Kwik-E-Mart vs. 7-11

My son and his gang of 13 year-olds made an exodus to the Kwik-E-Mart in Bladensburg on their way back from lazer tag. Supposedly 12 7-11's have been made over to become Kwik-E-Marts in a marketing co-promotion with The Simpsons Movie (which is a little like the next Guns-n-Roses CD which has taken eons to produce).

My son says that ultimately it was disappointing as there wasn't a huge amount of merch and only a few cutout characters in the store. A couple of hats, Squishys and something else. (Guess he missed the Krusty-Os) Still transforming 7-11's in to Kwik-E-Marts is brilliant.

It creates a brand experience where there really wasn't much of one before. It demonstrates that 7-11 has a sense of humor about itself. And it will drive foot traffic (and purchase).

Rohit has a full tally of the marketing onslaught just beginning to roll.