Indie Innovators

Indie Innovators

RAHIM BUDHWANI

“With local networking, establish a strong and ongoing line of communication with county and local people (elected and law  enforcement). I make sure that city mayors (in the counties they ...

Indie Innovators

MIKE FOGARTY

“Perishable products—fruits and vegetables—are a destination category. We allocate 150 square feet to 100% locally grown organics, with 30 different fruits and vegetables in all. We ...

"The ongoing challenge of keeping an organic soda fountain program maintained is actually rectified with YouTube videos, where you can fix anything. We started off not knowing anything about the machi...

“We get many one-time visitors passing through. Recognizing where each comes from and welcoming them makes customers feel special. All employees try to learn a simple phrase or word in multiple langua...

“When we opened our first location in 2009, we received a consensus that what we were doing would only fly in Los Angeles. At that time, investing in certified organic and natural ingredients wh...

They might lack deep pockets, but independent convenience retailers have one built-in advantage over large, well-capitalized chains: They can make decisions more nimbly and with less red tape, executi...

“It’s important to develop professional relationships with your city councils as well as zoning committees. At the same time, it’s great to get involved in supporting events and orga...

“We want customers to find their daily essentials without sacrificing quality for convenience. I recommend that retailers always keep their eye out for new and unique items to add, and customers might...

“Create a shopping experience space that resonates with your neighborhood. A beautiful space designed specifically with your customers and community in mind makes them feel comfortable and want to sta...

“To retain customers, we have to learn their habits and develop one-on-one relationships. But this can’t happen without first building fortified relationships with employee team members. T...

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