Tuesday, November 22, 2011

What's Behind Stop & Shop?

Customer Education Area At Stop & Shop's entrance
Chelmsford, MA
I have usually done most of my food shopping at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods--with the occasional Costco thrown in there.  But after reading about a new "high tech" Stop and Shop opening nearby, I decided last night to give it a try.  How can a supermarket be high tech?

 
What The Boston Globe didn't mention in its article on the store are the many sustainability features.  Sure, the store will be LEED certified, has the latest LED parking lot lighting, high-efficiency T-5 fluorescents inside and closed dairy cases, but there's more to the story than energy savings.

 
The new store is seems to be trying to address its real impacts and opportunities. 
  • It was built from a defunct and abandoned movie theater; 
  • There is a nutritionist on site;
  • A free, supervised play area for kids;
  • Free WIFI, a cafe, and tables to sit and enjoy;
  • Organic foods (some at the same cost as conventional--from what I saw), and
  • Better identification of healthy options.   
There is even a drive-through pick-up for busy families that make getting real food as easy as fast food.

 
It's nice that Stop and Shop has thought about its REAL impacts: its triple-bottom line of people, planet and profit.  And, it has done so in such a thoughtful manner. 

 
Congratulations, Stop and Shop.

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