BTS products: what worked and what's to come

Drug Store News, Nov 4, 1996

BTS '96 For Stuart Hall's BTS '96, John MacWherter, director of merchandising, reported, "As we expected, Looney Tunes and Coke Bears were very strong for us with excellent sell-throughs in all channels."

Stuart Hall's new line of undated planners for adults Plan It Easy!, was a good performer, too. These also included Looney Tunes, Coke Bears and planners featuring the work of artist Schimmel.

BTS '97 Stuart Hall has the hot new MTV license for soft sided products and school products for BTS '97.

Stuart Hall is pushing into planners with Plan It Easy! and is adding an adult contemporary Looney Tunes and Winner's Collection designs. "Based on our initial year, undated planners have a place in that market, and we're extending the line next year," said MacWherter. The niche is a lower price point than most planners ($4 to $5 retail). Stuart Hall is also updating all licensed, properties with new designs in Coke Bears and Looney Tunes.

In SoHo, Stuart Hall's Naturals line of stationery, with its natural fiber-type of styling, is just starting to reach the market.

This year, Stuart Hall began licensing the Winners Collection (from Successories), a line of business-inspirational images and quotes on posters and a coordinated array of office and stationery items. Consumer research shows that the line is selling for both home and corporate offices, MacWherter said.

Also in 1997, Stuart Hall will introduce a new line of business stationery in the Winners Collection called Professional Papers, which will include letterhead stationery and notes with features like a watermark image of an eagle or drop of water with a few lines of coordinated text on the bottom of the page.

Gilbert Paper will feature its new premium product at SHOPA, Jet Tech glossy ink jet paper for color ink jet printers.

Gilbert will also show its complete line of value-added product ranging from its high-end Jet-Tech specialty paper to its Ultra Tech line for the laser and ink jet market. Ultra Tech includes brights and pastels and carries a lower price point and comes in smaller pack counts in shrink-wrap (rather than larger, higher priced boxes).

Pen-Tab will feature Tough Tracks nylon binders, notefolios and organizers designed to capture the spirit of extreme sports, such as mountain biking and rock climbing with textured material in black, olive or khaki nylon.

Other new school product lines from Pen-Tab include Pro Ball bliders (textured to feel and look like a basketball or football), and Pro Active Black Lightning in black with purple and turquoise accents.