Case Study: Driving Retail Visibility Through the Supplies Ink “Visibility Contest”

Overview

In the highly competitive ink and printing supplies market, global campaigns often promise grand prizes and wide-scale recognition. However, these initiatives face a recurring challenge: poor retail execution at the store level. This was the case for Supplies Ink’s regional campaign, which included extraordinary prizes such as condominium units, but suffered from lack of participation from resellers.

 

To address this gap, a localized and experiential activation called the Visibility Contest was designed to motivate resellers, maximize the use of point-of-purchase (POP) materials, and create a buzzworthy in-store presence that resonated with shoppers.

The Challenge

  • Low reseller engagement despite large-scale EU promotion prizes.
  • POP materials underutilized or left in storage instead of being displayed.
  • Limited store-level excitement, reducing campaign impact and visibility.

Our Solution: The Visibility Contest

Our Solution: The Visibility Contest
The program shifted the campaign focus back to store-level visibility and reseller motivation.

Key Elements of the Campaign
1. Localized Competition:
- Each shopping mall had its own contest, ensuring multiple winners and wider participation.
- Prizes were immediate and tangible, encouraging creativity and healthy competition.

2. Fair Evaluation:
- Stores were assessed based on clear criteria such as creativity, visibility, and effective POP usage.

3. POP Utilization:
- Stores received fresh batches of POP materials.
- Teams were encouraged to transform displays into thematic showcases to engage customers.

4. Rewards & Recognition:
- Winning stores received exclusive rewards and team recognition.
- The celebratory approach boosted morale and strengthened store pride.

5. Exciting Announcements:
- Winners were revealed in dramatic and engaging ways, creating excitement for both staff and shoppers.

Results

  • Massive Store Transformation:
    POPs were used creatively, with windows transformed into thematic showcases. Many stores began to look like dedicated HP Original Cartridge shops, thanks to impressive décor.
  • Increased Demand for POPs: Resellers who previously ignored POPs began requesting more materials, eager to outshine competitors.
  • Boosted Morale & Engagement: Store staff took ownership of displays, showcasing creativity and collaboration. Recognition reinforced brand loyalty and motivation.
  • Scalable Regional Impact: The success of the Philippines rollout caught attention in the region. Other countries in Southeast Asia replicated the initiative, proving its scalability.

Key Takeaways

  • Localized contests can outperform large-scale generic prizes when it comes to reseller engagement.
  • Recognition and team-based celebrations drive stronger motivation than distant rewards.
  • POP materials become powerful storytelling tools when retailers are motivated to innovate.
  • A successful retail activation in one market can serve as a blueprint for regional campaigns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why was the Visibility Contest created when a regional campaign was already in place?
The regional campaign offered big prizes, but resellers weren’t motivated at the store level. The Visibility Contest localized the excitement by rewarding immediate, tangible efforts — driving real in-store impact.
Instead of far-off prizes, store teams were rewarded with recognition and exclusive perks that boosted morale, made the experience enjoyable, and gave them a sense of ownership over their displays.
POP materials became the centerpiece of the competition. Stores were encouraged to transform standard POPs into thematic, creative displays, showcasing the brand more effectively and drawing in customers.
Stores were evaluated using clear and transparent criteria, ensuring that creativity and visibility were properly recognized.
Yes. The Philippines pilot was so successful that other Southeast Asian countries replicated it, proving that localized visibility contests can scale regionally.

Notice on Intellectual Property: Client names and brands are withheld for confidentiality. All strategies and concepts shown remain the intellectual property of the respective owners and are shared only to illustrate our work.

Looking to boost reseller engagement and maximize your POP campaigns? Let’s talk about building your next in-store visibility program.