|
New interior store design to enhance the "look and feel" of MBE locations
For Immediate Release
Contact: MAIL BOXES ETC.
Mail Boxes Etc. Global Headquarters
(858) 455-8982
PR@mbe.com
SAN DIEGO (August 18, 1999) -
Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE), the world’s largest franchisor of retail business, communication and postal service centers, recently announced that it has introduced a new in-store design and décor package to its global franchise system. The interior "makover" for the new millennium, dubbed "MBE 2000," will enhance MBE’s overall image and brand into the next century. MBE 2000 was unveiled to more than 1,000 domestic and international MBE franchisees at the company’s annual international convention in Dallas.
The new interior design features include a new floorplan and color scheme and high-impact graphics with rotating imagery. The new color scheme replaces the red, white and blue palette with more neutral colors: beige, charcoal and black. The contemporary appearance is geared to heighten awareness of MBE products and services through a redesigned menu board and point-of-purchase materials. The front counter, where initial contact with customers occurs, has been moved to a more centralized location to promote a more customer-friendly environment.
"As MBE approaches its 20th anniversary, it is only fitting that MBE redefines itself for the new millennium," said James Amos, MBE president and CEO. "Since the new enhancements were designed with our customers in mind, MBE 2000 represents our commitment to customer intimacy."
MBE 2000, designed in-house over a two-year period, involved in-depth research and strategic planning with more than 400 MBE franchisees, including focus groups, customer surveys and audits. As a result of the research, a prototype design was developed and installed in selected locations. MBE 2000 also was designed to incorporate MBE’s emerging technology initiatives. All new MBE locations worldwide will have the new design implemented and special financing will be offered to existing franchisees who wish to covert to MBE 2000.
"We developed innovative retail design applications that addressed our customers’ product and service needs, while also focusing on ever critical space allocation and operational efficiencies in which our franchisees work," said Jay Scalise, MBE vice president of retail center development. "It also has been critical to ensure these same advances would be able to be implemented where applicable to our existing franchise network, so they may take part in this evolution."
There are currently five existing MBE locations that have the MBE 2000 design. MBE is expected to have 250 MBE locations operating with the new design by the end of the year.
Mail Boxes Etc., a wholly owned subsidiary of US Office Products Company (NASDAQ: OFIS), is the world’s
largest franchisor of retail business, communication and postal service centers. There are nearly 4,000
MBE locations operating worldwide, with master licensing agreements in place for the development of the
MBE business in 61 countries around the world. In the United States, MBE centers are owned and operated
by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., USA, Inc. Outside the United States, MBE centers are owned
and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. MBE maintains a Web site at http://www.mbe.com.
US Office Products Company (USOP) is one of North America’s leading providers of office supplies, office
furniture and office breakroom products. In addition to Mail Boxes Etc., USOP also owns and operated
Blue Star Group Limited, a leading supplier of office products and business services in New Zealand
and Australia. USOP’s Web site can be found at www.usop.com.
|
