Premiums

A form of sales promotion, used in both consumer and business markets, in which free merchandise is given-away, though these products are generally not the actual product but have some connection to the actual product (e.g., free coffee cup imprinted with product logo).

Samples (also Free Trial)

A form of sales promotion, used in both consumer and business markets, that gives customers the opportunity to experience products, often in small quantities or for a short duration, without purchasing the product.

Kiosk

A customer contact point consisting of standalone, interactive computers offering customers the ability to handle their own service options including gaining product information, making purchases, and reviewing customer account details.

Markup-on-Cost

A markup pricing method in which markup is viewed as a percentage by which initial price is set above product cost and is determined by multiplying the cost of each item by a predetermined percentage then adding the result to the product’s cost.

Observational Research

Method of data collection, often associated with Qualitative Research, that watches customers as they perform activities either in a laboratory or in a natural setting (e.g., shopping in a retail store, using products at home).

Press Kits

A media relations tool used as part of Public Relations that includes information such as company background, key managerial biographies and other supporting materials intended to be useful to members of the news media.

Scent Marketing

The intentional use of olfactory elements, such as an odor or fragrance, for the purpose of enhancing customers’ experience with a product.

Automated Warehouse

A type of warehouse that functions with advanced computer and robotics technology to automate storage activity.

Climate-Controlled Warehouse

A type of warehouse that handles storage of products requiring special handling conditions such as refrigeration for perishable products and humidity-controlled environments for delicate products such as flowers.

e-tailers (also Electronic Retailers)

Retail format represented by retailers that confine most of their selling through Internet websites thus providing customers with the convenience of anytime shopping.