February 14th, 2010 From Hartford, CT

Shoppers want convenience at the tap of a finger, and now that Apple reports more than 100,000 apps for the iPhone, shopping applications have gone mainstream.

Apps can assist, inspire and inform you while grocery shopping. Different programs help you build a shopping list, find a recipe that suits your dietary needs, cooking capabilities and contents of your kitchen.

The following nine mostly free apps hopefully will help make the process of shopping and cooking easier and more fun.

5. Ucook (First version is free)

Search more than 60,000 recipes from the Grocery Shopping Network by ingredients, region, available kitchen tools and more. Includes weekly specials, circulars from your favorite grocer, nutritional information and a shopping engine.

See the entire article here.  This list is from Coupon Sherpa but has been delivered to the Hartford, CT audience…

Feb 10, 2010

Following recent research that last year showed higher coupon usage for the first time in over a decade and a half, digital coupon provider Coupons.com has issued annual data finding growth in printed savings of over 170 percent last year. While coupon inserts in newspapers experienced increases of between 8 percent and 16 percent, e-coupons surpassed that growth by more than 10 to one. Coupons.com reported that nearly $1 billion in savings was printed from its network last year.

“For the first time in almost two decades, the use of coupons increased in 2009, in part due to the growth of digital coupons as more consumers made them part of their shopping routine and more brands tapped them to engage with their consumers,” said Coupons.com CEO Steven Boal. “We expect the adoption of digital coupons will continue to accelerate in 2010 as consumers and brands alike increasingly adopt them, and as we continue to enable companies to engage with their consumers with coupons in innovative ways, including mobile and social media initiatives.”

In 2009, printed savings from Coupons.com and the Coupons.com digital coupon network exceeded $858 million. The 170 percent increase over 2008 indicates even faster growth than the company experienced the prior year (2008 saw an increase of 133 percent over 2007). According to Coupons.com, among the key factors driving this growth were higher consumer adoption of online printable, save-to-store loyalty card and mobile coupons, and increased use of digital coupons by both manufacturers and retailers.

Over 20 percent of the U.S. population — more than 45 million American consumers — now use online coupons, up from 38 million in 2008, Coupons.com reported, adding that of these online coupon users, nearly one-third (13.1 million) don’t clip coupons from their Sunday newspaper, a 140 percent increase from 9.4 million in 2008.

The data additionally found that consumers who use digital coupons have an average household income of $97,000, a 23 percent higher income level than the U.S average, and that 34 percent of these users have a college degree (up from 32 percent in 2008), vs. 30 percent of those who use newspaper coupons and 27 percent of the general populace.

Cereal was far and away the biggest coupon category in 2009, Coupons.com noted, followed by such perennial favorites as yogurt, snacks, condiments and pizza, according to the data. Atlanta headed the list of the most frugal U.S. cities, with the average Coupons.com user in the Georgia capital saving over $531 with coupons from the site last year, the Coupons.com Savings Index reported. Tampa, Fla., captured the No. 2 spot, and rest of the top 10 consisted of Cincinnati; St. Louis; Minneapolis; Nashville, Tenn.; Charlotte, N.C.; Cleveland, Ohio; Pittsburgh; and Kansas City, Mo.

 VIEW THE ARTICLE ON PROGRESSIVE GROCER HERE

Albin Andolshek, VP Communications, Grocery Shopping Network

Coupon usage reached record levels in 2009, increasing 8% since 2008.  37% of U.S. households are using coupons ahead of their shopping trip, according to a recent Nielson Company survey.  Shoppers are planning their shopping trips using coupons to save money on their grocery and food budgets.   According to the same survey, 58% of households are using a shopping list while 47% say they view the weekly circular ahead of the shopping trip.

If shoppers could compare prices on all of their favorite products, review the weekly circular for sale items, create a shopping list, and find coupons for items that are already on sale they could save loads of time and money.  Today, there are a few grocers providing this comprehensive service to their shoppers through a unique partnership with Grocery Shopping Network.  There are many places to find coupons, the Sunday paper and online coupon sites are only a few. 

Grocery Shopping Network and Coupons Inc. have formed a partnership that provides unparalleled savings opportunities for shoppers that other websites and distribution mediums cannot match.  The combined result for the consumer raises engagement, sales, and redemptions.  This is done by showing consumers deals within the store that also have a coupon savings opportunity.

The ultimate solution for consumers is showing them what’s on sale and adding in a coupon to maximize their savings.  This is done all the time in stores with the smart source coupon dispensers, but now it’s done online thanks to innovative technology and Grocery Shopping Network.  Shoppers now can save 10-20% off of their grocery bill without having to spend a great amount of time or money to find everything they need.

This year in review includes a graphic of the growth in coupon usage on Grocery Shopping Network powered websites for the calendar year 2009.

All of these trends are illustrating that digital coupons and communications are a key ingredient in helping shoppers find value while saving time.  According to eMarketer, 6.2% of all coupons distributed in 2009 were online coupons and that number is expected to rise to 8.7% in 2010.  In the same article, ComScore reported coupon sites unique visits were up 33% month over month in November 2009 reaching 37.5 million consumers.

The results for providing more access to more deals and value are increased sales, higher redemptions, and increased brand loyalty.  With so many resources available for shoppers, a one-stop-shop provides the best opportunity for shoppers who have challenging schedules and look for cost savings. 

If you would like to learn more, please contact sales@groceryshopping.net

Grocery Shopping Network’s iPhone app was rated #5 in a top 9 list of Food Shopping iApps on Coupon Sherpa.  A quick excerpt from the article below.

Shoppers want convenience at the tap of a finger, and now that Apple reports over 85,000 apps for the iPhone, shopping applications have gone mainstream. Apps can assist, inspire and inform you while grocery shopping. Different programs help you build a shopping list, find a recipe that suits your dietary needs, cooking capabilities and contents of your kitchen.

5. Ucook – First version is free
Search over 60,000 recipes from the Grocery Shopping Network by ingredients, region, available kitchen tools and more. Includes weekly specials, circulars from your favorite grocer, nutritional information and a shopping engine.

VIEW THE FULL LIST HERE ON COUPON SHERPA

Ucook – GSN’s Customizable iPhone App

GSN has developed UCook, an iPhone® app developed to provide shoppers with the digital weekly specials circular from their favorite grocers, a rich interactive recipe database with nutritional information, and a shopping engine.

It is free to download and can be used with any grocery stores across the country that is powered by GSNConnect™.

The UCook app can be found in the iTunes App Store by clicking this link.  Enjoy!

The Dealmaker: Jon Wendel

Jan 25, 2010 12:00 PM, By MARK HAMSTRA

Jon Wendel took the top marketing post at Hy-Vee in late 2008 just as the entire economy took a nosedive and the country was mired in recession.

Because of his success in growing Hy-Vee’s sales and his shift toward more advanced electronic marketing, SN has named Wendel its 2010 Marketer of the Year.

Some Highlights from the Article below:  View the article at SuperMarket News here

Online Marketing

 While Wendel took Hy-Vee more heavily into the online marketing world in 2009, the best is yet to come, he told SN.

 “In 2010, Hy-Vee will make drastic moves in the ways customers receive information — from Hy-Vee.com, Facebook, Twitter, TV and radio,” he told SN. “Forever in our industry it has been about sticking an ad out there on Wednesday and leaving it there, but that generation is moving on, and uses things like Facebook and Twitter.

 “We are going to move pretty quickly on this,” he added. “Starbucks is pretty awesome in the way they do this, rewarding their customers daily with different things, and Hy-Vee is going to move that way fast this year.”

 To accommodate the changes, Wendel has also been beefing up the marketing staff. A year ago, the company had one staffer handling the website, and that person was also handling other responsibilities in graphic design. Now there are two people working on the site, and Wendel said he thinks the company might add more.

 “I think we might need three or four just to stay up with HyVee.com so it is fresh and cool and sexy every day that somebody wants to go see it,” he said.

As part of the transition, the company has shifted 50% of its weekly print ad to the website, and the print ad refers readers to the website to find additional deals.

In one two-day promotion the company conducted earlier this month, Hy-Vee used no print media at all and instead promoted the event entirely through electronic media: TV, radio, the website, Facebook and Twitter.

 In 2009, as Hy-Vee shifted a large portion of its print-ad budget into TV and into the redesign of the website, the company saw a 40% increase in Web traffic, a Hy-Vee spokeswoman told SN. In addition, subscriptions to the company’s electronic newsletters more than doubled.

 “In my opinion, leveraging the power of online communication and social media is the next big idea to strengthen communication and drive trips,” said Hauptman of Willard Bishop.

 Hy-Vee also recently began looking into a rewards-card program — Hy-Vee does not use a loyalty card — and is eyeing further testing around the middle of 2010.

 “Instead of rewarding with lower prices on particular items, it will reward you for shopping at Hy-Vee in other ways,” Wendel said. “It will reward you with gas and other things.”

Click here for link to SuperMarket News Full Article

At GSN we like to say we’re “Where the Path to Purchase Begins.”  That’s because our digital grocery advertising network, promotion and planning solutions engage shoppers before they enter the store, right at their store’s website – just when they’re searching for specials, making their shopping lists and finalizing many of their purchase decisions. With over 6,000 grocery stores representing over $130 billion in sales, and many of the world’s leading CPG brands, GSN is the largest digital grocery advertising vertical and shopper planning suite in the nation. In addition to our extensive national advertising network we have access to Point-of-sale data from over 28 million Grocery Store Loyalty Card holders which enables GSN to provide our CPG and retail clients with unmatched marketing targeting and ROI measurement solutions.

 We currently have opportunities in Minneapolis for Assistant eMarketing Managers that can plan, coordinate and execute digital and off-line marketing, advertising and trade marketing programs to drive GSN company and/or service awareness, acquisition and retention among B2B and end-user customers.

 Grocery Shopping Network is a 14 year old firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is funded by Vantage Point Venture Partners, ASA Financial, and Trinity Financial.  In 2009, we experienced unprecedented growth, bringing our GSN AD Network of Grocery Store Chains representing over 6,000 store locations – our network traffic grew over  300% to reach over 6.2 Million unique visitors each month. 

 Assistant eMarketing Manager – Minneapolis 

Grocery Shopping Network is looking for assistant marketing managers with experience in digital and traditional marketing. Primary responsibilities will include planning and executing company and service acquisition and retention programs utilizing a combination of digital, traditional and trade marketing strategies.

Job qualifications and experience include:

• Digital marketing and/or eCommerce experience (3+ years)
• Acquisition and retention planning and execution utilizing website, SEM, eMail, banner advertising, social networking, blogging and/or mobile applications
• eMail program planning, coordination and execution
• Experience with digital and marketing analytics and success metrics
• Able to communicate and work with senior level managers
• Sharp business sense, entrepreneurial, resourceful, and results orientated

Recommended Experience:

• CPG consumer and/or shopper marketing experience
• Loyalty / CRM program planning and execution
• Retail experience

Education:

• College degree (MBA preferred)

Compensation packages are commensurate with experience and include a competitive benefits package. No relocation expense is included.

Please send your resume and letter of introduction to Bob Krajeski, Vice President of Digital Marketing at rkrajeski@groceryshopping.net.

Grocery Shopping Network is a leading provider of digital and marketing services to the nation’s Grocery Store Chains and Consumer Packaged Goods companies.

We power the websites of over 6,000 Grocery Store locations representing over 90 grocery store chains, providing grocery shoppers an opportunity to prepare for their shopping trip with access to information from the store digital weekly circular, on-sale items, coupons, over 60,000 kitchen tested recipes, a location based iPhone application and more. Our market coverage represents over $130 Billion in annual grocery store revenue.

In addition to our extensive national advertising network we have access to Point-of-sale data from over 28 million Grocery Store Loyalty Card holders.

We have opportunities in New York City, Minneapolis and in the Western US for Account Directors that can drive revenue success representing our network of sites to CPG brands and their advertising agencies – providing impact with grocery shoppers as they plan their shopping and insight into the ROI and effectiveness of their investment – from ad impression all the way to check-out.

Grocery Shopping Network is a 14 year old firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is funded by Vantage Point Venture Partners, ASA Financial, and Trinity Financial. In 2009, we experienced unprecedented growth, bringing our GSN AD Network of Grocery Store Chains representing over 6,000 store locations – our network traffic grew over 300% percent to reach over 6.2 Million unique visitors each month.

Account Director – New York City, Minneapolis, Western US

Grocery Shopping Network is looking for experienced consultative sales executives that can drive results working with CPG brands, their digital agencies, Shopper Marketing Agencies and Regional brands; job qualifications and experience required:

• Consultative selling experience, working directly with clients and collaborating with client agencies – providing customers with ideas that solve their challenges and drive ROI
• 5 to 7 years experience in digital media – able to demonstrate your past success in generating ongoing budget beating revenue generation
• CPG experience – working direct with clients and a rolodex of customers
• Beyond media – you possess the ability to market and present insight provided by our behavioral/shopping data – building strategic relationships with brands and agencies.
• Able to communicate and work with senior level managers
• Sharp business sense, entrepreneurial, resourceful, and results orientated
• Strong computer and internet skills; Salesforce, DoubleClick/DART, and web based applications

Compensation packages are commensurate with experience, with base salaries and generous bonus/commission upside.

Please send your resume and letter of introduction to Chuck Bolkcom, Vice President Advertising Sales at cbolkcom@groceryshopping.net.

Dec 10, 2009

Everybody’s Market, a one store operation in Chesire, CT, has gone live with a new website that allows shoppers to preshop the store.  Grocery Shopping Network is a great application for grocers who are one store or 2,000 stores because the platform is completely scalable.  Further, it gives businesses of all sizes economies of scale.  This means that a one store operator has now leveled the playing field with the big box stores who have million dollar IT budgets.

Some of the key features that shoppers of Everybody’s Market will now have access to will include the following:

1. Interactive Circular with Recipe Integration
2. Ability to place in-Store coupons on the website
3. Manufacturer Coupons integrated into the site
4. Recipe Center with over 60,000 recipes with nutritional content
5. Recipe Videos
6. Shopping List
7. Email alerts
8. And More!

If you are a grocer and are interested in providing the best solution to your shoppers today, please contact our sales division!  http://www.groceryshopping.net/about/contact.html

David Scott Carlick, Director, Grocery Shopping Network                                                                                

Because GSN offers a combination of broad advertising reach and measurable ROI for companies who want to advertise products sold in grocery stores, the network is often compared to Yahoo! Consumer Direct. This paper analyzes the similarities and differences. 

Yahoo! Consumer Direct is a broad and powerful advertising vehicle, combining the unparalleled reach of Yahoo! with Nielsen analytics, and using Yahoo’s behavioral and contextual targeting to provide a large reach of consumers with attributes of grocery shoppers. 

Grocery Shopping Network is comparable, in a sense a ‘distilled’ version of the Yahoo! Consumer Direct offering. The reach is only to consumers who are using their grocery store website to plan their store visit, and the measurement is directly from POS cash register data, and not projected from panel households.

Yahoo! and GSN

Our belief: If you like Yahoo! Consumer Direct, you will love GSN, and you will want to ‘juice up’ your Yahoo! buy with the distilled essence of shopper that is GSN, where you reach the consumer in the Moment of Decision, generating outstanding lift and sellthrough. Call your GSN sales representative, and we’d be happy to discuss over your favorite beverage.