HEMPIRE IS THE SUSTAINABLE OPTION IN GREEN FRANCHISING!

Montreal, Quebec
Effective: August 15, 2009
For Immediate Release and Distribution

Hempire® is the Sustainable Option in Green Franchising!

Hempire® (www.hempirecanada.com) is the genuine sustainable option in green franchising and ECOtailing.

Hempire is poised to unveil a more grown-up, clean-lined brand identity, under the guidance of branding and franchise consultants Lori Karpman & Associates. States CEO Lori Karpman: “We have raised Hempire’s brand image up several notches while remaining authentic to its roots.” A more sophisticated palette of rich brown, viola-blue and a punch of orange have replaced Hempire’s previous overpowering color scheme of yellow-orange and moss green. “The palette should not detract from the brand message,” said CEO Karpman, “and must be appropriate to Hempire’s identity as both an ECOtailer and a franchisor.” The addition of a third color to the scheme also provides flexibility for a new store design which is in the works for new franchisees, and which will apply to existing franchisees when they renew their franchise agreements.

In addition to the new color trio, the Hempire logo has been totally redesigned and updated, with simpler, cleaner lines. A new slogan, namely, “Sustainable Indulgence™” has also become an integral part of the Hempire Logo.

Hempire’s CEO and femme-de-force Marsha Churchill is thrilled with the total identity makeover: “The new design is relevant to the varied product line our boutiques carry including our wonderful hemp-based bath & beauty products. Our new slogan is more than just words – it conveys our daily commitment to spoil our customers, not their pocketbooks or the earth!”

Hempire also strives to spoil its franchisees. In addition to other fantastic advantages of becoming a “HempireZEE”, the franchisor will now reinvest $2,500 of the initial franchise fee back into a local store marketing initiative so that new franchisees can hit the ground running. “How many franchisors do that?” asks Churchill. Finally, a complete website facelift with new online retail and franchise features, rewards and marketing “drivers” for the stores complete Hempire’s outstanding brand makeover.

The new branding measures are designed to attract quality franchisees seeking a niche, eco-conscious franchise. Churchill is convinced that Hempire’s new branding strategy will also incentivize higher average ticket sales at the store level. This is confirmed by Whistler (BC) HempireZEE, Jennifer Forrester: “Hempire’s new image is fresh, welcoming and identifiable – very conducive to our stores becoming a destination. Hempire is also implementing new marketing initiatives that are sure to please our customers and encourage repeat visits.”

Hempire offers an exciting line-up of green products made primarily from hemp or other renewable or recycled resources. In its second decade of operation, Hempire capitalizes on the important trend of responsible consumerism and ECOfranchising options. Churchill quips that Hempire is the genuine sustainable option in franchising! “Everything about Hempire is living proof of our good corporate citizenship” remarks Churchill. “Hempire’s affordable array of products, ranging from emollient bath & beauty, to trendy fashions and accessories, make shopping green a no-brainer!”

Not only is Hempire the only Canadian retail chain in its category, it is also the only Canadian franchise of its kind. As expert ECOtailers, Hempire presents franchise and conversion candidates with a unique opportunity to join a genuinely green retail network with significant buying and marketing power. States Karpman, “All of these new measures should tell franchise candidates that Hempire thinks green, not small!”

To see some of Hempire’s new branding measures and to inquire about becoming a HempireZEE, visit www.hempirecanada.com.

Hempire® is dedicated to spoiling its customers, not their pocketbooks or the earth through its franchised network of ECOtailers and outstanding affordable green products (www.hempirecanada.com).