Best Western International announced the debut of its new in-room shopping catalog in its Arizona, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina hotels…
Best Western International announced the debut of its new in-room shopping catalog in its Arizona, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina hotels. This is the first retail offering of its kind for the mid-scale lodging segment. The catalog gives consumers the opportunity to buy unique travel gifts for their friends or family from the convenience of their hotel room.
Best Western plans to expand the distribution of the catalog to all of its U.S. properties in 2005, and eventually to Canada and the Caribbean. The catalog will be customized with special products specific to individual regions and products will vary by season. Consumers can make purchases either by visiting www.shopbestwestern.com , where they can also see the full line of products.
Whether for family, friends or colleagues, the Best Western in-room shopping program is a convenient and affordable way to mark those special occasions, said Rich Bennett, vice president of procurement for Best Western. A majority of the products featured in the catalog were chosen because they are not readily available to consumers in the marketplace, and because they are affordably priced under $100. As a result, consumers can now show how much they care throughout the year by giving practical, unique gifts that suit everyone`s travel needs.
The basis for the catalog program grew from the number of customer requests Best Western received for its Comforel® pillows. The hotel chain`s supply department received hundreds of calls from customers asking how they could buy the pillows. Previously, Best Western did not have a method in place to sell products to its guests.
A sampling of initial catalog offerings include a quilted down pillow protector, curved shower rod, wall-mounted garment steamer, and in-car air ionizer. Additional products will be made available on an on-going basis. Fulfillment of the products will be managed through a partnership with Lodging Luxuries and Best Western Supply.
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