Grocery stores are under threat. Many people no longer shop in small shops in their neighborhoods, preferring to jump in their cars and drive to big box stores for grocery shopping.
To survive, grocery stores must provide a service that differentiates them from the big box stores and brings value to the customer. They need to give people a reason to shop in their stores. To do that, they need to plan before constructing a grocery store to ensure people will love shopping there.
Pick A Suitable Contractor
You can construct the perfect, successful grocery store in three ways. You can build one from scratch on a plot of land, convert an empty building into a grocery store, or renovate and expand your existing store. Whichever way you do it, you must ensure your creation stays within budget, and there are no complications during building.
To do that, you need to pick a suitable building contractor. The contractor you pick should have a proven record of being able to complete complex construction projects that require the submission of standard documentation. They also should have a track record of managing complex projects and building in multiple phases.
If you are building a new building to open your store, ensure the contractors have experience laying gas pipelines. In the United States, miles of pipelines are laid every year and have caused almost 300 explosions. You don’t want to be one of the statistics.
Make The Grocery Store A Safe Space
Most grocery store shoppers get there by walking. It means that you need walking traffic for your store to be profitable. People will not walk to a store where they don’t feel safe. To make your customers feel safe and your store inviting, you could install a fence around the perimeter area of your store. Statistics show that investing in a fenced-off area has a 65% return on investment. If the area directly next to your store is separated from public areas, you can remove loiterers and other unsavory characters from outside your doors.
If you are renovating and expanding your current store, you will also need to ensure that there are as few disruptions for your customers as possible. Keep checking that the building work does not put your customers in danger. For instance, if you need to relocate any of your utilities to another part of the building, the logistics of those moves need to be well-planned. You may need to install temporary coolers or gas lines and ventilation systems for your temporary ovens. You must communicate well with the builders, staff, and customers to coordinate these tasks.
Differentiate Your Store To Target Your Ideal Customers
To ensure that you get loyal customers, you need to provide value, and the customer needs to see you as being better than other stores to choose you for repeat purchases. One strategy that many small grocery store owners use is customization.
You may want to customize how your store looks and how easy it is for customers to pop in for a quick purchase. Some grocery stores want to be known for providing great produce that is always fresh. Still, others may want to sell a wide range of international food products. Having one main value proposition that your store is known for is a great way to attract customers.
Another way to ensure you provide value to your customers is to make sure your store is accessible to people living with disabilities. Many accidental injuries result in disabilities. On average, there are 11,200 disabling accidents every hour each year. If you make your store wheelchair accessible, you will get more customers, and they will appreciate the value your store provides.
Constructing a grocery store can be a complex business. Hire an experienced and professional building construction team to ensure your project is successful. Ensure that your store remains safe during the building process and that your customers feel safe visiting your store. Finally, ensure you provide great service and that people know your store’s main focus.
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