Grocery Stores (Oklahoma City: restaurant, licensed, bill)

[happytown]

It sucks, but it will happen in due time. The only thing I am concerned about is the economy outside of OK. I think it might take a local to invest, which isnt easy.

This might help, dunno....http://okcsaturdaymarket.com/homepage.html

[Goodpasture]

Retailers (including food retailers) put on their shelves what people want. A large number of Oklahoma citizens do not have sophisticated tastes. Many actually LIKE Macaroni and Cheese (at 5 boxes for a buck). I saw a bag at the supermarket a few days ago that consisted of a "crock pot meal" complete with veggies and chunks of meat.

Part of this is from economics. People eat what they grow up eating, which is why we have really good chicken fried steaks and cream gravy and biscuits, but a quiche is something no one is sure about, although it takes no more time and little difference in money to make a good one of either. You can also see economics affecting the way people eat by their weight. High starch/high carb food is cheaper than good food. Combine that with the advertisements saying that a family dinner at home can be had by picking up a bucket on the way home from work, and you have a society that does not prepare good food, healthy food, or balanced diets.

But, like I said, the super markets sell what people ask for. If you have a desire for improved selections, ask the market manager to get it for you.....they are always up to get something that will sell that no one else carries, and they like being known for their customer service.

If I were going to do a concerted push for improved selection, I would get three or four people to go to their own markets, and everyone ask for the same thing. Regional marketers, getting a request for "Stoneybrook plain yogurt" from three or four stores might decide to start carrying it throughout their chain. I did this several years ago with a soft drink made with cane sugar rather than corn syrup. made the same request in several of their stores, did it several times over the course of a couple of months, and I began seeing it on the shelves as a permanent product line. I guess my taste was reflected by enough of the market as a whole to sustain it as a product offering. I've done this more than once and it always seems to work.

[TimC2462]

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

Retailers (including food retailers) put on their shelves what people want. A large number of Oklahoma citizens do not have sophisticated tastes. Many actually LIKE Macaroni and Cheese (at 5 boxes for a buck). I saw a bag at the supermarket a few days ago that consisted of a "crock pot meal" complete with veggies and chunks of meat.

Part of this is from economics. People eat what they grow up eating, which is why we have really good chicken fried steaks and cream gravy and biscuits, but a quiche is something no one is sure about, although it takes no more time and little difference in money to make a good one of either. You can also see economics affecting the way people eat by their weight. High starch/high carb food is cheaper than good food. Combine that with the advertisements saying that a family dinner at home can be had by picking up a bucket on the way home from work, and you have a society that does not prepare good food, healthy food, or balanced diets.

But, like I said, the super markets sell what people ask for. If you have a desire for improved selections, ask the market manager to get it for you.....they are always up to get something that will sell that no one else carries, and they like being known for their customer service.

If I were going to do a concerted push for improved selection, I would get three or four people to go to their own markets, and everyone ask for the same thing. Regional marketers, getting a request for "Stoneybrook plain yogurt" from three or four stores might decide to start carrying it throughout their chain. I did this several years ago with a soft drink made with cane sugar rather than corn syrup. made the same request in several of their stores, did it several times over the course of a couple of months, and I began seeing it on the shelves as a permanent product line. I guess my taste was reflected by enough of the market as a whole to sustain it as a product offering. I've done this more than once and it always seems to work.

Mr. Goodpasture is a 100% right from the marketing standpoint. If he had taken my final exam in Consumer Marketing last week, I'm sure I would've gotten a better score...

I don't live in Oklahoma, like all other cities, I do think OKC will have a more variety of selections in time. I've seen it happen to a good number of cities, at least here in California.

Tim C.

[Liquor Law Pa]

We will never be attractive to high end grocers like Whole Foods until we change these archaic liquor laws. Wine and beer sales are a huge boost to their bottom line. We need to start a coalition and petition the OKC Chamber of Commerce to assist us in an initiative to repeal these laws!

[okcpulse]

Originally Posted by Liquor Law Pa

We will never be attractive to high end grocers like Whole Foods until we change these archaic liquor laws. Wine and beer sales are a huge boost to their bottom line. We need to start a coalition and petition the OKC Chamber of Commerce to assist us in an initiative to repeal these laws!

This has been explained many times before. Liquor laws DO NOT effect whether high end grocery stores come to the state. Whole Foods has a location in Tulsa, as well as Kansas, Colorado and Utah, all states that only allow 3.2 beer outside the liquor store.

However, I do agree. I'd like to see grocery stores in Oklahoma carry wine and real beer.

[klife]

If you love high prices and poor service shop the coop. $100 dollars for a roast? These people are making a killing off of stupid people who fall for the hype!

[toyota2003]

I moved here from Maryland And it is sad that the best grocery store here in Oklahoma City is Walmart. As they say "Is this a great state or what" Ha Ha
If I knew then what I know now I would never have moved here. The only thing cheap here is housing.

[okcpulse]

Originally Posted by Liquor Law Pa

We will never be attractive to high end grocers like Whole Foods until we change these archaic liquor laws. Wine and beer sales are a huge boost to their bottom line. We need to start a coalition and petition the OKC Chamber of Commerce to assist us in an initiative to repeal these laws!

FYI, the Oklahoma Wine Association along with the Oklahoma Grocers Association is pushing legislation for allowing grocery stores to carry wine. If passed, it will be on the general election ballot.

I also hear that beer manufacturers are contemplating ending production on 3.2 beer because that market is shrinking. But that is not a credible source, so we will see.

[okcpulse]

Originally Posted by toyota2003

I moved here from Maryland And it is sad that the best grocery store here in Oklahoma City is Walmart. As they say "Is this a great state or what" Ha Ha
If I knew then what I know now I would never have moved here. The only thing cheap here is housing.

Actually, I prefer SuperTarget. Not sure what side of the city you live on, but Crest Foods is stepping up to the plate with the construction of a Crest Fresh Market that will be opened on the south side of OKC near Moore in 2010. From what I have been told, it is going to be really nice.

And don't forget who cornered the OKC grocery market... that would be Wal-Mart. I have a huge disliking for Wal-Mart. I worked in an Edmond supermarket from 1997-2000 and watched as Wal-Mart subsequently choked the life out of OKC's market. I hope Crest and others can turn it back around by offering MUCH better services.

[flintysooner]

Wal-Mart has done a pretty good job of upgrading recently. The aisles are wider and the stores have been rearranged and stock improved as well as lighting improved among other things. I've been told that customer input contributed to the changes. Formidable competitor.

There's a new Crest being built at SW 104th and May that looks very promising. Also a formidable competitor.