Ferguson & Hassler Supermarket Undergoes 'Digital Facelift'

Ferguson & Hassler Supermarket, a community-based independent grocery store in Quarryville, Pa. supplied by Associated Wholesalers, Inc., has undergone a "digital facelift" by launching several interactive solutions to engage more customers in its community.

Store co-owner, Chip Hassler worked with Buffalo, N.Y.-based Shop2Cook on the digital upgrades. "The new kiosk, websites, and mobile rewards program which ShoptoCook set up for us has had an overwhelming response from our customers and employees," said Hassler. "I would strongly recommend any store to use their services; they lead you through the whole process and answer any questions very promptly."

This past January, Ferguson & Hassler installed an in-aisle touchscreen display that enables shoppers can search and print thousands of recipes, browse the weekly sales circular, and build a shopping list. Also launched in January was the company’s new website, which includes interactive content, a weekly e-newsletter campaign to drive traffic, a Mobile Rewards loyalty program that drives traffic into the store through text messaging, and the launch of a mobile-optimized version of the website for smartphone users.

The combined digital suite allows the store to focus on meal planning solutions while highlighting healthy fresh food selections, an area of pride at Ferguson & Hassler. The in-store displays and website feature a recipe database with more than 5,000 recipes, which shoppers use to find new meal ideas for any occasion.

The weekly e-mail newsletter links customers directly to the weekly ad circular and recipes that highlight one (or more) of the Fresh Foods featured in the ad circular!

The mobile version of the website allows smartphone users to access the circular and recipes on-the-go, without the need to download a phone-specific app. Shoppers that sign up for the Mobile Rewards program receive exclusive weekly offers through text messages that they redeem at the in-store touchscreen display, driving traffic to the store, while also allowing shoppers to become familiar with the new display.

According to the grocer, this past January, shoppers viewed 58,492 recipes in-store and online, the e-newsletter subscription jumped from 563 shoppers to 976 in less than three weeks since a sign-up contest was launched on their homepage in early February.