Moderator Comment: Which of the programs that Ahold is testing do you think offers the greatest opportunity for building incremental sales and profits for the retailer?
The Dunkin' Donuts deal and other tests being done with Toys 'R' Us, Blockbuster Video and Boston Market demonstrates that Ahold sees brand licensing as a means to differentiate itself in the marketplace.
Stop & Shop is also testing a kiosk program called Endless Aisle™ developed by NeXpansion (www.nexpansion.com). According to the NeXpansion site, Endless Aisle is a customized online application and fulfillment program that enables you to offer a greatly expanded assortment of products to your in-store and online customers. All the products in the Endless Aisle are complementary to what you carry in-store and include specialty products, regional hard-to-find items and product categories not traditionally found in grocery stores."
NeXpansion, for those not familiar with the company, was originally founded in 1996 as Netgrocer.com. The company now develops customized e-commerce solutions for retailers and manufacturers in addition to running the NetGrocer business. [George Anderson - Moderator]