Stop & Shop's New Logo, Part Two, Because I'm Psychic, and I give you a little history about my former-ness.

Um, oops, I already told you this.  I apparently do not know the rules of timely Public Relations.  Sorry about that.  I try.   But then I saw this receipt, and I figured it was totally public knowledge.  It wasn't.  Until today.

Did I ever tell you that I was going to go to college for PR?  In high school, I was a Vocational-Technical kid, in Marketing and Management.   Yes, you are READING THE BLOG OF YOUR MASS STATE DECA CHAMP in RETAIL MARKETING.  :x  Who knew?

During our senior year, we we assigned a project, a portfolio, in which we had to PICK OUR FUTURE CAREER.  (What?!)  I picked, Public Relations!  But, my GPA?  Well, that's another story and I only got into one school on the basis of THAT portfolio and my "Personal Interview."   The story gets more complicated seeing as I never went to college, because I didn't get financial aid, and then, well, now I have an 11 year old.

So, now I am blogging about Stop and Shop, because they DID in fact, "unveil a new logo," and lots of new changes, of which I told you too soon.  Stop + Shop invited me to a blogger event a couple weeks ago - and I went.  Here's a photo slide-show.  They introduced the changes, and fed us amazing food.

But I never learned about the rules of timely PR, because I am a naughty blogger.

So, here is your actual PR:

(QUINCY, MASS.) AUGUST 21, 2008/PRNewswire/ —

Following extensive customer research, Stop & Shop is announcing a redesign of its iconic logo and a roll out of advanced technologies and in-store features. The new offerings will offer a peek into the grocery store of the future with the changes gradually appearing in local stores chain-wide over the next year.

"This is the beginning of an evolution for Stop & Shop," said Jim Dwyer, EVP Strategy & Business Development for Stop & Shop. "From self-service markets to the introduction of the region's first superstore, Stop & Shop has always been an industry pioneer. The new in-store features and modern look allow us to provide customers with better convenience as a prelude to more planned innovations."

Beyond cosmetic changes, customers at select stores will soon have an opportunity to sample a new range of more than 100 fresh prepared foods including soups, new fresh-flavored rotisserie chickens and hot and cold sides; test a family friendly lane — a tabloid-free, candy-free checkout aisle that offers healthy snack alternatives such as yogurt, animal crackers and bottled water; and visit the meat service counter where customers can consult an in-store butcher and request cut-to-order meats.

"Customers talked and we listened," said Stop & Shop's Consumer Advisor Andrea Astrachan. "The new look shows customers that we're making changes and committed to providing great food and meal solutions at low prices everyday."

In addition, the company is gradually rolling out new technology designed to simplify customers' lives. Beyond self-checkout aisles, customers will enjoy the following new features:

ORDER IT! - Our Delivision digital kiosk helps customers avoid lines at the deli counter by allowing them to place their order (item, quantity and special instructions) digitally and continue shopping. The system alerts customers when their order is ready and provides in-store reminders to ensure deli items are retrieved.

SCAN IT! - An Easy Shop hand-held device allows customers to scan and bag groceries while they shop. It also offers shoppers personalized coupons based on their in-store purchases and keeps a running tally of the total, so customers can price-check and manage their budget as they shop.

WEIGH IT! - A one-stop station in the produce department where customers can weigh, price and bag their fresh fruits and produce.

This new logo, refreshed look and livelier, brighter color scheme comes on the heels of Stop & Shop's successful efforts to lower prices across its stores despite rising food costs. The company's refocused efforts on customer service include new logo wear for the associates, and are designed to enhance associate relations and provide a more helpful, friendlier customer service experience. The company also recently announced an associate discount program offering five percent off all store items and an additional five percent off store brands.

About Stop & Shop

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, based in Quincy, Massachusetts, employs more than 59,000 associates and operates stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey.