'50s theme big success at Snyder's buying show

Drug Store News, Dec 11, 1989

'50s theme big success at Snyder's buying show

MINNETONKA, Minn.--Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley posters, hula hoops and classic Thunderbird, Packard and Nash Rambler cars lent authenticity to the "Back to the '50s" theme of Snyder Drug Stores' recent semi-annual buying show.

Rather than a vendor show, Snyder's fall and spring events exhibit seasonal merchandise preselected by the chain's buying department.

The show gave independent retailers a chance to explore business opportunities that have succeeded in Snyder's corporate stores, including point-of-sale systems, pre-employment testing, parcel shipping centers and employee training packages. A live demonstration of Snyder's new POS-scanning system (Tomax software and Casio computers), which the chain began rolling out to corporate units in October, drew particular interest.

The two-day show drew owners and employees from nearly all of Snyder's 200 independent retailer group to Minneapolis' new convention center to view and place orders for spring and summer merchandise. It was also a place for "mixing and enjoying," as Snyder vp Bill Vidmar put it. Snyder's laid on a dance band that played '50s tunes and such pre-cholesterol-angst fare as hamburgers, french fries, malts and sundaes.

In addition, "The show provides a gathering place to discuss things that are important to our independent retailers," Vidmar said.

"That's a big reason why we come to the buying show," said Matt Osterhaus, co-owner of Osterhaus Snyder Pharmacy in Maquoketa, Iowa. "Obviously, seeing the merchandise and ordering are important, but meeting with other independent retailers gives us an opportunity to compare notes and see what works elsewhere." Osterhaus, who will be getting a new Wal-Mart near his store soon, found an Illinois drug store operator at the show who had already confronted that situation. "Talking to him helped us put together a strategy on how to face our new competition," Osterhaus said.

In addition, an Independent Retailer Advisory Group meets with company officers during the event. "We bounce things off the council and they tell us things we should be looking at," said Vidmar.