How stores stay competitive after the “great grocery boom”

In 2020, grocery shoppers stripped toilet paper from store shelves. They built bomb shelter-worthy pantries. They loaded their carts with comfort foods. Then they made their own sourdough. On and on and on it went, with new trends emerging rapid fire and fueling record numbers of in-person and online grocery store purchases. It was the “great grocery boom.” 

After a very unique year, what comes next? Fierce competition. Traditional grocery stores are competing with delivery services from e-commerce giants and burgeoning grocery departments within big-box stores, pharmacies and other retail outlets. 

It’s anticipated that by 2026, $200 billion to $700 billion in grocery sales could move towards other nontraditional channels. Many traditional grocery stores are modernizing their networks so they can stay competitive by providing a better shopping experience and more of the digital services shoppers expect. 

At one Midwest grocery chain with more than 30 locations, company leaders recognized modernizing their network would give them the edge they needed to compete against grocery giants. It would allow them to support new inventory management systems that would ensure fully stocked shelves, as well provide the flexibility to quickly add new digital services delivering convenience and savings.

After evaluating several companies, the chain chose Spectrum Business. They saw them as a strong technology partner who could provide a solution enabling them to become more competitive by improving the shopping experience.

Providing what shoppers need, when they need it

That solution was Spectrum Business Ethernet service. Today it connects all stores to headquarters, allowing the chain to securely support electronic cash registers that provide real-time sales and inventory data so customers will always find the groceries they need when they need them.

Delivering a foundation built for change

With Spectrum Business, the grocery chain also has the ability to scale bandwidth. This enables them to rapidly launch new digital services that provide shoppers with more convenience and savings. Examples include new check-out options like “scan and go,” and in-store mobile offers.

“The grocery industry is changing, and you never know when customers will start demanding new ways to shop,” says the IT director. “It’s better to prepare for those things during the initial build.”

Keeping operational risk low

The grocery chain found that beyond providing the right technology solution, Spectrum Business proved to be a truly collaborative partner with the expertise required to help them significantly reduce operational risk. 

The Spectrum Business team recommended the chain mitigate network downtime by deploying redundant connectivity to all locations. The chain took this advice, and now has a robust redundant network that ensures it can operate 24/7/365 without interruption.

Learn how another multi-location company has used Spectrum Business networking solutions to stay competitive.