Progressive Grocer - December 2008 - (Page 30)

Independents report Big ideas for the smaller grocer School of hard knocks Market Day, a competitor independents need to know more about, works directly through the local organizations grocers support. soups; frozen vegetables and rice; biscuit and cookie ucts that contain no more than 300 calories and dough; cheese; appetizers; crackers; beverages such 30 percent calories from fat per serving, as well as as coffee, Gatorade and Nesquick; Brach’s fruit Market Day Naturals, items made with no presers we approach the holidays, snacks; and desserts are all included in the program. vatives, artificial flavors or colors, or trans fats. we’ve all no doubt been The company is also civic minded. Visit the MarIt’s estimated that schools earn 10 percent of reminded of that familiar total sales for managing the program and the dis- ket Day Web site and you’ll learn about the “Cups phrase, “’Tis the season of tribution of products ordered by consumers. for Hope” and “Coffee Kids—Grounds for Hope” giving.” Orders are placed via Market Day promotional programs, both of which donate sales proceeds to Whether we’re presenting gifts of appreciation brochures, which are a nonprofit group that to our associates and favorite vendors, donating to distributed through supports poverty-stricken food banks providing to those less fortunate, bag- local schools. Students coffee-farming commuAbout Market Day stuffing fliers for the local elementary school to pro- are asked to take the nities locally and around 1,300 employees mote its annual Christmas craft show, or delivering brochures/order forms the world. www.marketday.com poinsettias free of charge to local places of worship, home, or those parIn addition, it touts • Market Day products are also sold at a numthis is for everyone who works in the supermarket ents who are perhaps convenience: Consumers ber of Sara Lee retail stores in the state of industry one of the most demanding yet exciting more technically are invited to visit marIllinois. times of the year. ketdaydirect.com to savvy may sign up via • Consumers may also shop at the Market Day For independents, however, many of which are the Web to automatiarrange for fast, insudistribution facility, which serves the greater Chicago area. According to the company’s committed to serving their communities beyond cally receive the lated shipping nationWeb site, the distribution facility store hours the walls of their stores, through volunteerism and online version of the wide of over 40 Market are as follows: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday financial support to local churches, schools, and program’s latest fullDay items that are “perthrough Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday; civic organizations, the “season of giving” has no color monthly “ad.” fect for gifts or any occaand closed on Sundays. end—it takes place during all 12 months of the year. sion.” The October 2008 • The company makes Market Day gift certifiThat’s why it frustrates me no end when I wit- Market Day ad feaMy point in sharing cates available to consumers. ness community groups, mainly school PTOs tured on its front page what I’ve recently • Consumers are required to pick up their who every day count on our stores to back their the company’s “Big learned about programs Market Day orders at local schools on a speprojects and activities, engaging in fundraising Grocery Giveaway,” such as Market Day is cific day/time. that without a doubt directly competes with local which will award varnot to criticize the comsupermarkets. pany, but to remind all ious amounts of free groceries to 1,000 consumers during the year. of us that it’s tough enough for independents to Unfair competition? Among the many attention-getters were Kraft compete with large regional and national superIt’s typically called Market Day. For those who Mac & Cheese Singles, 85 percent lean ground market and drug store chains, the Dollar Genermay not be familiar with the $470 million-plus beef, and a chicken stir-fry value meal package als and Family Dollars of the world, and goodcompany based in Itasca, Ill., let me fill you in. for six people at a cost of $3.73 per person. ness knows how many other retail channels that Established in 1975, Market Day Corp. offers, manage to distribute food today. mainly through local schools, the monthly sale of Charity and convenience Why must they also compete with those to So, is Market Day truly in touch with today’s which, as consummate good neighbors, they’ve food that includes thousands of popular nameconsumer? You bet! The com- given and no doubt will continue to give so brand items carried in supermarpany’s “Freequent Buyer” pro- much? kets, as well as its own corporate More ONLINE gram rewards customers who brand, to over 6,000 organizaIt’s a question that supermarket retailers have For additional information meet minimum purchase require- every right to ask of their local schools. tions across the country. on independent ments with free products. Plus it USDA Choice beef and pork; retailers, go to recently launched Taste for Independent Retailing Editor Jane Olszeski Tortola baby-back ribs; deli-style hot dogs; Progressivegrocer.com Health line, consisting of prod- can be reached at JanieOT@aol.com. meals in a bag; fish and seafood; By Jane Olszeski Tortola A 30 • Progressive Grocer • December 2008 A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T www.progressivegrocer.com http://www.marketday.com http://www.marketday.com http://www.marketday.com http://www.progressivegrocer.com http://www.progressivegrocer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Progressive Grocer - December 2008

Progressive Grocer - December 2008
Contents
Front End: Onstead Becomes Interim Bi-Lo C.E.O.
Nielsen’s Shelf Stoppers/Spotlight: Shelfstable Juices/Vegetable Juices and Drinks
Market Snapshot: .Seattle-Tacoma,Wash
Retailer of the Year: Taking the lead
Lempert Report: Obama Prepares to Tackle Food Industry Issues
Independents Report: What Grocers Need to Know About Market Day
Consumer Research: Reason for Relevance
Shopper Culture: Reimagining Convenience Foods
Wake-up Call: The Ballad of The Egg Man
Eggs: A Kinder, Gentler Egg
Shelf-Stable Juice: Making a Splash
Post-PMA Show Analysis: High Yield
Niche Pork: Go Whole Hog for Local
Pharmacy: Chronic Customer Service
Technology: A Small-Town Grocer Discovers Digital DIY
Equipment Innovations
What’s Next: Editors’ Picks for Innovative Products

Progressive Grocer - December 2008