Mat's the way to do it

The Mousepad Company and Boeder are both issuing new designs for their Christmas mousemat ranges. From a retail angle, mouse-mats can be good sellers because they are small enough to display on the counter by the cash till and cheap enough to be classed as an impulse buy - the sale often depending on an eyecatching mousemat logo.

Boeder is banking on Disney's cartoon favourites to catch the eye of the customer, whether in a traditional computer retail outlet, supermarket or high street shop. Priced at u4.99, the colourful mousemats sport images of The Lion King, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and The Jungle Book among others. To display the mats to best advantage, Boeder is also offering racking units tailored to suit the retailer's requirements and has plans to offer bundling deals and special promotional leaflets.

The Mousepad Company has spread a wider net to offer cartoon characters such as Wallace & Gromit, Rugrats, the Mr Men and Little Miss. In addition there is a set of Beatles nostalgia mousemats for music fans.

The company is just finalising the distribution and promotion strategies for its ranges which are priced between u6.99 and u7.99. There is a distinct possibility, though not yet a certainty, that a free fridge magnet or a novelty card could be included in each package. Interested retailers should contact THE Games or Centresoft.