New organic grocery concept is an educational experience
Photo: Market 5-ONE-5
West Coast regional grocer Raley's is introducing an element of education into its new organic store concept.
The concept, named Market 5-ONE-FIVE, opened earlier this month in Sacramento, CA, promising to feature in-store experts such as chefs, "foodies," urban farmers and a dietitian, according to an article in Produce Retailer. The company positions education as one of the store concept's key pillars and says that it hopes to take the guesswork out of customers' understanding of nutrition.
The Market 5-ONE-5 website’s education section gives examples of meet and greets with local farmers and talking to deli experts as ways the store works to inform customers.
In-store classes and other educational resources have become a more common part of the retail experience in recent years. Whole Foods customers can find extensive in-store educational experiences at the chain's flagships. The Whole Foods location in Lincoln Park, Chicago, for instance, features a full calendar of cooking classes, wine appreciation classes and demonstrations.
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Photo: Market 5-ONE-5[/caption]
Outside of grocery, the Apple Store is known for its continually growing list of tech workshops and training sessions that teach customers how to get the most out of the Apple products they purchase.
Even mass retailers like Target are trying to move toward a model that relies more on store staff expertise and knowledge. Earlier this year Target CEO Brian Cornell announced a shift in strategy toward hiring experts to staff each department in its stores.
Raley's has been pursuing expansion beyond the introduction of the new concept. The chain acquired five Scolari Food & Drug stores and one Sak 'N Save in Nevada in recent months, according to Supermarket News. The Scolari stores will reopen as Raley's locations, and the Sak 'N Save will remain under its own banner. This will bring Raley's total store count to 128 in California and Nevada.
- Raley's launches new concept focused on organic, nutrition and education – Produce Retailer
- About Us – Market 5-ONE-5
- Lincoln Park's Cooking Classroom – Whole Foods Market
- How personal can Target's customer service get? – RetailWire
- Raley’s brings acquired Scolari’s stores under its banner – Supermarket News