TRU Launches Pay-in-Store Option
Toys “R” Us, Inc., (TRU) announced that it has launched “Pay In Store,” a new payment option for orders placed through Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com. Customers now have the ability to shop online and pay for the items in any one of the company’s 873 stores across the country, using any payment type, including cash or check. TRU says that payment is accepted at all registers.
Pay In Store serves as a convenient alternative payment option for customers who do not have a credit card or do not want to use their credit card online. When shopping on Toysrus.com or Babiesrus.com, customers simply select the Pay In Store option displayed as one of the payment method choices at checkout.
The order is then reserved and shoppers can visit their local TRU store to pay within 48 hours of receiving their confirmation email. When paying in store, customers must bring a copy of the order confirmation email to any register or display the email on their smartphone to make their full payment. Once payment is made, the order will be processed and shipped to the customer’s home.
Pay In Store is the newest addition to the company’s numerous shopping options, including “Buy Online, Pick Up In Store,” “Ship to Store,” and “Ship from Store.” Visit Toysrus.com/PayInStore.
Fremantle, Martha Stewart in Development Deal
FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) announced late last month that they are partnering to co-develop television and digital video programming featuring contemporary lifestyle personalities.
Under this new first look and development deal, FME and MSLO will identify the next generation of lifestyle talent to star in programming to be produced under the Martha Stewart banner. FME will support the new programming with its global TV, licensing, and home entertainment capabilities. The objective is to develop a pipeline of lifestyle talent across food, fashion, home, gardening and more that will resonate with global audiences on all media platforms. FME and MSLO said in a statement that they will name a development executive to head up the initiative.
FME and MSLO have also expanded and renewed their long-standing television programming distribution deal outside of the U.S., which sees FME continuing to be the exclusive distributor of MSLO content around the world, including titles such as the The Martha Stewart Show and Martha Stewart’s Cooking School.
Edu-Science Names Elenco as Direct Import Distributor
Edu-Science (H.K.) Ltd., a company specializing in science and nature toys, has named Elenco Electronics Inc. as the exclusive direct import distributor of its educational toys marketed under Science Tech, Discovery Planet, Tree of Knowledge, Spy Tech, and Edu-Toys brands. Under the agreement, Elenco will handle Canada and U.S. distribution.
“This is a natural fit for both companies and one in which we see growth and opportunity,” said Franki Tsang, V.P., Research & Development at Edu-Science. We are eager to employ Elenco’s proven success record and put it behind our brands.”
Elenco has a long relationship with Edu-Science, having been the exclusive domestic distributor since 2005.
Edu-Science is known for its Da Vinci DIY kits under license from Leonardo3 and Jr. Scientist Experiment Kits by Gakken-Japan. Also included in the Edu-Science line are Rock Tumblers, as well as Metal Detectors, Dinosaur Skeleton models, telescopes, microscopes, and science kits for the human body and geology.
TÜV Rheinland Opens New Labs in India
TÜV Rheinland, a global technical service provider, expands its worldwide capabilities for softlines testing with a new laboratory in Gurgaon, India. The company announced in a statement that it invested $2.4 million into the 16,145 square-foot laboratory. Another $1.9 million is being invested in two additional softlines laboratories in Bangalore and Tirupur, India. TÜV Rheinland says they are slated to open within months.
“The large Indian market for product testing is a very important market for TÜV Rheinland,” said Dr. Manfred Bayerlein, TÜV Rheinland CEO, in a statement. “This is why we invested in four laboratories in this region alone, with a laboratory in Bangladesh operational since last year and three new ones this year in India.”
The softlines laboratory network of TÜV Rheinland now comprises testing facilities in nine countries, offering customers the benefit of one-stop testing for global markets. TÜV Rheinland’s technical experts have solid experience in international product regulations, standards, and product safety. Dedicated customer service teams provide ongoing client support and guidance. The company’s facilities in North America utilize state-of-the-art technology such as the High-Definition X-ray Fluorescence (HDXRF). The equipment complies with ASTM F2853 and F2617 standards, is non-destructive to the product, and allows for rapid and precise screening and quantification of toxic elements, such as lead. For more information visit, www.tuv.com/us.