I don't know if this happened at more than just the Walmart I visted the other day, but what I witnessed was brilliant.
If you've been following the news, you're aware of the illnesses and issues involved with peanut products - and the many recalls. It looks like this is a case willful negligence on the part of the owner of the company that started all of this. That's another story.
Back to Walmart.
The other day, I visited one of their stores, and they had one of those sampler tables set up where they pass out small portions of a new item or one that they're featuring (Costco and Sam's do this all the time).
Guess what the guy was passing out samples of? The Walmart brand of mixed nuts. Here they were taking their case to the people - an "in your face" campaign to prove that there was nothing wrong with eating their nuts or those of other manufacturers that they carry.
This was a bold, refreshing approach to restoring consumer confidence and stating your case. Well done, and something we can learn from.
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Interesting! I think I will visit my local Walmart this weekend to see if they are doing the same thing. Thanks for the heads up!
Hey, Steve. You are right, good in your face technique. I hate to say that I am one of those that don't eat store samples. Have a great day, Jim
Steve, that is brilliant. Leave it to Walmart, but no reason why we can't also take the opportunity to learn from them as you suggested.
Lynn,
It would be interesting to see if it's being done other places and what some of the other variables are. :)
Steve
Jim and Maria,
Too bad. Their mixed nuts are good, but the free samples were too small. :)
Steve
Vickie,
I shared with the group because it was a great technique and maybe we can learn something from it. :)
Steve
Hi Steve - Is this where I get to say "sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't" The devil made me do it, I had no control. Happy V'Day :-)
BTW - WalMart knows whole nuts were not the problem, so there's no risk! They weren't sampling any little peanut filled crackers were they?
Gail,
The devil, huh? Admit it, you've been saving that one up just looking for the right opportunity.
That was the whole point. The nuts were safe - they always were. This was confirming for people that they were OK to buy and eat. Great, no risk strategy. :)
Steve
Apparently Steve the Peanut plant guilty of negligence is in Virginia and has filed for BK.
Steve - I like this idea, too! Who would ever have thought that we'd have to fear peanut butter, huh?
Steve I agree, Walmart has had many marketing successes... I read recently that they redesigned thier store layouts and reduced shelf inventory by almost 13% in response to Target's "cool factor."
Empty is the new full.
What a marketing strategy... jettison existing inventory to increase future sales!
David,
There you go - no personal responsibilty. Ouch, that one really hurts! :)
Steve
Jason,
You mean except when you're allergic to it or when it gets stuck to the roof of your mouth and you can't swallow? :)
Steve
Lance,
Did anyone tell the Big 3 (formerly Big 3) in Detroit about this concept? :)
Steve
I may step into a Wal-Mart twice a year. I like Target much better. However, good for them and building consumer confidence.
Steve - Seems a bold move for Walmart to make. I'd love to see a similar move from the Big 3!
Go figure that walmart would come up with something like this they've been succeding in the marketing world for years.
Doesn't that open them up to liability? Or perhaps they know ahead of time who the manufacturer was on the can they were sampling.
Tony,
This really was a bold, effective move that from all appearances was working. :)
Steve
Karen,
While I would like to auto sales uptick as well, there is a major flaw in their business model which is easily fixed but won't be. :)
Steve
Justin,
You don't get to be the number one retailer without knowing a few things. :)
Steve
Evelyn,
The point is that it was safe and always had been. BTW, it was their own label. :)
Steve
Big 3... Steve?
I am more concerned about the Big 100 ...
Lance,
I didn't bring it up - I was answering a comment by Karen. The big builders will likely be the last ones to recover. :)
Steve
I like nuts a lot. I, for one, I am glad I do not have a nut allergy. Have a friend who's kid does and he gets really sick even being around other kids who had them at daycare. Weird too, never heard of anything like that back when we were kids. Peanut butter and honey sandwich, with tomato soup, was always on the Friday menu at school. When did this nut allergy come about. I know it is real, based on the friend's kid?
Steven,
I really don't know and I wonder (not challenging your friend or their doctor) how many "peanut" allergies are misdiagnosed because it is related to something else eaten or tested for at the same time? :)
Steve
Steve - Believe it or not, I was not at Wal-Mart this weekend (a shock, because it seems like we live there). I wonder if they were doing the same thing.. :)
Debi,
I'd be curious. Like I said. This may have just been that one manager in that one store - don't know. :)
Steve
Great marketing on the part of Wal Mart.
Now about the Sam's buffet, if I need to go to Sams I make a point of showing up around lunch time.
So maybe we should all go buy a property to prove we have confidence in our product.
Denise,
As long as you like what they're serving, you can make your way from one aisle to the next. :)
Steve
Lisa,
That would be true if we wanted to live in it. However, the price has to right for the market and so many properties aren't. :)
Steve