January 1st is the unofficial start of the Science Fair season, so now is a great time to start planning your store merchandising and ordering the appropriate products. It truly pays to be aggressive in going after this business. Participation in Science Fairs is growing, with a 22% increase in the number of affiliate middle school and high school science fairs from 2003-2008. Elmer’s is working hard to support Science Fairs and education, and has signed on as a sponsor of the National Middle School Science Fair Program, which reaches more than 100,000 students across the U.S. each year, with 30 finalists traveling to Washington D.C. to compete for a $20,000 scholarship grand prize. In addition having a newly updated website, Elmers.com, Elmer’s provides downloadable science fair resources for teachers and parents.
To maximize Science Fair sales and profits, take advantage of the Elmer’s breath of line, along with extra promotional discounts offered in the MacPherson’s Winter BTS 2009 Buyer’s Guide. In addition to the traditional 1-ply Project Display Board, be sure to offer the following companion products:
• 1-ply Colored Project Display Board (order in a convenient 25 sheet display of assorted colors)
• Premium White Foam Project Display Board
• Premium Black on Black Foam Project Display Board
• Premium White Foam Project Display Board with Guidelines
• Science Fair Titles
• Project Display Board Headers
This is also a great opportunity to cross merchandise appropriate items, including vinyl letters, stencils, paint markers, glue sticks, etc, with your science fair products. Also, consider adding window signage (“We Carry A Complete Selection of Science Fair Supplies”) to best communicate with all those who pass by your store.
Last minute gift shopping? Science activity kits from Elmer’s and Scientific Explorer are a sure fire way to attract new customers and incremental sales. MacPherson’s has recently added a broad range of these popular kits. With their common price point and box size they are the perfect product for a feature end-cap. Also, Elmer’s is very proud to announce that two of these kits, The Totally Glamorous Spa and the Magic Science Kit, have been selected by Good Housekeeping Magazine as two of the finalists in their 14 Best Toys for 2008, as featured in the upcoming December Holiday issue of the magazine.
Please contact Mike Mankowsky (Elmer’s Account Manager) at mmankowsky@elmers.com or your MacPherson’s sales representative for assistance with any of these programs or products. Season’s Greetings and excellent selling to all!