Warning: Rant ahead.
The grocery manager at my locally owned, independent market will attest to the fact I’m a soldier when it comes to brand loyalty. Not only have I stuck with them for twenty-four years, but numerous brands found on their shelves have retained Must Have Status in my every day life.
This spring, the laundry detergent I’ve used for delicate loads for 15 years suddenly disappeared from the shelves. He searched high and low—including at competing stores—but couldn’t locate it anywhere.
Two months ago, my favorite oatmeal vaporized. He got on the horn with the distributor, learned the manufacturer had discontinued the item…then inquired about possible substitutes.
When things go south, he finds solutions. When an item’s forever gone, he suggests alternatives. When he sees me sauntering up the aisle, he greets me with a smile, aware there’s a 50/50 chance we’re about to embark on another exploration.
Solutions and smiles solidify long term loyalty. He gets it. [click here to continue…]
As someone who adores good wine, this one has me stumped. According to an article in USA Today, the state of Pennsylvania is testing out vino vending machines to sell bottled wine.
Seriously. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.
Give me an independent brick and mortar manned by a knowledgeable staff who understands wine, an owner who appreciates customers, and an environment where people have a passion for what’s in the bottle and I’m happy. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed those pleasures (as well as some extremely good vino), thanks to shops like Hennepin Lake Liquors in Minneapolis and Gourmet au Bay in Bodega Bay, California. [click here to continue…]
Lately, I’ve been hearing rumblings in the grapevine about media outlets using The 3/50 Project to sell ad space or time. While some are authorized, it appears a lot of the offers out there aren’t. Keep in mind, this is different from merchants approaching media outlets for ads or incorporating the Project into ads they’re planning to place…it’s about outlets using the Project as a vehicle to sell ads to merchants.
So that everyone’s on the same page, here’s what I tell media outlets regarding the practice: [click here to continue…]
One of the questions I’m asked all the time is “Which three businesses are YOUR favorites, Cinda?” Talk about a loaded question; since most of my haunts are independents, narrowing the list to three is impossible (not to mention it would get me clobbered by those who landed in positions four, five, six, etc.). Just too many to count.
The question that’s been haunting me the past week is this: Which three businesses have we already lost that I’d give my right arm to have back? That’s easy: [click here to continue…]
Here we go…The 3/50 Project in the northeast! If you’re a merchant near any of these three events, you’ll want to attend. There’s a lot of content offered in these sessions beyond what’s on our website or the Facebook page…including a lot of promotional ideas to help bring consumers back through the door! [click here to continue…]