The current situation has required businesses to get creative, and even essentials like Grocery Stores are innovating to remain relevant and in business. Many grocery stores are getting creative and offering people ways to stay entertained and engaged without leaving their homes.

Maintaining a Personal Connection

With the changes made to grocery stores to accommodate social distancing, grocery stores see their new offerings as a way to help maintain those personal connections that they strive to create. Many families no longer go to the store to shop and have turned to other methods, like online ordering. Those who do shop no longer take their time or bring the family; it is just one person rushing through the shopping. This has led to a dramatic shift in engagement levels.

Grocers Are Being Affected

These strategies are essential for grocery stores as, despite being essential, the stores have been affected by the pandemic. Research from PYMNTS indicates that 59% of people are shopping for groceries less, based on self-reporting. This is despite the increase in grocery demand.

The reduction in grocery shopping likely comes from a range of reasons, from staying at home to flatten the curve to financial uncertainty that leads to people sticking to tighter budgets.

Strategies Vary by Grocer

Each grocer is taking a slightly different approach to community engagement and that personal connection.

Jungle Jim’s International Market in Ohio

This grocer has been hosting events on Facebook Live, with events featuring company experts like Jim Bonaminio, the founder. The activities cover a range of topics, including looking behind the scenes at the creation of the store, making a charcuterie board, and a Q and A about the store.

Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee launched a campaign on social media with the #HelpfulSmileStrong hashtag.

Mariano’s in Chicago

This grocer is offering online tastings, live music, and cooking classes.

Northgate Gonzalez Market in Los Angeles

This Hispanic grocery store chain in Los Angeles launched its Stay-at-Home Solutions, which is a bilingual platform with multimedia. It features activities, DIY ideas, and recipes, so families stay busy. The grocer is also running a giveaway for books for kids. The store took advantage of Dia de Los Ninos (Day of the Kids) to launch its platform on April 30.

Wegmans

This major grocery store created a new part of its website dedicated to cooking with kids. It includes family activity suggestions and how-to videos.

These grocers hope that by maintaining engagement with their customers, they can pull through the current situation and improve their relationships with the community.

Sources:

https://www.retaildive.com/news/grocers-add-live-events-online-classes-and-other-virtual-content/576456/

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