Women & Wine(R) (http://www.WomenWine.com) the lifestyle membership company that creates online and off-line experiences for lovers of wine, good food, travel and fine living, announces the launch of an award program to recognize wine retailers whose stores feature an atmosphere that appeals to both novice and experienced wine buyers.
“With so much choice in the marketplace, we want to inspire women to drink the best wine for their budget — whether it’s $10 or $100,” says Julie Brosterman, CEO & Founder of http://www.WomenWine.com. “Our ‘Trusted Source’(TM) retailer designation is a way for consumers to know the shop has staff willing to answer even the most basic questions, make recommendations in their price range — and that the culture of the shop is to build a trusted long-term relationship with their customers.”
Statistics released in 2005 indicate that women purchase nearly 60% of
all wine sold in the U.S. — most of it in supermarkets. “While it may be
convenient to pick up what’s on special at the end of the aisle while
you’re grocery shopping, we encourage women to be curious about the wine
they drink and to learn about the people, the place, the story that is in
the glass,” says Brosterman. “That happens by forming a relationship with a
trusted retailer.”
Women & Wine® is inviting wine retailers across the country to apply
for their Trusted Source(TM) designation. The application includes
questions about the store’s inventory, price range, staff knowledge and
consumer- education opportunities. It also asks retailers to match two
wines with a dish suggested by Women & Wine(R).
Retailers who earn the Trusted Source(TM) designation will receive a
decal that they can display in their window. There is no limit to the
number of retailers who can earn the award, but those who do not qualify by
March 30, 2007 will have to wait until 2008 to re-apply. A special
provision will be made for new shops that open after the March 30th
deadline.
Women & Wine® will give each Trusted Source(TM) a page on
http://www.WomenWine.com where they can post information about events, sales and
other information. A $3,000 annual value, the webpage is complimentary to
award recipients.
Retailers who do not receive the application via email can request one
by emailing trustedsourceretailer@womenwine.com. A $249 handling fee covers
the cost of reviewing each application and a secret-shopper store
inspection. Additionally, retailers will be asked to invite their customers
to complete a survey in support of their application. Websites that sell
wine can also apply.
“If a wine retailer has a Women & Wine(R) Trusted Source(TM) decal in
the window, customers will know they’ll be in good hands when it comes to
learning about the wine they buy,” says Brosterman. “Ultimately it will
enhance their total wine experience.”
Women & Wine(R) is a multi-media lifestyle company that designs
wine-related experiences for organizations, luxury-product launches and
charitable events. It features savvy wine and food-related content on
http://www.WomenWine.com and Women & Wine Radio. Women & Wine® also offers wine clubs, custom wine-country travel and signature hotel packages complete
with wine tastings, gourmet fare and spa pampering. The leading online
community for women who love wine, travel and living well, Women & Wine(R)
has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and in TIME, USA Today, O Oprah
Magazine, Bon Appetit and Travel & Leisure. For more information visit
http://www.WomenWine.com or call 877-804-WINE (9463).
[SOURCE: Women & Wine®
Feed
