Monday’s gone…what’s next?
by columbus, January 23, 2009 | Permalink
So, about two years ago we started this tasting event on Mondays. It was kind of a slow start, but after three months it really took off. Eventually, we were preparing over 5000 samples for customers who had adjusted their shopping day simply to come in to experience this event and the food.
As you can imagine, making 10 different dishes for 500 people is quite the task (to say the least) and we adjusted to our own detriment. It became more like shoveling food instead of creating cuisine, a scarf fest instead of engaged gastro-conversation. Attendance trailed off, but we were never able to bring our game back up to par. So, we thought, let’s reincarnate the event. We tried turning it into a “live cooking show.” When that didn’t work, we tried to swank up the event with hip (albeit obscure) themes and we hired a totally funky DJ! Of course, we couldn’t afford to have the DJ all the time so that eventually didn’t work either. Now we have moved onto yet another theme: “Family Night Out,” which focuses on a children’s activity and a kid-friendly food demo.
We share all of this with you because now, that’s not working and we need something else. So, we’re takin’ it to the people. Tell us what to do next. Please.
Categories: Store Events
3 Responses to “Monday’s gone…what’s next?”
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January 29th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Other Whole Foods have facebook pages. Not sure if theyre official, but itd be a good way to keep the events on peoples minds. You could do some in store advertisement of the page, ask if theyd like to be added (and take info), or have the cashiers mention it to the customers. Then post the events there and invite all “friends” or “fans”. Many of your customers are very loyal, such as myself. We come in, we get our food, we look at new products, and we checkout, never bothering to look at the calandar (which doesnt directly face them, and lame as it is, it makes a huge difference). Advertising free food…free any thing really, in the right way will get people flooding into the store. Also, as much as family activities are needed, it doesnt seem like the type of thing that most people would have the time or patience for. Plus it alienates singles, or childless couples.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Hello,
I am just moving up from Texas next week to your lovely town. I just stopped by to see if my fave grocery was there so I knew where to find it when I went out to shop.
I own a catering company presently and I see your delima. I shop at Sams club for my business all the time and I have to say the way they do the little tastings on the weekends are a big hit. Also, they do a sampling during the weekdays. It is only for an hour. There are lines and lines waiting to taste the food items presented. When it is gone, it is gone. You just have to wait till your next shopping trip or return on the weekend and hope for the best. Which ever it may be, it keeps them coming back for more! The tasty treats they offer are always gourmet products that they promote during the limited free offerings and they sell! The “free” offering are only a small portion on a toothpick or napkin. You are certainly waisting your time, energy and money by trying to feed and please everyone. Check it out! CC
December 13th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
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