Grocery workers are essential service providers who many may overlook during this pandemic.  They increased their efforts [across the world/nation] while adding in Covid-19 safety precautions of extra cleaning, expanded maintenance and no-contact online programs.

How do you encourage customers to shop, but also get them to do it quickly and efficiently?

Consumers, with the change in routine and habits are making different choices than they were even eight months ago. There has been a definite shift where money is being spent and this requires grocery retailers to act and change up stores in response to that shift. I recently attended a Supermarket News industry webinar that highlighted some of those changes. Some were surprising, others were not. Here’s a broad sweep list:

We are Ready With a Playbook

This year may escalate unprecedented changes to the grocery retail environment. Grocery retail, despite having a boon year for growth had previously been challenged on many fronts and the current economic climate, among other things, may mount those challenged retailers.
Amazon’s stronghold in the e-commerce space was made even stronger by consumers sheltering in place and trip consolidation. Direct to consumer companies are also gaining market. Shopper behavior, which has been shaping store sets and sizes, may also see dramatic changes. Categories that were often an afterthought at retail have come to the forefront.

Sleep is so important! Although the amount of sleep required varies person to person, lack of sleep is linked to increased stress, burnout and can also cause cardiovascular disease over time. There are only a few (1-3% of the population) that are part of the ‘sleepless elite’: those that only require 5-6 hours and are able to function with continued high performance.

We all know a healthy diet is what we are supposed to practice. More than a century ago the United States Department of Agriculture began its healthy eating habits journey as a way to inspire people to think about what they consume and explore healthy habits. Familiar to many is the Food Guide Pyramid, recently changed twice since 2005 to represent the constant scientific studies changing what healthy eating habits look and taste like.

As the second position in M.E.D.S., EXERCISE may seem the most attainable, but can be one of the most difficult to sustain.  Exercise must challenge you in order to make an impact. A workout is just that: WORK. This doesn't have to mean forking over hundreds of dollars for a crazy-intense program. It simply means adding physical activity to your daily/weekly routine that was not previously there.  And, that can be difficult. You must work past your comfort zone, and here is where many of us fall short. Our own Shey P. describes how she still needs that beginning push to get her through her new program:

Meditation and Mental Health

This week, we focus on Meditation; primarily the importance of Mental Health and the paths we can take to keep each of our own healthy and in a ‘good place.’ This can be a challenge especially during time of uncertainty and unexpected changes. With the added stress of COVID-19 (Coronavirus,) our norms are flipped upside down and our daily lives along with them. This type of stress can wreak havoc on your mind. It can also leave even the most level-headed person feeling nervous. And, how about those who already battle with previous/current mental challenges? The constant worry, the anxiety of the unknown and the angst we all feel of just wanting this to be over can be overwhelming.

We all experience management on many different levels. Many agree good management begins with communication. What we do not always realize is communication is a very broad term which stretches far beyond person to person. Especially in a technologically advanced world, communication is available on so many different platforms. At TNG Retail Services, we combine technology and communication every day to make our services and our clients’ management capabilities the best.