Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007    Text size: 

Plan-o-Gram is a dynamic multimedia presentation designed to introduce consumers to the Sportsheets brand with a 4 feet by 6 feet compact, wall-mounted showcase that uses a flat-screen TV and displays several of the Sportsheets products. An additional diagram shows retailers how and where to display Sportsheets product in order to increase sales and optimize sales per square foot.

“We appreciate that our retail clients are very busy, so we’ve done almost all of the work for you,” Sportsheets’ Director of Sales and Marketing Todd Carter said. “We’ve laid out the design for you and we’ve even already written the order for you. All you have to do is install the TV and the merchandise according to the schematics we provide then get ready to ring up the additional sales you’ll see.”

The Sportsheets Plan-o-Gram calls for a flat-screen TV for retailers to show the “Sportsheets Demonstration DVD.” The video features seven of Sportsheets’ most popular restraint and positionary devices: The Sportsheet, Under The Bed Restraints, I Like It Doggie-Style Strap, The G-Spot Link, Super Sex Sling and, from Sportsheets' home-party line, the Flirt Doggie-Style Strap and the Flirt Sex Sling. Additionally, products such as leather paddles, body ticklers, and blindfolds also are highlighted in various segments of the DVD.

Though retailers must provide the TV themselves, Sportsheets will supply Sportsheet merchandise as reimbursement, up to $250. The Plan-o-Gram promotional package also includes more than 20 SKU for suggested retail prices from $10 to $200.

GVA-TWN, an adult novelty distributor with 54 stores located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and parts of New York recently beta-tested the program in one of its stores.

According to GVA-TWN Assistant Buyer Lisa Hanna, the program was a success with customers at Adult Mart located in Eastlake, Ohio.

“It was our first store to try the video loop in the display. Customers were asking for products featured in the loop that we don’t normally stock,” Hanna said. “We even had one customer that, after watching the loop, wanted the Sportsheet we had discontinued. We’ve ordered it especially for him and we now stock that item, as well as other items shown in the loop. And since the program was so successful in Adult Mart, we decided to implement the loop in the majority of our other stores.”

Hanna pointed out that Sportsheets has been a popular line for their stores prior to installing the new merchandising program.

“Sportsheets is more women-friendly. It’s not hardcore bondage and it has a little something for everybody,” Hanna said.

The Plan-o-Gram video capitalizes on Sportsheets’ soft-sell approach to consumers curious about light restraints and bondage play.

“And the video is not X-rated, which is nice,” Hanna said. “There was nudity but it was very tastefully done. It wouldn’t be offensive to anybody and it’s educational.”