Help Isom IGA recover from devasting floods
Help Isom IGA recover from devasting floods
Store: McKim’s IGA
Location: Mount Vernon, Indiana
Manager: Larry Williams
Department: Produce
Difficulty: Easy
Store size: 10,000 square feet
With lots of larger chain store competition in the area, it seems like we're always combating the false assumption that we're too small to have a good selection of produce. Nothing says high-quality produce like a farmers market, so we decided to play up our local focus with a fall harvest tent sale.
On the first full weekend of October, we hoist a 20x30 foot tent in the parking lot and stock it with hay bales, pumpkins, and an array of fresh produce, using as much local produce as possible. To create the feeling of a farmers market, we arrange the produce on bales of hay and in harvest baskets. We always make sure that we put a great price on the core produce staples, such as potatoes, corn, onions, and, of course, pumpkins. We advertise the event and send notices to schools and day care centers in the area, and invite local teachers to come in and get a free pumpkin for their classroom. We also have a variety of small pie pumpkins that we give to teachers so that their students can decorate them.
Brings a Sense of Nostalgia
There is something about shopping outdoors away from the refrigerated cases that just feels more special.
Enjoy Shopping Local
Our pumpkins are from a local grower and we also feature produce from a local orchard. Our customers love having the chance to support their neighbors.
Replicates a Farmers Market
Our town doesn’t have a farmers market, so this event gives our shoppers the chance to shop in a similar environment.
Give Back to the Community
By giving away pumpkins, we have a chance to support the students and teachers in our area.
Promote Produce
People often assume that little stores don’t have a great variety of produce available. This event is our chance to prove that this assumption is wrong.
Boost Sales
By turning produce shopping into a unique event, our sales go way up for the weekend.
Each produce item is discounted individually. Buying in large quantities helps us get the best price.
Have a best practice of your own? We want to hear it!
8745 West Higgins Rd. Ste 210
Chicago, IL 60631
Phone: (773) 693-4520
Fax: (773) 693-4533