Product requests at your Grocery store
So much talk about different grocery stores got me thinking about the trouble I sometimes go through to get all of my favourite products. I often like different brands or products that different stores carry so I end up running all over the place for bits and pieces each week. I got thinking, have any of you had succes in asking the manager at your grocery store to start carrying a particular product or brand? and how would I go about that?( I usually shop at Loblaws on Lakeshore for most things and then run about for the few products they dont carry, if that makes a difference).
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In my area the major grocers are local chains. I have had success asking my local market to carry several products. Their web site has a place to do so. I've struck out, as well as had success. I successfully requested Muir's Glen tomatoes and, lately, Fage yogurt.
Another poster recomended doing this at an independent grocer, and I think that might be a good plan. But what do you lose by asking your local chain outpost?
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I've always had an easy time doing special orders through Whole Foods and Harris Teeter. Most of the time I just ask the department manager, or specialist to order in whatever I'm looking for. Eventually, they just start stocking the item if I'm nice and ask for a "special order" enough times.
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One problem the chains have, is that they have to follow authorised listings, meaning that each chains head office must approve something before the store can order it, vendors must present and often pay "listing fees" to get approvals, most of the time the store has very little input into what is on the shelves if it is not in their approved list. That is why the true independants are so easily able to accomodate requests, and is why it is so important to "support the little guy", the independants are often responsible for the success or failure of the more obscure products out there, and when that new "obscure" product launches well, then the chains grab it, sell it for less than the little guy and hurt his business.
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Not sure how Loblaw's would handle such a request but I can say I've had success at small independent grocers such as Summerhill Market. I requested on more than one occasion for them to carry something in particular and lo and behold a few weeks later, it's on the shelf. You can't beat personalized service like that. Sadly to say, the first challenge at my local Loblaw's would be in finding someone to even talk to!! I also shop at Leslie and Lakeshore.
