UMVD TAKES ANOTHER JUMPSTART

UMVD is tweaking its JUMPStart.

Sources confirm that the distributor will indeed be making some changes to its ambitious pricing program.

The most imminent will be in the catalog department. UMVD will be reintroducing a discount program akin to the Flex Program which was in place before JUMPStart began. It allows retailers to voluntarily select catalog titles to give endcap space to and, in return, receive deep discounts for the term of the prime positioning.

Some are saying the move is in response to Wal-Mart’s desire to put more titles at their desired $9.75 price point. However, insiders tell us that it is more of a response to pressure from other suppliers that are able to beat UMVD’s everyday low price with short-term discount specials on catalog product. The new "Flex" pricing could start within the next few weeks

Will other changes in JUMPStart involve an adjustment of the $9.09 and $10.10 wholesale price points in order to be able to reintroduce discounts on current product as well? Sources tell us that co-op dollars will still not be back in the mix and that UMVD’s insistence on 27% of endcap and shelf space will stay in place.