Rivalz™’s Post

🙌 Blacksticks is Back 🙌 3 little words…joyous to say, easy to write ✍️ but not so simple to achieve just 3 months post fire. High performance is often talked about and everyone has their own definition, for me it’s performance that consistently exceeds an expected performance level. That is the performance level I’ve seen from our team these past few weeks, each week setting a new bar. The result is that I can have an interview with The Grocer to share that Blacksticks is Back. 💥 Not only is is back, it’s coming back with a bang, because we haven’t lifted our foot off the gas and the plans we have to deliver category growth remain and we are going to execute them. 💪 Sneak peek in the article below but I’ll be sharing much more about how we are going to deliver this and how you can be part of the movement in the coming weeks. 🤓 🙌 Blacksticks is Back 🙌 https://lnkd.in/eFrqkCYS #Blacksticks #CheeseSetFree #Butlerness #HighPerformingTeam

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

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.

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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

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

I say this as a guy that spent his late 20’s as a broke single father of three that didn’t have a car at times. I understand why people instantly applaud this post but I wonder if ideology around public transit blinds us to more rational solutions. Let me offer some food for thought. Let’s assume that the housed but SNAP receiving home gets $100/month in benefits. Using this math of $1.75/round trip & assuming a person goes to the grocery store 2X per month, that’s $42yr in transit costs. With walking/waiting/riding they are spending a min of 1hr on the round trip, or 2hrs per month. Here’s the issue. An annual Instacart subscription that gives free delivery for orders over $35 is only $100/yr. So even before you assume that the household is paying $10 more per year in the Marion County transit tax, they are only saving $58/yr or approx $5/mon by riding the bus. Has anyone asked a person that is struggling to get to the grocery store if it’s worth $5/month to save two hours in transit? Or put another way, wouldn’t we rather them be home w their children, working more hours, or relaxing like we do instead of running to the grocery store? Also, if we do that in volume it’s pretty easy to negotiate with a vendor like Instacart to reduce the rate for SNAP users knowing their volume will increase. Policy makers should abandon these sacred cows & look for creative solutions.

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In the first of three installments, get to know the independent retailers behind KJ's Market, Maurer's Market, and Crop's Fresh Marketplace and learn what makes these retailers and their stores stand out. #indepdentgrocers #retailgrocery