WORK WEARHOUSE FOUNDER GOES ON-LINE
By Adnews Staff
The founder of Calgary-based Mark's Work Wearhouse is getting his own way, even if he had to leave the company he started to do so. Mark Blumes is opening an Internet shopping service. Blumes' desire to start up such an operation at Mark's Work Warehouse led to friction with other directors who disagreed with the idea. This eventually led to Blumes being ousted from his position as CEO of the national retailer late last year, a spokesman for Blumes told Adnews yesterday. Blumes has set up a company called Mark's Virtual Store Inc. This company will operate a merchandising and distribution network called Mark's Club, which allows consumer to use their computers to buy goods and services directly from manufacturers. It is set up something like Price Costco, in that people have to take out memberships to shop at the Web site. The site is scheduled to be launched in August. Mark's Club officials were unavailable yesterday to comment on how advertising for the service will be handled. Blumes did announce that it will be promoted through telemarketing done by Telus Marketing Services of Calgary. Synergy Marketing and Public Relations of Calgary is doing PR. "The goal is for Mark's Club to become Canada's largest interactive shopping network, offering quality, product information and brand name merchandise at significant cost savings to customers," Blumes says in a release. Initially the Mark's Club concept will be marketed to about 400,000 households in Alberta, after which it will roll out to the rest of the country. The cost of obtaining a Mark's Club Card is $49.90. The service include warranty registration for all purchases and access to a scholarship fund. TMS Marketing of Calgary will ensure consumers get their purchases. Electronic commerce specialist Magellan Interactive of Calgary will keep the system up and running.