TNG RETAIL SERVICES BLOG

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.

GETTING YOURSELF TO A GOOD PLACE

TNG Retail Services understands the current climate’s stress levels and how we are ALL effected by it. No matter your status in life, stress and uncertainty affects us all, and we all have different ways of dealing with it. To continue the focus on our Team Members’ well-being and everyone we interact with, we are highlighting September as Self-Care Awareness Month. We want to take this time and provide resources, experiences and suggestions people can incorporate into their daily lives, should they choose. We want us all to be our best selves and to maintain a healthy and progressive lifestyle.

Focus on your health and positive life situations, and you can handle any challenge that comes your way.

Change is difficult; even more so when it is unexpected and continues to open new hurdles as each day passes. Today’s current social and economic climate creates a constant unrest with many uncertainties. 

Essential Services are synonymous now more than ever with the year 2020.  Everyday items and tasks once seen as instinctual, are now scrutinized and strategized.  The public demands a constant supply of these services but are at the ready to analyze HOW people involved are acting in their surroundings. 

Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, the retail and grocery ‘worlds’ stepped up their game.  There was no option of shutting down, only ramping up.  Delivery and carry-out service initiatives were made high priorities.  An increase in personnel and hours were needed to fulfill new procedures.  All of this done with low-inventoried cleaner, gloves and masks.

As we begin working toward a return to ‘normal’ or as most are calling the ‘new normal’, and consumer package companies are considering re-starting in-store brand and promotional activities, this ‘new normal’ changes how to more effectively do that.  

I just attended a Path To Purchase IQ webinar. Click here to link to their website. Organizers of these events must be enjoying the unprecedented numbers attending these days. 

I was certainly impressed by the value of the content provided. What really caught my attention was the reminder that the retail experience has changed and likely that change will be permanent. This will require consumer product goods companies to change how they go to market with their products.  How they create brand experience and launch promotional campaigns may also be significantly altered.