Archived NEW FLOW TM thoughts about leadership

[Hardlinesmaster]

Watch your stock. Is the best way to know.

 

[Penrose]

I don’t think it is time to leave the boat yet.

If I were the CEO, I would focus on expanding the selection of fresh prepared foods – that’s what PFRESH should be about.

I would also add a dinner area – not just Starbucks. Something like this:

Customer experience means increasing the time people spent shopping at your store. Let them shop and dine! That I think is the key to staying competitive.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Spot did have that at super spots. Then they took it away. 🙁

 

[Penrose]

Spot did have that at super spots. Then they took it away. 🙁

I wonder why. I hear PFRESH has low ROIC, and prices are not even competitive to other big food retailers like Wal-Mart or Costco.

I really see fresh prepared foods and a place for guests to socialize as the key to how Target can differentiate itself.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

I wonder why. I hear PFRESH has low ROIC, and prices are not even competitive to other big food retailers like Wal-Mart or Costco.

I really see fresh prepared foods and a place for guests to socialize as the key to how Target can differentiate itself.

The sales were not there, supposedly. But, i did like the food & choices.

 

[Penrose]

The sales were not there, supposedly. But, i did like the food & choices.

Maybe it hasn't caught on yet. Sometimes, it is not good to be early.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Maybe it hasn't caught on yet. Sometimes, it is not good to be early.

That happened 2 years when was Gregg was in charged.

 

[Penrose]

That happened 2 years when was Gregg was in charged.

It's very important that once you identified a potential success to actually stay in that course. Sometimes, adoption is slow. Don't be discouraged by a few bad quarters. Keep finding ways to increase consumer engagement.

I think Target is in the right path to not just compete through prices, but focus on offering quality and exclusive brands.

I see a big opportunity here. No retail has yet been able to figure out how to fully exploit the fresh prepared foods market -- but I think someday, this will be the big thing. People will flock to retail store for the "experience" -- for the food scene, and not simply to buy stuff. This will become a very important advantage in the future.

It's just sad that sometimes the shareholders can be very impatient, wanting immediate result. They do not learn from the past.

 

[Penrose]

This idea came up to me after staying at Starbucks after every shift, and observing that there were several repeat customers, and loyal patrons who comes to target almost every single day. Grandmothers and her grandchildren, old couples, friends just hanging out there--enjoying themselves. Our location has other restaurants nearby but somehow these same group of people choose to be inside the Target store. I find that very interesting!!!

While working at Pfresh -- that's when I thought that maybe instead of the lunchables or other frozen items stocked in the horizontal fridge, I imagined, this should be an area where the freshly prepared foods are!!

I really feel strongly about these ideas, I wish this can be looked at again.

I think corporate might be afraid to try out something "new" right now, but you know what, that's the nature of business. You need to keep trying, to keep moving forward even amidst a big failure.

I imagine Archer Farm brands in these food packages.

 

[Westcoast7]

i could see target just leasing out its grocery and let it be handled that way. They have left the pharmacies be taken over

 

[Penrose]

i could see target just leasing out its grocery and let it be handled that way. They have left the pharmacies be taken over

Well, maybe the pharmacy wasn't a bad move..

I think food is something that Target can do really well. Having another company take that opportunity would be regrettable.

 

[Penrose]

I felt the need to make this suggestion to my supervisor, but I don't know how to make that approach because I am not sure if he is able to even make the change happen or I am not even sure if he is open to suggestions coming from me.

I wanted to do a small experiment by putting a small food prepared kiosk near the cashier area. Even in just one cashier booth. I also think placing it near the Starbucks is good idea.

Our prepared food section is kind of hidden somewhere. I would like it to be more visible.

I don't know If we can afford to make that test even in just a month.

How much does the fridge cost? Are they allowed to switch things around? Do they need approval to make a decision on what items to promote?


What elements should I include to make a good case about this?

When should I talk to him? During the break, maybe. There is just so many people, and I am really a shy person. Maybe early in the morning before work?

I have anxiety talking to people. Can I just hand him a report? LOL .

I guess, most importantly, do you guys think I should go for it?

Well, the worst thing that can happen is him rejecting it, and thinking I am a nuisance.

 

[Westcoast7]

Sorry but he doesn't even make those decisions. Get your degrees and move up to corporate then relay those ideas

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Spot took away the sample stations. But, just ask fa or Starbucks for samples trays & the walking thing.

 

[redeye58]

There used to be a TM contact called "Let Us Know"; it was a way for TMs to send up ideas for consideration.
I sent up a few ideas years back (when I was still idealistic) & got a form letter back thanking me for my feedback but not addressing any of the ideas directly.
Less than two years later two of my ideas were implemented (can't say what they were). I wasn't looking for any compensation because you're idea does become company property, I just wanted acknowledgement for something I thought would make Target a little more of a stand-out.
A popular groc chain in my state has portable rolling coolers (top loading) that would be ideal for your concept.
Given that we carry some of these dinner prep kits (fresh produce, herbs, seasonings to make a meal - just add meat), I think your idea would be great for busy families. Having them near the checklanes would be great for impulse buy.

 

[Penrose]

There used to be a TM contact called "Let Us Know"; it was a way for TMs to send up ideas for consideration.
I sent up a few ideas years back (when I was still idealistic) & got a form letter back thanking me for my feedback but not addressing any of the ideas directly.
Less than two years later two of my ideas were implemented (can't say what they were). I wasn't looking for any compensation because you're idea does become company property, I just wanted acknowledgement for something I thought would make Target a little more of a stand-out.

That sounds awful, redeye58. I wish they realize that some of the best ideas can come from the unlikeliest of places, or at least NOT from paid experts who sometimes suffer from group think.

A popular groc chain in my state has portable rolling coolers (top loading) that would be ideal for your concept.

Given that we carry some of these dinner prep kits (fresh produce, herbs, seasonings to make a meal - just add meat)

Thanks redeye58, yes, a portable rolling coolers near a checklane or in front of Starbucks. I even think that this would be popular for fellow team members staying in the breakroom for lunch or breaks.

I know, I will buy one myself.

I think your idea would be great for busy families. Having them near the checklanes would be great for impulse buy.

True, people will not be able to resist the food after all that shopping.


Oh well, I am still thinking on telling my supervisor just so he knows I am serious about the job, and I care about Target, and would like to be considered for leadership position one day.

I am not counting on him acting out on my suggestions. I will respect whatever response is given especially coz this is really out of the blue for him—he’d probably be puzzled why I said these things.

 

[redeye58]

You might pitch it first as an added impulse buy: Create protein packs a la Starbucks (HB egg, fruit, cheese) & stock those with bottled OJ or Bolthouse-type drinks at opening.
Then switch to salads, lunch kits, bottled water/juice during the lunch hour (11-ish).
Then start filling it with dinner fare say around 4pm; that's when moms are picking up the kids & trying to figure out dinner.

 

[Penrose]

Just got back from grocery shopping from Walmart and Costco – none of which has really good prepared food section.

Thank you. I didn’t think about the details yet, so thanks for suggesting some specifics.

I am really enthusiastic about this, and I felt even more confident with you helping me out.

I appreciate the help.

 

[redeye58]

If they could station one at ea end of the checklanes (or even only one near the groc side), they could also use them for events: snack foods for super bowl, sides & desserts for Thanksgiving, buffet items for Christmas parties, fruit & veggie boxes for picnics, etc.
The possibilities really are endless.

 

[Penrose]

In my fantasy, I imagine talking to my supervisor, and telling him about my commitment in helping Target become a leading retailer. I then followed that by talking about 2 situations that provoked my curiosity towards the solution I am proposing. First, my observation that there is an opportunity to offer better dining experience to loyal patrons. Second, that there is an emerging trend in prepared food service delivery in our local area. It is not well-understood yet, and there is high failure rate among small-businesses. With that being said, big retailer like Target is in a good position to take advantage of this opportunity. Customers don’t like commitment, and so they might prefer to buy prepared foods only when they feel like it. Therefore, buying it inside the retail store gives them that option. This department can potentially become a big profit center for the store. It also drives more foot traffic thereby increasing chance of multiple purchase. Finally, I gave my suggestions on where the items should be displayed or what items to display, and on what time.

Reality is our conversation took place near the entrance—while he was clearing the carts. My voice getting smaller as he kept saying “yeah, that’s cool”… I left heading towards the bathroom, after giving a short incomprehensible paragraph.

 

[RetailWorld]

It sounds like you have these fantasies about running Target like a small business but with a large retailer budget. The feasibility of introducing a new line in a store without HQ starting it up is slim, if not impossible.

Start small....show that you can think outside your work center. Since you're on flow, look for stocking/PTM opportunities. Look for light aisles, notice new product coming off the truck, have conversations about purging out bulk steel or keeping mini-seasonal full or building Ad-Supported endcaps.

Being a leader in a store is realizing what resources you have IN the store and making the most of what you got. Nobody but a DTL(And probably not even then) is going to be able to bring in a new line of pre-made food with a ton of ISM support, but a team lead is expected to see sales opportunities in-store and make those opportunities happen.

 

[Penrose]

Thank you, RetailWorld, that’s a very good advice.

I should have thought about that before I embarrassed myself today. I regret what I did as soon as I opened my mouth. I don't think my supervisor appreciates in-actionable solutions.

I don't even know half of what you just said, but I get the gist of it.

 

[redeye58]

You came, you assessed, you tried.
I just read a site about Blue Apron's concept.
You could tweak it to family-sized ready-to-cook meals.
Just watch your traffic & hone your concept.

 

[Penrose]

You came, you assessed, you tried.

Thank you, redeye58. That made me feel better! You are absolutely correct!

Regret is probably a strong word… It took a lot of courage to speak up, to open myself up for criticisms, to take a risk of saying something that could potentially embarrass me. I shouldn't feel bad about it.

Tomorrow is another day. He probably forgot what I said. Our conversation was a very insignificant part of his day, so I shouldn't even worry about it. 🙂

I just read a site about Blue Apron's concept.
You could tweak it to family-sized ready-to-cook meals.
Just watch your traffic & hone your concept.

I check the site. I love it. Thanks for sharing this info.
Target could also partner up with Blue Apron, so Blue Apron can offer even lower prices because of reduced shipping cost, and possibly higher demand of product.

The fresh prepared food market is not just a fad. In fact, I think this could possibly threaten the restaurant industry or the frozen food market sector. As people are more conscious of eating right and yet be able to do it conveniently, this will become a very important industry.

I wish that Target realize that soon before the other big competitors start making a move.

 

[Penrose]

Oh, I have another in-actionable idea.

This pertains to the shoe department. That area is kind of messy. But, not only that, there seems to be a high occurrence of damaged caused by customer's handling. Also, the labor hours that went to this section to push, organized, set, etc -- is making this department possibly one of the most costly area to operate. It would be interesting to know how much is the sales in the shoe department minus all the defective items, labor, material cost, etc.

So, my solution is: Let's keep most of the shoes at the backroom. Only display two of the same style and size. Put a sign that says "ask team member for assistance".

This will free up a lot of space in the shelves. Makes the aisle easy to manage. When you have an organized area, customers will think twice to trash it down.

I don't know if there is a metrics that measure how much items were kept in the backroom vs in the sales floor, but I think the shoe department should be excused in the metrics or at least the analysis should be re-interpreted.