and Relationships

Remember, food is an emotional purchase.  Today’s food enthusiast will buy steak from you because from you it has a story and a process of preparation not found in giant food retailers. People may frequent your store because they have known the checkout person all their lives or because your store is closest to their home.  Whatever the reason, having that personal relationship and comfort with the person you are specialty food buying from is something only a smaller, more personal and more specialized market can offer.   

The challenge is to find the price point that people will pay over larger and cheaper grocery outlets for what you can offer in service and product quality. Once you have discovered what your customers are willing to pay for the personal attention or the novelty of a specialty food product, set your ambition on enhancing and exceed their expectations.

Despite seeming cold, can add a personal touch to your relationship.  A number of retailers are using email to build relationships. They aren’t just responding to customer’s questions, but are also communicating about sales, new products, upcoming events and filling special orders all as a means to gain customer’s loyalty.