CLEVELAND -- If you're planning a party in Texas, stop by one of the supermarkets operated by H-E-B Grocery Co., San Antonio. American Greetings here is developing an interactive kiosk for party goods at H-E-B. It will enable shoppers to plan better for special events and holidays. The idea came from a strategy meeting between the trading partners. It was agreed that one of the business objectives was to help expand party goods sales and tie party goods sales to bakery sales and other categories. "They needed a salesman on the floor," says Edward Fruchtenbaum, president and chief operating officer of American Greetings. "We took that business objective and translated it into an electronic kiosk. We have expertise with kiosks in this business and we have expertise in developing animated presentations.
