Posted on 01/30/2011 2:56:06 AM PST by Daisyjane69
The typical modern American supermarket stocks 48,000 items, each battling for precious shelf space. How do they get there? Why are they arranged the way they are? Did you know that some stores use heat maps to track which aisles you walk down — and which ones you don't? Or that they put the milk at the end of the aisle so you're forced to pass a hundred other items on your way to get it? It's all done to gain an edge in a cutthroat business built on razor-thin margins.
CNBC’s Tyler Mathisen goes behind the scenes for a fascinating look at today’s supermarket industry. It is the story of a crowded and brutal business generating half a trillion dollars in annual sales. Established brands like Safeway, Giant Eagle and Kroger are cultural icons as familiar as our own street names, but they are under constant attack from brilliant upstarts like Whole Foods, big box retailers like Wal-Mart and Costco, and from ever-changing public tastes. Go behind the familiar facade of your neighborhood market to see how it really works.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnbc.com ...
Devoid of politics completely. Wish it had been an hour longer because I can think of some areas I wish had been covered.
(you know it's good when my sweetie in Chicago was involved in a vitally important project -- ranking his fantasy league baseball players -- and decided to put it on while waiting for the Bulls game to begin. Just to humor me and kill time, no doubt. He called me back 20 minutes into the show and said "Honey, this is the best show I've seen in at least a week!")
Who knew???
bttt
I will have to search and see if I have CNBC on my satellite line up. Kidding. It’s there somewhere.
Having worked for 15 years in the industry (in management/IT) I would like to catch that documentary.
*ping*
Whoops...I meant to ping you to this for not only our preparedness list but to your amazingly wonderful blog (http://thesurvivalmom.com/). Scary business when they tell you the razor-thin time line for groceries, no? meh
One more thing, did you see this?
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20110119/BIZ01/101200347/Kroger-watches-storms-24-7
Looks like Kroger’s has an emergency team, trying to anticipate disaster/weather needs. I didn’t know this!
Check your local listings for CNBC, this is supposed to be RE-broadcast this evening.
You are right, that’s why I figured I’d post it...so we all had time to get ourselves together in time. There are also a few other times, plus times for our FReepers who are overseas, I noticed.
Actually, I wouldn’t have had the link handy except that my sweetie wanted to prevail on his sister (who has technical stuff) to record this for their parents to watch. They are seniors & don’t have cable tv.
Walmart has been doing this for years. We had an ice storm two years ago. Sam’s had extra generators in the store two days before it hit. I went down there after the storm hit and they were selling those generators about one every 30 minutes. They never ran out. These were $900 generators.
About 18 hours of food on the shelves of modern grocery stores in the bar code computer era. Americas just one 70’s like nationwide truckers strike from trouble IMO .
Will look for this show....sounds like your “razor thin” timeline confirms such .....:o)
Stay Safe...
Thanks for the heads up. Sounds interesting. I just set our DVR.
Indeed. And it’s scary.
BTW, too much efficiency means fewer donations to food banks.
Unintended consequences...
Holler back after the show airs.
Maybe I have a future career as a TV show reviewer.....
or maybe not. LOL ;)
This is the way Wal-Mart sells for less. They take the rebates and marketing funds and front load them into the shelf price.
"Razor thin"? Really? There are supermarkets all over the place here. In twenty minutes I can get to at least seven - four different companies.
I like Big Y the best. They have Buy One - Get Two Free deals all the time. And, not just junk good stuff.
They’ve been having those type shows on fairly often. Saw one on Target, wal-Mart, and Ford. Very well done.
Wal Mart pays suppliers in 180 days.
SHOW TIMES
United States
Sunday, January 30th 10p ET
Monday, January 31st 8p ET
Thursday, February 10th 8p ET
Monday, February 21st 8a | 7p ET
Supermarket shelf space is the most expensive land in the world. Every inch is paid for...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.