I like one or the other ONLY. Full serve is fine, self serve is fine, but I really dislike when a store has both. The problem with both is, the store never gives you enough help when you have both. A store with both is trying to be (or trying to appear to be) something they're not.
One thing I dislike about both is when you have the same item in both cases and people think one is better than the other.
I like full serve, open glass market. never will forget a lady told me once she never bought meat from a market that was enclosed where she couldn't see the meat cutters, said, " you never know what is going on back there " guess she had a point, makes me wonder how many more think that way.
-- Edited by knifelady on Wednesday 13th of June 2012 09:46:09 PM
I'm with Larry I like one or another both causes to much shrink...I think full service is the future of the business people want to know and see who's cutting there meat
Some stores have been full service for over 50 yrs- this is what they are- all full service-meatcutters are well trained as saleman and suggestive selling- and a full service case can be a competitive advantage- when more and more box stores are going pre-pack
there are pros and cons of each case-full and self service
The full service case is an "active selling case" you need to have personalities (sales-people) that fit the service case- I've seen many stores invest in a full service meatcase-they dress it up, it looks great, the meatcutter, is an introvert- not a saleman, and sales arent there or, store owner doesnt want to spend more labor, and has the deli-girls handle the service, aND then complain "this case didnt work"
Ive sat with many owners thru the years looking at new store plans, and discussing whether to have full or self service cases or both- ive pushed many to bring in self service, when they wanted all full service, and ive pushed many to bring in full service when they just wanted self-service
On one hand. I love the look of a full service case-love the image it reflects-nothing looks better than a beautiful full service case- but on the flip side- if it isnt maintained, it can quickly look like hell. Here are some "cons" of a full service case
customers dont know the price-they dont know if that sirloin is going to be 7.00 or 17.00, and no customer wants to be embarrassed and say "no" I cant afford it.
Pork or beef roasts- again, not knowing the price, and not knowing the weight looking thru the glass-some customers dont mind asking, but most up in these parts are more timid about asking.
Business comes in spurts- if there is a line on the full service case, many customers wont go near it-dont want to wait , and if people are waiting, some customers dont order everything they want because they are "holding up the rest"
when looking thru the glass at a full service case-you are staring at price per lb, not price per package and say you have choice or cab angus rib-eyes at 17.99lb well, some folks that arent educated, get offended at retails like that and/or assume your whole store is high on retails
many stores do truckload meat sales, pick 5, family packs, sell whole primals etc, much easier to do in a self-service case
sales per man hr can be twice in a self service case than a full service case, and payroll % can be 5% less in a self service case
Shrink- Product holds longer when wrapped in a package, as compared to being in a full service case.
Chicken-you will sell much more chicken in a package (usually) than full service
Ideally, Id like to see more full service cases, but it all depends, where you are, whats your competition. if in populated areas, high end clientelle, etc
the best set up(store) ive ever seen was a combination of full and self service they have full service fresh meats- from prime, or all-natural, even organic, and "aged" beef , and tons of kabobs/eye appealing value added items, to thier own lamb sausage and have over 1500 feet of fresh meat self service cases- over 100 marinades and over 9 doors of frozen meats
1. Service and Professionalism-the image reflects you are a butcher-shop, with meatcutters (professionals) in the store-while the big box stores are going "case-ready" , this image gives you an identity marketing advantage
2. Customer service- the meatcutters are behind the counter and will answer any questions a customer may have-from serving size to cooking instructions, to "what's a good steak on the grill" or what's a good roast. The one on one service and advice is irreplaceable for some customers-they wont shop anywhere's else
3. Quality-A full service case reflects a decent quality image, customers can get packaged meats anywhere, but if a meatcutter "picks" out thier steak-it's gotta be good, and with this mindset-more of a chance it will be
4. "An image we grew up with" many customers remember going to a butcher shop growing up, and it brings back fond memories of yester-year. VERY warm and inviting!!
5. Holidays and special ocassions- with a full-service case, the meatcutters are right there to lend advice, and if a customer wants a special cut, or a bulk deal, they have a meatcutter (expert) to discuss the options) this takes some of the responsibility off the customer, because the meatcutter is "recommending this" so it has to be good- and gives advice how to cook the product
6. A festive atmosphere- most "shopping" is a chore, but if you have a bustling butcher shop, customers like to observe this and are actually entertained.
7. Security- customers get a better sense "of where there meat comes from" than from packages
8. Suggestive selling.. a good salesman meatcutter can upsell ad added 10% in sales- with a full service case, the customers are approaching YOU! Particularly new or added-value items
9. Excellent training for a well-rounded meatcutter- even if you start out - not being a natural salesman- working behind the meatcase and bring that out in you, and make you more of a valuable meatcutter
10. Sampling- much easier to sample a new or existing item from a full service case- and the meatcutters can answer questions and talk up the new products Also easier to upsell meat packages and hand the customer the sheets
I've read a few articles about the full-service counter is becoming increasingly poplar due to the growing number of shoppers with questions and concerns about meat. the reason the local movement is becoming increasingly poplar is customers are conscious about the source of their meat, are even making visits to local farmers and going in on a half carcass with neighbors.
Self-service? Are you kidding? Absolutely not. WE are NOT Wall-Mart. Full service only. You sell yourself waaaaay short when you go self-service. I consider my regular case 'self-service.' If there are discrepancies in sales between the two, then you aren't doing full-service right. By doing self-service, you are eroding the overall confidence in your customer base. When it fails, and it will, how are you going to recover? Now your full-service case is all snake-oil.
