How Are Independent Operators Communicating With Shoppers?

Have you ever thought about how many communications you receive in just one day? You’d have to count-up all the emails you get, the Facebook messages you see, the text messages, Instagram posts, and even the good, old-fashioned mail. It’s a lot, and you’re just one person.

Independent grocery store operators need their customer communications to be effective and support their bottom line, but with so many different digital and traditional communications channels, it’s hard to know where to invest time and resources. Annually, the Food Marketing Institute survey’s the food retail industry about their overall business practices. In our 2018 The Food Retailing Industry Speaks report, we look at how grocery stores are communicating with customers. When you narrow the survey respondents to operators of one to 10 stores you can see an interesting picture. 

A Mix of Traditional and Digital Vehicles

Ninety-five percent of independent operators (IOs) are invested in Facebook, followed by 88 percent utilizing in email, 73 percent in-store only promotions, 71 percent printed circulars, and 66 percent Instagram. This mix of traditional and digital communications vehicles shows IOs are using more digital channels, but are still tied to some tried and true traditional communications tactics.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: Food Marketing Institute