Grocery stores are being usurped by the big, warehouse-like chains. This is nothing new, and I myself, have done plenty of my grocery shopping at these huge places. They have cheaper prices, a fairly large selection, and the super stores have everything (from regular food groceries, to clothes, to auto supplies) in one convenient location. I completely understand why these types of stores are blowing their smaller competition out of the water.
However, I was at my local market the other day with my three-year-old son, who was getting understandably impatient waiting in line to check out. When the store clerk saw this, she asked me if it would be alright for her to give him some candy. When I gratefully nodded in the affirmative, she pulled out a little package of Smarties for my son to munch on while we waited. Of course, my son was more than happy to sit in his cart while he got to devour his treat, and I did not have to have the headache of keeping him in line.
This is just one of many examples that this local grocery store has demonstrated. All the employees are incredibly friendly, the bakery always gives us a free cookie upon request, as well as a very large sized sample of their soft-serve ice cream. The atmosphere is so pleasant that my family and I will go there just to walk around and enjoy the free samples if we have nothing to do.
So while I truly understand the benefits of going to the chain superstores, I must admit that I would rather make my life a little less convenient by having to go to my local market and an auto store separately just to support the friendly people at my local grocery store. Simply knowing what nice people they are makes me concerned, as a consumer, that their business continues to stay above water.
And while I may be stereotyping a bit here, I have had similar experiences at other locally owned markets in various locations. Though I was not a regular at those particular stores, I was still treated as such. And let's be honest here - who doesn't like to get the royal treatment, no matter where they are?
I think that the saying of business not being personal is somewhat relative. After all, don't you just love it when you can go to a place on a regular basis and know the people who serve you? Isn't it nice when said people actually take an interest in your personal life along with making sure you are one hundred percent satisfied with your shopping experience? Just some food for thought here. I'm not saying to boycott the larger chains, by any means. I am merely expressing my appreciation for the "mom and pop" stores that are still around. I hope they can continue to thrive in their business ventures, and I also extend my appreciation to their customers who keep them in business.
However, I was at my local market the other day with my three-year-old son, who was getting understandably impatient waiting in line to check out. When the store clerk saw this, she asked me if it would be alright for her to give him some candy. When I gratefully nodded in the affirmative, she pulled out a little package of Smarties for my son to munch on while we waited. Of course, my son was more than happy to sit in his cart while he got to devour his treat, and I did not have to have the headache of keeping him in line.
This is just one of many examples that this local grocery store has demonstrated. All the employees are incredibly friendly, the bakery always gives us a free cookie upon request, as well as a very large sized sample of their soft-serve ice cream. The atmosphere is so pleasant that my family and I will go there just to walk around and enjoy the free samples if we have nothing to do.
So while I truly understand the benefits of going to the chain superstores, I must admit that I would rather make my life a little less convenient by having to go to my local market and an auto store separately just to support the friendly people at my local grocery store. Simply knowing what nice people they are makes me concerned, as a consumer, that their business continues to stay above water.
And while I may be stereotyping a bit here, I have had similar experiences at other locally owned markets in various locations. Though I was not a regular at those particular stores, I was still treated as such. And let's be honest here - who doesn't like to get the royal treatment, no matter where they are?
I think that the saying of business not being personal is somewhat relative. After all, don't you just love it when you can go to a place on a regular basis and know the people who serve you? Isn't it nice when said people actually take an interest in your personal life along with making sure you are one hundred percent satisfied with your shopping experience? Just some food for thought here. I'm not saying to boycott the larger chains, by any means. I am merely expressing my appreciation for the "mom and pop" stores that are still around. I hope they can continue to thrive in their business ventures, and I also extend my appreciation to their customers who keep them in business.
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