Kroger Hosts Tupperware Party

Tupperware Corp. (Orlando, Fla.) has announced it will be installing sales kiosks in 25 supermarkets of Kroger Corp. (Cincinnati). Two weeks ago, Tupperware announced a similar arrangement with Target Corp. (Minneapolis) in 62 of its SuperTarget stores.

The merchandised units, topped by a Tupperware logo, will be staffed by Tupperware's sales agents, who will use the stations as opportunities to sell a limited number of products, but also to arrange parties. The $1.07 billion maker of bowls, mugs and storage containers sells most of its products through about 1 million salespeople in 100 countries who arrange private Tupperware parties in prospective consumers'homes. The bulk of the company's sales come from Europe and Asia. The U.S. currently accounts for less than 20 percent. But weak overseas currencies have hurt sales, forcing the company to concentrate again on the domestic market.

In August, following a six-month drop in profits (despite a 16 percent sales increase), Tupperware reduced its headquarters work force by 6 percent and announced the closing of its Tupperware Convention Center in Orlando.

In addition to the 19 supermarkets in its home state of Ohio and neighboring Kentucky, Kroger has also arranged for the kiosks to go into six Kroger-owned Fry's supermarkets in the Phoenix area.