An article in the New York Times (December 8, 2010) describes dry cleaning stores opened by Proctor and Gamble to popularize its Tide products.  A similar effort focuses on Mr Clean Car washing locations.  The goal is to use these outlets to spur revenue growth in the U.S.  But competition in local retail markets for dry cleaning and car washing is fierce, based on cost and service.  Will P&G be able to compete effectively to survive in these markets ? Is going downstream into retail an effective approach to grow product demand ? Can efforts to compete lcoally assist with brand growth thorugh new product introduction ?