Author’s note: As you might imagine, my inbox has been overloaded with questions revolving around what can be done in store to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant customer engagement issues. Here is my take on addressing the various queries, in part or in whole, of the submittals. One thing is certain; there…
Swede’s Corner: Increasing In-Store Traffic
Fuel gallons are flat if not down. How can I do a better job attracting customer from the pump into the store? With the advent of ride-sharing, hybrid fueled vehicles and millennials who just don’t aspire to drive cars, improving retail conversion from the pump is critical for success. While there is no single “smoking…
Swede’s Corner: Branding Strategy
What are some of the considerations of going unbranded, and is it worth the time, investment and effort? That is a very good question and one that actually invokes additional questions. Going unbranded, industry lingo for “not being branded as a fuel refiner brand, ‘Food-Mart’ or both,” is a relatively complex undertaking that is worthy…
Swede’s Corner: Investing in Rebranding and Design
Money is tight and we need to invest wisely. If I could only invest in rebranding or designing a certain part of my stores, where should I begin? We are advocates of developing proprietary brands that represent not only the business but your passion for your business. It is what you sell every day and…
Swede’s Corner: Redesigns on a Budget
Can I still do a redesign on a limited budget? Absolutely. We are often tasked with solving this age-old issue of delivering a champagne level customer experience on a beer budget. Effective store design isn’t necessarily all about a new look, form and or feel of store, it is about an experience and customer promise.…