While the supply chain is still disrupted and inflation is rising, consumers are still spending at grocery stores as COVID restrictions have lifted. This summer, we can look forward to gatherings with friends and family, BBQs, and picnics outside. And shoppers are looking forward to spring produce and seasonal items. Here are three ways to get your grocery store ready for Summer.
Create Displays that Celebrate the Season
Even though we can get watermelon in December and pumpkins in July, customers look forward to switching from heavy winter meals to fresh summer fare. As the days are lighter and warmer, customers are looking for fresh meat, summer fruits and vegetables, and items related to holidays like Memorial Day.
According to the New York Times, sales of local products have increased during the coronavirus pandemic. While consumers may appreciate supporting local businesses, retailers may find less supply-chain constraints with local distributors. In a recent article in Produce Business, they reiterate that customers like knowing where their produce and meats come from and that sharing that information “becomes a way to engage consumers and, potentially, get them to try something new.”
Although inflation might make creating discounts more difficult for independent grocers, refreshed displays can help highlight seasonal items. Grocery Equipment Sales sources good quality used and refurbished equipment items for your bakery, produce, deli, and other store departments, including display cases.
Brighten the Store
In addition to spring displays, retailers can get their stores summer-ready by literally brightening things up. Progressive Grocer writes that LED lighting is a way to enhance a store’s appearance and the customer experience. Color-rendering technology with LED lights “can make colors appear more vivid, enticing customers to pick up that vibrantly green kale, those bright-red strawberries and that juicy red steak,” they write. LED lights can make sure that colors are saturated or oversatured, making them look as good as possible. Vivid Energies works with small and large retailers to create customized LED solutions. Retailers can make their stores appear fresher and brighter with LED lights for the summer and any season. Vivid Energies can also save retailers up to 33% on energy costs, with no upfront cost for installation and very attractive financing plans.
Freshen Older Equipment to Get Your Grocery Store Ready for Summer
Saying goodbye to winter does inspire spring cleaning. An easy way to freshen up is to replace old and worn equipment around the grocery store. The Peggs Company offers a full suite of grocery equipment, from carts to handbaskets. They work with retailers on customized solutions, with either new or refurbished products. If your equipment is not ready to be replaced but just in need of servicing, Supermarket Parts Warehouse has everything you need to keep your cases running. SMPW delivers savings of 30% on original equipment manufacturer costs.
Contact us today to learn more about our Vendor Partners and how they can help get your grocery store ready for summer.