You need the right food adjacencies, making the store easy to shop. The checkout has to be very speedy. And there has to be some pleasant surprises for the customer. Nash Finch's new corporate stores provide child care centers where parents can drop their children to be cared for and entertained while they shop. The child care centers are about 400 square feet, decorated for kids, and offer games and videos.
Security is paramount.
Parents bringing their children receive matching name bracelets and a beeper. Video monitors throughout the store allow parents to keep an eye on their kids, and if there is a problem, they can be beeped. Marshall believes that providing such amenities on top of superior service, convenience and consistently excellent execution in produce, meat and bakery helps to provide the differentiation that independent retailers need. It creates a direct connection and bond with the customer. The confluence of these differentiators create a compelling strategy.