Ben Ball

CSD: Fresh from the Farm

August 24, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
What makes Swiss Farms truly unique is it has been a drive-through grocer since inception. Now, Swiss Farms Stores is expanding its business from 13 stores in the Pennsylvania market to an anticipated 100 franchise locations over the next five years. What do you think of Swiss Farms' drive-thru grocer concept?      [more...]

Add me to the list of "this is a great idea" commentators.

When discussing this concept with other retailers in the past, the most common question is "where's the moat?" (the insulating competitive characteristic). Conventional retailers contend they can counter this easily by simply grouping all the right items in a readily accessible front-of-store location and using dedicated express checkouts. Perhaps even a "take-out door" and parking as casual dining restaurants do.

But there is a fundamental difference in the convenience of in car vs. pick-up service. And it takes a unique and dedicated design to pull it off, just as it takes a different footprint to put in a McDonald's versus a Chili's.

Consumers will make the lateral transfer of behavior from drive-thru fast food to drive-thru fast shopping easily. This is going to be a hit.