The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) celebrated a remarkable year of achievements in retail and sales. Most notably, ASL expanded its retailer base by 3% compared to the previous year, reaching an all-time high for active lottery retailers. Mark Hearn, Director of Sales at ASL, expressed his pride, stating, “We are proud of the continued growth of our retailer network. It showcased the strong presence and popularity of the ASL brand in the market.”
ASL significantly improved the visibility of lottery vending machines in Arkansas by installing over 85 tower jackpot signs across all Walmart Supercenter locations. This strategic move not only increased awareness and accessibility but, ultimately, boosted sales as well.
However, ASL’s agenda goes beyond improved sales. They also partnered with retailers to conduct targeted promotions in underperforming areas and categories to enhance customer engagement. Additionally, a comprehensive review of the instant ticket mix was undertaken to optimize sales potential, streamline inventory turnover, and eliminate stale inventory.
As a result, the Sales and Account Collections teams joined forces to establish a credit committee. The committee’s primary objective is to collaborate closely with retailers, providing them with valuable assistance in efficiently managing their accounting procedures. By emphasizing early debt management and enhancing financial practices, the committee aims to minimize losses and optimize overall financial performance.
As they set their sights on the upcoming fiscal year 2024, ASL has an array of retail initiatives on the horizon. One of their top priorities involves refreshing the displays at retail stores. Hearn conveyed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to embark on a display refresh journey that will establish a distinct and easily identifiable brand identity in stores.”
As details regarding their other new initiatives continue to unfold, Hearn alluded to ASL’s receipt of interest from prominent retail chains regarding potential new retail-related pilot projects. All he was willing to disclose at the time was, “We explored opportunities to collaborate with larger chains to introduce innovative approaches that could further enhance sales and customer experiences.”