It's the ultimate blend of last minute holiday shopping, technology and trend. Minneapolis-based men's specialty retailer Askov Finlayson has teamed with Uber to deliver its popular North hats free and gift wrapped.
On Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m., anyone can enter TEAMNORTH in the promotions section of the Uber app to unlock the option. When Uber arrives, the customer can look at the color selection, try one on, and select one or more caps that are already gift wrapped. Payment will be made through the Uber app based on the size (youth or adult) and number chosen. Selection will vary per vehicle.
"We reached out to a friend who works for Uber in the Chicago office to figure out a partnership," said Eric Dayton, who owns Askov Finlayson with his brother Andrew. "We have no idea how many we'll sell, but we wanted to do something that benefits climate change too."
The Dayton brothers, sons of Governor Mark Dayton, make a donation to Climate Generation to combat climate change through education through each North product sold. The collection also includes baseball hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and pennants but only the stocking caps are part of the Uber partnership.
The acrylic knit stocking caps with the word "North" on the front have been a strong seller after getting national attention. The hats, $27 and $29, sold out in 2013 and 2014. More than 5,000 have been purchased.
The "North" movement is woven into the buy local trend. The hats are made in Cloquet, Minn., by a company that makes hats for youth hockey players. For more information about North products and the Keep the North Cold campaign, go to askovfinlayson.com/north.
The free deliveries will be made throughout the metro area. Eric Dayton plans to ride along in one of the Uber vehicles to see how the Wednesday promotion goes, "We've never done this before," he said.An Uber representative was not aware of any other small retailers doing similar promotions in other parts of the country.
