Wal-Mart Isn't Kutting Korners to Kapitalize on KISS

Wal-Mart Isn't Kutting Korners to Kapitalize on KISS

By Mike Duff

In its battle of the bands with Target, Wal-Mart is getting serious.

Or perhaps delirious, but, no matter what, its latest entertainment initiative looks to be fun and productive.

Wal-Mart revealed yesterday that it would be mounting what it refers to as KISS Korners in its electronics and Halloween aisles to support its exclusive distribution of the bands new album Sonic Boom.

Among the featured items involved are Mr. Potato Head versions of all four band members in full makeup.

That's not all, of course, even if the Mr. Potato Heads are likely to be a couldn't-top-them-with-sou

r-cream marketing and sales success, particularly among hard-core KISS fans. The multifaceted KISS Korner merchandise initiative will be in place when Sonic Boom releases on Oct. 6 exclusively at Walmart stores, Sam's Clubs and Walmart.com. The release certainly counts as a value proposition, given that the eleven-track CD is part of a three-disc set that also features a new generation KISS greatest hits CD and a live DVD shot in Argentina during the band's South American tour, all for $12 bucks. Clearly, Wal-Mart is making a pricing statement with its recent entertainment products, one that may pressure other retailers.

Kiss Korners will promote the album and provide fans with an additional opportunity to purchase value-priced merchandise ranging from $5 KISS t-shirts to $10 for the Mr. Potato Head "kollectables." While the electronics department displays may be more instrumental in driving music sales the band's catalog of earlier recordings will be available, too, with CDs ranging in price from $5 to $9 - the Halloween department KISS Korners could clean up on a particular item, full makeup kits, including character-appropriate wigs, that allow consumers to take on the look of their favorite band member for just five bucks.

Wal-Mart will have a lot of help in promoting its KISS enterprise, as Gene Simmons, will put every effort into maximizing the financial opportunities that arise from the release of Sonic Boom. Besides a commitment to live performance support, he's already pitching Dr Pepper in a major ad campaign for the beverages new cherry flavor, one that will bring more attention to the band, the album and Wal-Mart. So expect a full-scale acoustic and commercial KISS assault, one that should make the retailer an even bigger presence on the entertainment and Halloween scenes than it has been.