2017Issue2_Alabama_v6

OUTSIDE THE BOX

Millennial Mambo

Millennials just don’t buy groceries and Donald Trump never had a chance of becoming president either. Right? Well, the latter has been disproved and now from the UK comes evidence that Millennials might be the best supermarket customers yet. Nielsen Homescan in the UK found that households where 16 to 35-year-olds are the main shoppers, grocery spending has increased 7.9 percent–far stronger than other groups. The conclusion? Millennials are freeing up more of their hard earned dollars for groceries and shop more frequently. However, the study also shows that Millennials are increasing spending at discounters and bargain stores like Aldi, where sales among that group increased 46% over the past year.

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Sometimes, customer service can go a bit too far. Three Squirrels, a growing Chinese e-commerce brand that sells nuts and snacks, uses cartoon squirrel mascots on its logo and commercials. But customer service employees also play the role of pet squirrels with squirrel-related nicknames and address shoppers as their “owners.” Apparently this oh-so-cutesy strategy Nuts to You!

A N e w E r a

According to Adobe, online sales on Black Friday grew 21% over last year to $3.3 billion. In fact, Target noted that target.com had its best day ever on Thanksgiving, with sales up double digits.

works, especially with Chinese Millennials who see the company’s products as a healthy, youth-focused brand.

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Service with a Bark

Is Fido in a hurry for a new bone or is kitty craving a new scratching post? Now no

one has to wait thanks to PetSmart, which has started offering same-day delivery through Deliv, a Silicon Valley startup. The service is available in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, San Jose, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Miami,

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Seattle, and Chicago, with eight additional markets soon to come on stream.

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ALABAMA GROCER |