STAR BOGOS STRESS NONFOOD LINES

MICHAEL SLEZAK

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Star Market Co. here recently pumped up its nonfood image with a full page of health and beauty care and general merchandise buy-one-get-one-free coupons in its store circular. Under the headline, "Star Market, do all your shopping in just one stop!" the 33-store chain heralded pricing specials on brands such as Tampax, Head & Shoulders, Pantene and Huggies Baby Wipes.

Beneath that, the chain placed 15 BOGO coupons for a variety of HBC and general merchandise products from toothpaste to batteries.

"That's pretty hot for Star Market," said one local observer. "In fact, that's very hot. That type of HBC promotion is very unique for the chain as well as for the [Boston-area supermarket] market, too. "Star is in the middle as far as being aggressive [on nonfood promotions], though they will do some special events periodically," said the source. The coupons were valid with a $5 purchase, excluding coupon items, from Oct. 2 through Oct. 8.

Additionally, Star ran a $5-off coupon for Turtle Creek 100% cotton Afghan throws in the same ad. The final retail price on the Heritage Mint item, counting the coupon, was $19.95.