Justin Good — March 24, 2007 — Tech
References: progressivegrocer & livescience
Wine Tasting Room, Mini Bookstore, Take Out Sushi Joint, and Starbucks In A Grocery Store?
There is a growing trend of high end retail establishments catering to niche markets. One of these retail establishments that has been catching on are high end hip-supermarkets. These hip supermarkets like Wholefoods, Wegmans, and Safeway are trying to "win back consumers" dining-out dollars, as well as differentiate themselves from other retail competitors, supermarkets, convenience stores, warehouse/club stores, supercenters, and other specialty retailers." One way they are doing that is "blurring the lines" between "grocery store and take-out restaurant."
If you step into a Safeway, you might see (or start to see) a "new joint to try take-out sushi", a Starbucks to drink coffee, and a "mini bookstore" to sit and relax. Another good example is a new Wholefoods in Fairfax, Va. This hip grocery store has a wine tasting room with 80 wines on tap, hot bar and two salad bars, and a café seating for over 250.
There is a growing trend of high end retail establishments catering to niche markets. One of these retail establishments that has been catching on are high end hip-supermarkets. These hip supermarkets like Wholefoods, Wegmans, and Safeway are trying to "win back consumers" dining-out dollars, as well as differentiate themselves from other retail competitors, supermarkets, convenience stores, warehouse/club stores, supercenters, and other specialty retailers." One way they are doing that is "blurring the lines" between "grocery store and take-out restaurant."
If you step into a Safeway, you might see (or start to see) a "new joint to try take-out sushi", a Starbucks to drink coffee, and a "mini bookstore" to sit and relax. Another good example is a new Wholefoods in Fairfax, Va. This hip grocery store has a wine tasting room with 80 wines on tap, hot bar and two salad bars, and a café seating for over 250.
Trend Themes
1. High-end Hip-supermarkets - Opportunity for high-end supermarkets to cater to niche markets and differentiate themselves by blurring the lines between grocery store and take-out restaurant.
2. Café Seating in Grocery Stores - Growing trend of grocery stores incorporating café seating areas to provide customers with a relaxed and comfortable environment.
3. Wine Tasting Rooms in Supermarkets - Disruptive innovation opportunity for supermarkets to create wine tasting rooms to attract customers and enhance the shopping experience.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Opportunity for the retail industry to explore high-end hip-supermarkets and create unique experiences for customers.
2. Food and Beverage - Disruptive innovation opportunity for the food and beverage industry to collaborate with supermarkets in creating take-out sushi joints and café seating areas.
3. Hospitality - Potential collaboration between the hospitality industry and supermarkets to incorporate wine tasting rooms in grocery stores, providing customers with a unique and upscale experience.
2.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
