 selections, which varies in category, includes artists like J.D. Steele and Bobby Z in titles priced at $8.99 for cassettes and $10.99 for CDs. Shoppers preview the music prior to purchasing the digitally-mastered compact discs and cassettes by instant response CD-ROM touch-control on the kiosk.

Wegmans, working on a 40% profit margin for the guaranteed program,promotes the music products monthly at reduced retails, according to Terri Richie, Metacom's sales manager.

The retailer declined to comment.

"Wegmans sees a better rate of sales by running these in a high-low approach," the vendor stated. "The cassettes are promoted at $7.99 and the CDs for $9.99 once a month in ads."