Favorite Daughter, LLC’s Post

Attention Trend Spotters, Food/Bev Marketers & Indie Brand Folks: Foxtrot Market is shutting down today. Along with PopUp Grocer, Dimes and a few others, Foxtrot was a go-to place to see the trends and support new brands. Is Erewhon the only game in town? Is Faire the new go-to? Since Erewhon is an OG - this feels like the end of era to me. https://lnkd.in/gf_ygcz6

As someone who hadn't experienced Foxtrot and Dom's Kitchen & Market firsthand, the sudden closure of these businesses prompts reflection on what customers truly seek from their grocery experiences. This article sheds light on the challenges that innovative retailers face amidst the dominance of larger competitors and the demand for efficiency. Despite their ambitious growth plans, both Foxtrot and Dom's ceased operations abruptly, leaving the industry reeling with shock and frustration. Foxtrot revolutionized convenience by offering a multifaceted experience encompassing a café, grocery, and delivery services, while Dom’s distinguished itself through culinary excellence with its foodservice stations. The demise of these retailers sparks speculation about the viability of their business models and the effectiveness of their financial management. In an era where cost-cutting and essential-focused strategies reign supreme, retailers struggle to sustain imaginative concepts in the face of industry giants. Foxtrot's labor-intensive model and Dom’s experiential focus encountered significant pressure to deliver consistent returns. The relentless competition driven by efficiency and evolving consumer spending habits poses challenges for startups, while established players like Aldi thrive with their lean operations. However, amidst these challenges, there remains opportunity for innovation, albeit in a more focused and selective manner. Retailers must strike a delicate balance between cost-cutting measures and providing unique experiences to stay competitive in today's landscape. Whole Foods serves as a prime example, maintaining customer excitement through innovative store designs, emphasis on local sourcing, and meticulous brand development. In conclusion, the abrupt closure of Foxtrot and Dom’s serves as a reminder of the imperative for retailers to pilot innovative concepts while nurturing strong connections with customers, even within an environment demanding utmost efficiency. #RetailInnovation #CustomerExperience #GroceryTrends

It's difficult to pinpoint what led to the demise of Foxtrot and Dom's Kitchen & Market when both models seemed so promising. Some opinions are that it took too much venture capital and grew too quickly. Both businesses did have labor intensive models, including Dom's foodservice stalls that required labor capital to run and workers to take and make orders. Check out the latest from Jeff Wells from Grocery Dive: https://lnkd.in/eMvgn-Yj

Great read on the balancing act of innovation and efficiency in the grocery market. The article explores the fresh, innovative ideas of Foxtrot and Dom's and what lessons we can learn from their demise in a high inflationary market. As the grocery industry continues to evolve, it's crucial to find the right balance yet not lose focus on customer demands. What strategies have you implemented to stay ahead in this dynamic industry? #groceryindustry #innovation #efficiency

Did you hear what happened in the grocery, restaurant, and hospitality industries this week? Check out the latest headlines from our #ShermsWeeklyInsider series! P.S. Follow us and our Founder & CEO Neal Sherman for the latest industry news. #grocery #cstore #restaurant #hospitality

Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market collectively operated less than 40 stores in just a few markets. The former was just a decade old, while the latter’s first location hadn’t even celebrated three years in business. But when the news hit last week that both retailers, which merged last fall under newly formed parent company Outfoxed Hospitality, had ceased operations, the outpouring of shock, grief and frustration across the industry was enormous. It’s not clear what led to the demise of Foxtrot and Dom's — two retailers that that had seemed so promising. What is clear, however, is that Foxtrot and Dom’s were operating during a tough time for upscale, innovative retailers. Their downfall comes as both consumers and retailers are feeling more pressure than ever to cut costs, pare down and focus on the essentials. Indeed, we’ve entered a period where creative new retail ideas will struggle to flourish against the raw power of large players and the grinding need for efficiency — and it’ll likely only get tougher from here.

What makes a product truly ‘sell itself’? I recently had the chance to sit down with Tony Resta, the owner of Yield N16 and N1, to talk about what it really takes to be a local shop with heart. In our conversation, Tony shared the essentials: great customer service, product knowledge, and a deep connection to what’s on his shelves. He talked about the passion his team brings; they genuinely love the products they sell, including ours, and that excitement resonates with everyone who steps through the door. Tony reflects on how Yield’s journey with Nettle products has evolved. Beyond the lockdown, our Haverstock White made a comeback after fizzling out, reminding me that while we face setbacks, the value of our quality has endured. Customers came back asking for it, requesting recipes and sharing how versatile it is, spreading the word naturally. It’s a product that speaks for itself, and as Tony said, it’s something Yield doesn’t have to introduce, it just sells itself! As my journey with Nettle begins to wind down, it's moments like these that remind me of the true impact of authentic partnerships with independent shops. Seeing the genuine love for our products from both stockists and customers has been one of the most rewarding parts of this experience and my journey. If you’re looking for inspiration on the value of stocking products you believe in, I hope this footage of Tony offers a few insights. What do you look for in the products and local shops you support? #IndependentRetail #LocalBusinesses #ArtisanalFoods #FoodAndWinePairing #SustainableFood #AuthenticPartnerships #NaturalProducts #UKFoodIndustry #YieldN16 #YieldN1 #Nettle

A fun presentation from a BevNET.com conference back in 2013 by Eric Schnell. https://lnkd.in/gbrgDrFp My takeaways: - “We're not here to launch a product, we're here to build a company” - Be sure to remember the value that can be unlocked by outsourced sales brokers. - What do I want to do? (What’s my vision?) 1.) Build a company of people that deserve better: Better management. Better compensation. Better balance. 2.) Build a successful brand grounded in new, innovative products —> Diversify and grow. #BeverageBusiness #NoLowBiz #NABiz

⏱️ Saving time, saving money. From repacking cases with ease to running En Primeur campaigns faster than ever, Nickolls & Perks’ switch to Wine Hub is all about operational efficiency. Liz Carra explains, “We felt slowed down by our previous system, for example there were limits on items you could add to a sales order. We are now much more productive." What’s more, the cost-effective platform has delivered flexibility for their multi-channel sales strategy—empowering their team to focus on growth. 📈 See how they did it—and how your business can too. 👉 Case Study Link https://lnkd.in/erAf8irt... #WineBusiness #WineTech #FamilyBusiness

Can we have an honest discussion about Foxtrot? First, big kudos to Snaxshot for breaking the news before anyone else and handling it, IMHO, in a balanced and professional manner. Second, to be clear, I am very upset to see Foxtrot close down, especially in this rapid manner. I know how hard this must be for everyone involved and I am so sad to see these stores close, especially the one in Old Town Alexandria, which was anchoring such an important corner of the neighborhood. But, maybe this is a time for greater reflection for the industry. I assume, as everyone should Foxtrot did not fail because of mismanagement or poor leadership. No blame there. Macro effects - high rents, high labor costs and reduced foot traffic in downtown areas- were likely the biggest problems Foxtrot faced and made profitability impossible. Scaling too fast was also likely another key problem. I can only guess here. But the scaling too fast question should make us all take a step back and look at the assumptions behind why Foxtrot was such a darling of the industry and investor portfolios...until this week. To my knowledge bodegas and CVS locations (that Foxtrot was, I assume, competing against) are not failing and shutting down at the same rate. So maybe, this is another case where investors, who come from the 0.1%, were just WAY WAY too out of touch with the vast majority of consumers. Investors in the food industry continue to assume that the market for eclectic and esoteric food and bev is/was much, much bigger than it actually is....so many examples. Maybe bodegas and old school delis aren't so bad. They get the job done. They do not have to be "cool." They have been great businesses for immigrant families for generations. Why do we need to make them "cool?" Food is not fashion. Food and beverage (non-alcohol) are not lifestyle brands. Food brands are not aspirational brands. Consumers don't anchor their identity to food brands or get tattoos of food company logos. Food is amazing, personal and cultural...food brands are not. We are commodities. We are easily replaceable and often consumers don't distinguish between brands. It takes a hundred years and continuous work to build brand loyalty in a commodity...I am competing against one of those. Let's stop trying to make food "cool" and just make it better for the average consumer. Our consumers should be families and people just trying to pay their rent and get to work and not the millionaire heiress with the huge TikTok following. https://lnkd.in/ebMgUn6y