New Fairweather chain
Fairweather, the Toronto-based fashion retailer, has launched a new value-priced chain, Fashion Rack, specializing in women’s clothing for work and casual occasions.
The chain unveiled its first store Nov. 18 at Toronto’s Sheppard Centre shopping mall.
Fairweather says it will open six additional Fashion Rack stores by spring, 1994, two in Vancouver, two in Winnipeg, one in Calgary and another in Hamilton.
Ad agency is Robert Young & Associates of Toronto.
Bayer merges in Canada
Effective Jan. 1, Bayer AG of Germany will merge four of its Canadian companies into a single entity called Miles Canada.
The four companies are: Agfa Canada, Bayer Canada, Chemagro and the existing Miles Canada.
The new company, which will be divided into six operating divisions, will be headed by Alex Frirdich, whose title will be president and chief executive officer.
Frirdich is president of Bayer and Miles.
Mercedes print launch
Mercedes-Benz has launched a print campaign to introduce its new C-Class sedans.
The campaign, which began Nov. 1 and ends Dec. 10, is running in newspapers and business and upscale consumer magazines.
The C-Class is available in three models: the C220 Special Edition sells for $34,350; the C220 sells for $40,000; and the C280 sells for $47,000.
Mercedes designed the C-Class line to replace its 190 models.
Peter Scharf, Mercedes director of marketing, says the luxury car maker sold 3,221 cars in 1992, representing 8% of total sales in the luxury segment.
Ad agency is Scali McCabe Sloves, New York.
New Sonic games for Sega
On Nov. 23, Sega of Canada launched three new Sonic games, one for each of its hardware systems: Sonic Spinball for the 16-bit Genesis system, Sonic Chaos for the portable Game Gear system and Sonic CD for Sega CD, the cd-rom peripheral to Genesis.
Sega’s Sonic series of games is riding a popularity wave resulting, in part, from the September debut on Global Television of the cartoon series Sonic the Hedgehog.
Amex link to Canada Post
American Express Canada has vastly expanded distribution of its travellers cheques by linking up with Canada Post.
More than 400 retail postal outlets will initially take part in the program.
Amex will support the new program with direct mail and print ads and point-of-purchase displays.
Pepsi-Choice Hotels venture
Pepsi drinkers can save money on a stay at Canada’s largest hotel chain through a massive promotion being put on by PepsiCo. and Choice Hotels Canada. Choice Hotels, which is also the Canadian franchisor for Comfort, Quality, Clarion, Sleep, Econo Lodge, Rodeway and Friendship Inns (now including Journey’s End Motels, Hotels and Suites), are running the promotion until Dec. 1, with $5-off coupons on the back of 24-pack cases of Pepsi drinks (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Crystal Pepsi, 7-up, Diet 7-up and Mountain Dew.)
Coppertone, Cantel, Subway, Music World, Viewer’s Choice, Sunquest Vacations & Intra Travel, Speedy Muffler King, Pizza Hut and Ford are also offering ‘value added’ discount coupons through the Pepsi offer.
Customers using the coupons for hotel stays are asked to mention it when making a reservation. They then present the coupon upon arrival.
