Skip to main content

A good example of a local shop building followers on line

In my latest Retail Express column I write about the need for local retailers to have some sort of digital platform so that they can build a network of followers.

The email that follows is from a shop called Alfred the Grape, which is in Marlow, a town about 10 or 12 miles from where I live. Except that I was already going to a birthday party - and the weather forecast was dreadful - this is a great email, selling the idea of fun things to do, not necessarily connected directly with buying stuff.

Have a read and think about what you tell local customers - and what you could tell them.

If you're at a loose end this Sunday, why not go to the Marlow Food Festival.

Apparently it's free, fun and we're wines merchants extraordinaire!
So to live up to this bill we'll have some fabulous bottles open for
you to try (&, hopefully, buy if you like them enough).

For the full blurb, see below.
   Moving forward, I'm planning regular Friday evening in-store tasting
   events and will keep you updated.  But, to give you a sneak preview
   we'll start with some new wave German Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris &
   Pinot Noir on Friday 28th.  The following Friday, 5 October, join me
   in a fun-filled 'Call My Bluff' event.  I'm offering tickets for this,
   at £9.99, as I'm limiting numbers to 12 only.
    See you soon.
    Richard

   Alfred The Grape - Wine merchants extraordinaire!

MARLOW FOOD FESTIVAL 2012

Food and family fun and it's all free

Sunday 23rd September 2012

MACDONALD COMPLEAT ANGLER HOTEL

Marlow Bridge, Marlow, Buckinghamshire. SL7 1RG

11am – 4pm

This year's Marlow Food Festival will be held on Sunday, September 23rd at the award winning Macdonald Compleat Angler Hotel and it promises to be a feast of fun for all the family.

Chefs from some of the county's top restaurants will be demonstrating their skills, while food suppliers and restaurants will have stalls where visitors can sample their produce or cooking.

The Oxford Cheese Company, The Irish Cake Collection and The Garlic Farm are just a few of the names who'll be displaying and sharing their products.

Others include Anila's Authentic Sauces Limited, Jamie at Home Cookware, No2 Pound Street and the very knowledgeable team from Alfred the Grape, wine merchants extraordinaire.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Three secrets of great merchandising

Look at the ceiling and top wall of this McDonalds restaurant. There is a picture of two good looking healthy people having fun and some bright primary colours. Ask yourself what is the purpose of this picture? In the latest issue of Retail Newsagent in a feature on merchandising, Andrew Knight of RI tells its independent readers that they need to think about using sharp pictures of non-packaged products linked to people consuming goods. Perhaps this has been taken to the next level by the fast food chain - that is selling the feeling of being happy and healthy rather than the products. A second, related tip from the same feature is made by most contributors - it is vital to keep windows clean and clear of clutter. "I believe that less is more," says Roli Ranger, a retailer from Ascot, Berkshire. He has posters for promotions in between the windows that are regularly updated and discreet signs in the windows. Third, a highly visible well-stocked promotion at the entranc
3 comments
Read more

Overcoming a price disadvantage

Planning for his speech at the Independent Achievers Academy last week, Theo Paphitis asked an assistant to buy a basket of six essentials from a Tesco, a Londis (independent operator in a symbol group) and a One Stop (Tesco's CTN/convenience chain). Tesco was cheapest by a big margin. Second came Londis. The most expensive was One Stop. Mr Paphitis understands the power of the supermarkets and he says the way to counter them is to focus on how to make the experience of shopping with you more relevant to shoppers or more enjoyable for them. John Heynan, sales director of Molson Coors, told Retail Newsagent at about the same time that occasional beer buyers will pay 13 per cent more for their beer in an independent convenience store, provided the retailer targets them appropriately. Tesco has carved itself out this 13 per cent head start. Looking at pricing, if Tesco is 100, then Tesco Express is 108, One Stop is 112, a good symbol group is 115 and non-affiliated independents
2 comments
Read more

A sign of retail stress perhaps

It must have been four months since this window was broken in the Tesco Express on Pentonville Road and I simply cannot believe that it has not been fixed. This is the sort of lack of focus that independent shops usually get criticised for. The only purpose in sharing this image is to encourage those independents with high standards who are finding the going tough that they can do better than this.
3 comments
Read more