By Kim Zimmermann, Managing Editor
I have spent a good chunk of my career covering the supermarket industry, which was pointed to consistently as a laggard when it came to technology. On some counts, it is a deserving label.
But things are changing, and progressive supermarkets are ramping up their technology efforts, especially when it comes to interacting with consumers.
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One example is Raley’s, which recently upgraded its technology to help identify social advocates and encourage consumers to register for its rewards program. Getting the fan base excited is a good move.
People are VERY passionate about their supermarkets. They rate them on their cleanliness, the freshness of their produce and prices, just to name a few categories. In the days before social media, my mother and her friends would often discuss what they liked about the shopping experience at their favorite supermarkets and their loyalties were fierce.
While Amazon may be getting into the food business, and people are becoming more comfortable shopping for their groceries on line, nothing is quite like picking out your own melon and tomatoes. If your customers love your store, it makes sense to make it easy for them to spread the word.
