The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's latest endeavor — a licensed product kiosk — was designed to provide customers at Goodyear retail locations with a wide array of product and service choices, as well as shopping convenience. The free-standing kiosks have been installed at 65 Goodyear Auto Service Centers and 188 Just Tires locations across the United States. According to Bob Paciulan, manager of licsensed products for Goodyear, the initial installation is part of a broader future retail distribution plan for the company's licensed products. "The more than 60 licensees that currently produce products carrying the Goodyear name realize how valuable our retail network is for showcasing their products with the compelling Goodyear nameplate," says Paciulan. "This is the first time that Goodyear licensed products are being offered at Goodyear retail locations and we hope that this direction encourages additional licensing agreements with companies that produce high-quality merchandise and want to tap into our consumer distribution capability." The new kiosks will offer 22 distinctive products ranging from air compressors to floor mats and air pressure gauges, produced by licensees and carrying the Goodyear name. Product prices range from $2 to $40. "This consumer-oriented initiative will allow customers to enjoy further shopping convenience when they're already in the store to select new tires, or have service work performed on their vehicles." says Sandy Hridel, Goodyear's retail merchandising manager. According to Paciulan, the initial kiosk pilot program will be evaluated in the first quarter of 2008. If the program meets or exceeds expectations, it could be expanded to all 750 Goodyear-owned Auto Service Centers, and then migrate to Goodyear's much broader independent dealer network throughout North America. There is also the possibility that the program could extend to other geographies, Paciulan said. "We are interested in identifying new, high-quality licensees to extend the Goodyear brand to new and different customer bases," Paciulan adds. "We believe our brand has permission to expand within a wide variety of categories, based on the positive strength of the Goodyear name, in the automotive, travel, vacation, sports and leisure spaces. Our expansive and well-respected distribution network is just one way in which we can add value for those who wish to team up with us." The Goodyear kiosk, designed by Rich, Ltd. of Carlsbad, Calif., is a metal structure with flexible shelving to allow for multiple configurations depending on product mix. The kiosks are stocked and maintained by Eastern Tool Warehouse (ETW) that operates seven distribution centers across the U.S. The new Goodyear retail kiosk will be on display next month at Goodyear's booth at the SEMA automotive show in Las Vegas. For more information about Goodyear, visit the company's Web site. | 
