Who knew that the battle for the everyday grocery store customer would come down to the amount of time it takes to get through checkout and whether you have to bag your own groceries or not?
Having shopped at Safeway for years, I had become accustomed to their stores and liked them. However, as time progressed their checking service have become slower and slower. In addition, it used to be that having a bagger to help you out of the store was par for the course, now getting bagging help has become like winning the lottery, it never happens.
I guess grocery stores think that location is the only thing that matters, but in my opinion, they are wrong.
Much like how SouthWest Airlines began letting bags fly free in response to the backlash people had regarding paying for bag checking, King Soopers has now focused their entire ad campaign on how they offer faster checking and bagging. King Soopers understood that people don’t have time or desire to wait in line to get out of the grocery store, nor do they have any interest in bagging their own groceries. It sounds pretty simple doesn’t it?
Yes it is simple, but in my opinion very affective. My last couple of times getting out of Safeway had become a nightmare, and one that I honestly dreaded. My wait just to get through checking had averaged 15-20 minutes, which seems absolutely absurd to me. No wonder King Soopers went after Safeway’s loyal following. With Safeway asking every customer to wait and waste a ridiculous amount of time just to pay for their groceries, there was a huge opportunity for King Soopers. It was time to take it to the competition and position themselves as the leader to a customer base who was dying to be served. Way to stand out King Soopers! Way to show that service still does matter, especially to those customers who don’t have time to waste in a ridiculous line.
This is a perfect example of branding yourself so that your competition doesn’t do it for you. Don’t let your company be the next Safeway, instead champion your brand and be the King Soopers of your space.
Tags: advertising, Branding, customer, customer service, grocery store, King Soopers, Marketing, Safeway, SouthWest Airlines Posted on: 5 Comments
I use the gas rewards all the time at Randall’s (aka Tom Thumb here in Austin). A cuploe of times this summer I got up to 60-70 cents off per gallon. That was really nice to get considering my a/c bills were thru the roof with the record heat this summer. I also take advantage of the sandwich offers/freebies in the deli.One day in June as I was leaving Randalls, the manager ran out after me. I was given a Remarkable Elite Customer Card! So now I get specials a bit longer than everyone else and a few extra perks as a customer.
I work at a non-union king soopers near my home in castle rock. I just recently got promoted to produce after my junior year in high school and took the job of a slacking veteran which is how it chould be . Promotions should be appointed based on work ethic not merlely senority. My wage went from minimum wage to 9.00 which is a nice raise, yet even that much seems too high for the work I do. Certainly, being 16 I don’t have a family to support but for those who do that are in my own situation you must learn to deal with the 9 bucks an hour as you put yourself in that position and if you cannot afford to live that lifestyle than get educated and get a better job, but don’t depend on kroger to give your lazy ass a free ride. Be thankful you have a job because with hiring freezes some others aren’t so lucky.
Great post, really enjoyed it!
— Edison
http://www.bigconceptdesigns.com
I had my first issue at the Cheyenne Wyoming king soopers. The other day had gone smoothly. I had 8 coupons to receive free good n’s natural granola bars and they all went through. But today when I went to buy 8 dawn dish soaps and 16 crystal light to go boxes, I was told about the 5 limit coupons. I tried to do multiple transactions, but they told me they were not allowed to do it. So needless to say I was a little frazzled but I will be going back to get those awesome deals before the ad ends. Before I keep rambling my question is do they treat the the free coupons differently than the regular Mfc ones? I am also wondering if they just did not implement the new coupon policy until now because of the huge remodel they just completed.
Yes it is simple, but in my opinion very affective. My last couple of times getting out of Safeway had become a nightmare, and one that I honestly dreaded. My wait just to get through checking had averaged 15-20 minutes, which seems absolutely absurd to me. No wonder King Soopers went after Safeway’s loyal following. With Safeway asking every customer to wait and waste a ridiculous amount of time just to pay for their groceries, there was a huge opportunity for King Soopers. It was time to take it to the competition and position themselves as the leader to a customer base who was dying to be served. Way to stand out King Soopers! Way to show that service still does matter, especially to those customers who don’t have time to waste in a ridiculous line.