NEW CATALOGS

PCS Edventures! A supplier of hands-on K-12 curricula, Boise, ID-based PCS Edventures specializes in “learning labs” that range in price from $595 to nearly $14,000. According to national sales manager Bill Albert, the school districts that buy its labs often need additional equipment such as shelves and storage boxes for projects, computers with Internet access, televisions, VCRs, and tables for projects. So to better serve its audience, PCS Edventures last month launched a catalog that expands its product line to include software, furniture, and supplies for public and private schools.

The 276-page catalog mailed to 25,000 school districts in the U.S. and more than 30 other countries. The catalog went to both customers and prospects. “We are constantly researching online for new customers and updated lists,” Albert says.

“We have a really good relationship with the school districts we serve and have received positive feedback,” he continues. “We hope to feed off that with the new catalog.”
— Jim Tierney

Product category: educational supplies First mailing: January 2006 Size of distribution: 25,000 Target audience: Schools Competitors: School Specialty Number of pages: 275 Trim size: 8" × 10-1/2" Telephone: 800-429-3110

Bellablu Maternity Jen Varner, owner of Cary, NC-based apparel Website Bellablu Maternity, is amazed at the response from her first print catalog. Requests were 200% more than predicted — about 3,000 requests within a month after the 40-page catalog launched in August.

“We didn't purchase a list,” Varner says. “We just put up a sign on our Website,” which generated about 7,500 names to date.

And so far the catalog has boosted Web sales 15%. “Nobody is buying through the catalog,” Varner says. “They're going through the Website.” Products include the Olive Pant ($89), the Italia Maternity top ($89), and the Alexia Maternity Jean ($94).

The catalog will mail twice a year, in March and September. Varner says 8,000 catalogs will be printed in March, and that the company has no plans to rent names for future mailings.
— JT

Product category: maternity clothing First mailing: August 2005 Size of distribution: 7,500 Target audience: expectant mothers with an annual income of at least $35,000 Competitors: Motherwear, Elizabeth Lee Designs Number of pages: 40 Trim size: 5" × 7" Telephone: 888-678-0034