Covid-19 turned the world on its head.  We're defining new norms and what once made sense, is up for individual assumption and acceptance. Especially throughout the United States.  The Real Estate market had an astronomical increase rate over the last two years with no signs of correction, pet shelters' inventory is at an all-time low (YAY!) and auto-lots are practically begging people to trade-in their vehicles; almost making non-classic cars an appreciating asset.  Analysts are on a non-stop statistical hunt with our consumption and spending. 

What about shopping trends within retail? 

The masks are coming off and America is opening up.  The newest CDC regulations have sparked a new wave of interactions, and people are beginning to step back into the social light.  And, they're bringing pre-Covid practices with them.

Ever wonder why supermarkets look the same, or how and why product location is universal to certain retail chains?

SAS Retail Services is one of the top experts when it comes to inputting merchandising plans and executing Planograms, or as the industry gurus would say, POGs. POGs are used in the merchandising industry as an organizational tool for stores to take their visual standards and make them come to life!

It’s why you as a consumer can walk into chains across America and know your way around without too many interruptions. Sometimes you’ll see a POG in action with empty shelves, or aisles temporarily denying access. We as consumers may find it troublesome and scoff at the ‘Please excuse our mess’ signs, but what we don’t see are the many people who make these ‘disaster zones’ turnaround in a matter of hours. What we see as inconvenient, they see as a puzzle, a plan, and then a well-executed, team-oriented work-of-art.

As with so many things, Millennials are making changes and redefining how we think about customer experience. Shopper types have changed and continue to evolve. The relentless rise of on-line continues to shape expectations at store level also. Shoppers and consumers are certainly more educated today and peer reviews play into expectations as well creating fluidity of loyalty. No doubt, exceeding expectations at the point of purchase is key in gaining market share, across all industries. For grocers, the opportunities to continue capture this demographic are rife. Most especially, the HBC (health and beauty care) and GM (general merchandise) categories have so much potential to introduce unique products that appeal.