COMMERCE, Calif., Sept. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- To reveal the
new partnership between the L.A. Clippers and Smart & Final
Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SFS), the Los
Angeles-based neighborhood warehouse grocery store recently
invited L.A. Clippers forward Sam
Dekker to its Downtown Los
Angeles location to surprise shoppers. Dekker went
undercover, posing as the newest team member of the Smart &
Final Extra! store, unbeknownst to store associates.
The surprise appearance celebrates the first-ever partnership
between the L.A. Clippers and Smart & Final, the ultimate
one-stop shopping destination for game-time get-togethers. Becoming
the official grocery and warehouse partner of the L.A. Clippers is
part of the West Coast-based retailer's ongoing efforts to place
food, community and people at the forefront of its unique shopping
model – one that offers everyday value and farmer's market
freshness to household and business shoppers.
To ensure the surprise would be a sweep, Dekker sported Smart
& Final gear and played along as Smart & Final store
manager Justin Jensen introduced him
to the other store associates as the newest team member. The
surprise continued as Dekker bagged shoppers' groceries and helped
shoppers carry their groceries to their cars. The L.A. Clippers
forward also playfully dunked groceries into bags to help shoppers
and associates pick up on his real identity.
"I am thrilled to have been a part of this surprise that not
only brought a few smiles to the shoppers and store associates, but
also celebrates how our teams are joining forces for the upcoming
season," said Sam Dekker. "I am
looking forward to working with Smart & Final and the Clippers
on creating moments like this that really engage with the L.A.
community."
Central to the partnership is an ongoing series of in-store
promotions and contests, in which shoppers will be able to enter to
win a variety of prizes such as game and season tickets, suite
night and courtside experiences, and Smart & Final gift cards,
courtesy of Smart & Final and the L.A. Clippers. The in-store
promotions will begin after the season starts in November 2017 and will continue through
March 2018.
"Team sports and community engagement go hand-in-hand," said
Eleanor Hong, Smart & Final
Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer. "Our new partnership with
the L.A. Clippers provides a fun way to engage with our shoppers
through one of their favorite passion points – NBA basketball. More
importantly, we are thrilled about the opportunity to work with the
Clippers in joint charitable initiatives to maximize our
organizations' impact in communities across Los Angeles. Teaming up with Sam Dekker for this special surprise was a
fantastic way to kick-off the partnership."
Additionally, throughout the year, both parties will collaborate
to support charitable causes in the greater Los Angeles area, including a Clippers-led
Thanksgiving meal delivery initiative
benefiting underserved families.
"The Clippers are focused on our fans and our community," said
Gillian Zucker, L.A. Clippers President of Business Operations.
"Partnering with Smart & Final, with whom we share these common
values, will amplify the impact we all have in Los Angeles."
Full video from the appearance can be found here:
http://bit.ly/2fzy2Nu.
About Smart & Final
Smart & Final Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SFS), is a value-oriented
food and everyday staples retailer, headquartered in Commerce (near Los
Angeles), California. The
Company offers quality products in a variety of sizes, saving
household, nonprofit and business customers time and money. As of
June 18, 2017, the Company operated
314 grocery and foodservice stores under the "Smart & Final,"
"Smart & Final Extra!" and "Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice"
banners in California,
Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana and Utah, with an additional 15 stores in
Northwestern Mexico operated
through a joint venture. In business for over 145 years, the
Company remains committed to giving back to local communities
through employee volunteer opportunities and Company donations to
local nonprofits.
About L.A. Clippers
The L.A. Clippers are an American professional basketball team
based in Los Angeles, CA. The
Clippers are one of only two teams (San Antonio Spurs) to have won
50+ games in each of the past five seasons, and have the NBA's
third-highest winning percentage in that span. The L.A. Clippers
promote positive community involvement through the L.A. Clippers
Foundation, a non-profit organization that teams up with sponsors
and community organizations to facilitate various community
outreach programs focused on children, education, and environmental
& humanitarian values.
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SOURCE Smart & Final Stores, Inc.