I grew up in  very small town.  So small, that I knew every first, middle and last name of every student in my graduating class.  Mostly because I had grown up with the same classmates since kindergarten.  It was a sort of community where change rarely happened, and when it did, an opinionated wave of uproar and rabble spread, regardless of the change's origin or intent.  

Change is scary. But, change is also exciting.  It affords new opportunities, a chance to take what you've learned and apply it more accurately: an avenue of correcting and/or perfecting previous performances. Change encourages us to grow and evolve.  Sometimes, it delivers the avenue of growth we were not afforded.  

Have you noticed, it seems like everyone has a new pet. On Facebook, a show of hands in any social group proves many caved and bought a pandemic puppy. Comments range from hell yes, to huge excitement surrounding the new fur baby (and a million pictures). Some raise their hands with some embarrassment (with pictures and pup names also included).

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly one in three of Americans adopted a pet, according to the Insurance Research Council’s October 2020 report and 85 million families own a pet." ^1. In 2020, the pet category market size was $104 Billion. ²

So why are we, as SAS Retail Services, writing about the uptick in the purchase of puppies? At retail, the pet category is a complex category with multiple manufacturers, much variety, many, many SKUs. It's a category that can be quite profitable for retailers. It's also a category that, like those young pups, is HIGH MAINTENANCE. Here's a recent Supermarket News article about some of the challenges.

Keeping in stock is key and people just really like purchasing for their pets, so introducing a well-thought-through variety of products is also important. That's where we can help. Call us complex category crazy, but we love working these categories, and we are experts.

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? 

We are ready in a moment's notice.

Crisis can have so many meanings.  At SAS Retail Services, we see a crisis as an opportunity to go above and beyond.  Though Spring is upon us, Winter left some areas with a crisis as a parting gift.  

As a ferocious ice storm blew through the Northwest, one of the Safeway grocery stores in Portland, OR was hit hard.  The roof collapsed, the interior structure compromised and a frontline food establishment was shut down, leaving many without that needed grocery location.

We were called, and without hesitation, our Team began picking up the pieces. Clean-up immediately transpired.  For safety, the interior was only accessed by Albertson personnel and constructions teams. 

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.

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: