MARTIN SLOANE | Supermarket Shopper Industry changes with interesting innovations

Supermarkets are constantly changing. Driven by the need to excel or by competition, new innovations, big and small, move like waves through the industry. Here are some of the most interesting recent ones:
Readers often ask the question, why don't supermarkets package fresh meat in smaller individual portions? The answer from supermarkets usually is, there isn't enough space in the meat cases -- but somehow they find space for family packs. It's a situation where maximizing meat sales usually triumphs over service. Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans Food Markets is known for outstanding service, and now you can see it in the meat cases. Wegmans has introduced a "Perfect Portions" line of individually packaged steaks and roasts.
The Perfect Portion strip steak is half the usual size. The perfect portion roasts weigh about 1.5 pounds. They are packaged in extended-freshness vacuum-sealed trays.
Convenience has its price. Perfect Portions are priced 50 cents to a dollar a pound higher than regular size steaks and roasts.
The shoe fits
Supermarkets are finding they can serve their customers better by bringing in retail experts to consult them on their products. Better selection and one-stop shopping convenience are the goals. In Laredo, Texas, an H.E. Butt supermarket now includes a Payless Express shoe section. The 700-square-foot section is located at the front of the H.E.B. store and includes a sampling of the women's and children's shoes found in a typical Payless ShoeSource store.
"We are pleased to offer our shoppers new products and services that will enhance their overall shopping experience and be a good match for their busy lifestyles," said Jeff Thomas, general manager for H.E.B.'s south Texas region.
Toy story
Albertsons has jumped on board the trend to bring other compatible retail operations into its stores. The Boise, Idaho-based chain recently announced the success of a one-year test of Toys R Us sections in six Jewel-Osco stores. Toys R Us sections will now be placed in all 2,300 of the stores owned by Albertsons, including Jewel and Acme. The "Toy Box" aisle will include 250 to 400 toys depending on the size of the store. About half of the stores will have the section installed for the holidays.
Albertsons is also moving forward to convert school and home office sections in 18 stores to Office Depot sections. Based on a successful yearlong test, Albertsons is one of the first supermarkets to offer customers an unlimited movie rental plan. For $19.99 per month, customers can take two DVDs or VHS tapes out at a time. Picking up a movie or two each time you shop for groceries seems like a convenient solution for movie lovers as well as parents.
For kids' sake
Giant Eagle, the Pittsburgh-based chain, is distributing coupons to kids. It is part of the "Be a Smart Shopper" store tours for elementary school students. Children are shown how to make product comparisons and are given coupons to see how they can save money.
"We find that children are interested in saving and getting the most for their money," said Tina Thompson, community-relations manager for Giant Eagle. The tour also includes information on good nutrition, food safety, meal planning and preparation.
Should the grocery product manufacturers test a Sunday coupon insert for children and teens? That's an interesting question. Newspaper publishers would like to find ways to engage a younger audience. This could be one of them.
Picture this
Giant Foods, based in Landover, Md., is offering overnight delivery of photo prints, uploaded the previous day from the Internet. On the Web site: www.giantfood.com, customers upload the photos from their digital cameras and order Kodak prints. Orders must be placed by 11 a.m. for next-day delivery.
In addition to ordering next-day Kodak prints, consumers can use simple editing tools to zoom, crop and eliminate red-eye from their digital photos. Photos can be e-mailed to friends and relatives.
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United Feature Syndicate