Roundy's CEO Robert Mariano knows Chicago. Back in the 1990s, he ran the Dominick's chain so well that Safeway thought it was worth buying. A few years back when Roundy's announced it would open its first stores in the Chicagoland market, Mr. Mariano bragged his company of "entrepreneurs and merchants" would achieve success against the plain vanilla competition.
Mr. Mariano is a confident man as Roundy's is finally getting around to opening its first stores in the Chicago area. He's so confident, in fact, that his name will be on the banner.
Mariano's Fresh Market, opening for business in Arlington Heights and Lakeshore East, "will reflect old-world adherence to quality and personal service, blended with Mariano's signature approach to supermarket innovation," according to a Roundy's press release.
The store will focus on fresh and prepared foods in a full-service shopping environment. Mr. Mariano promised the stores would deliver "the aisle by aisle selection and the value every shopper deserves."
The Lakeshore East store will be the first full-service grocery store to open in Chicago's downtown in many years, according to Roundy's. The store is part of a new condo development on East Randolph Street.
Mr. Mariano promised that all stores Roundy's opens will take a local approach.
"We want our customers to know that Mariano's Fresh Market intends to be fully immersed in the fabric of our communities. We take this responsibility very seriously and are already developing plans to activate our long term dedication to the neighborhoods we will serve," he said.
Discussion Questions: What do you think of Roundy's chances in the Chicagoland market? Is naming its stores after the company CEO going to have an appreciable effect (positive or negative) on consumer perception of the new grocer in town?