[The Perfect Fit]

I'm home from the office so it's okay for me to get on and ask a question. For many years during the fall my wife Yolanda has worked and ran a vegetable and fruit stand on 26 mile rd east of Romeo Rd. It's called J. Kutchey & sons. Her boss never tells her what to do he always comes in from the fields asking what he can do to be of help around the stand? What a really nice guy..
Here's the question...
He asked her today what they could do to get more people to stop in and buy produce. What would they have to do to the stand to attract attention? They have a new red pole barn which sits back somewhat from the road... It's way to early for pumpkins straw and such..
I noticed that another vegetable stand west of Romeo plank on 26 mile rd always has cars in their lot...
Do any of you people have any idea's how they can draw attention to the stand to attract more business??
Thanks

 

[Snowbi-Wan]

Two words: Bikini Models!

 

[Campari]

I always *want* to stop in a vegatable stands but for some reason I never do. I hate supermarket vegatables but yet I've never once stopped at a stand like that on my own. Now that I'm thinking about it, I think that's weird!

I know that I would rather stop at a crowded place than one with no other people. Maybe cause I's feel like the produce was better if others liked it?

Man, that's a good question. Being in sales and marketing myself I'm not really sure what I'd do. Half-nekkid babes out front?

j/k

No matter what though I'm gonna hit your wife's place there on 26 now; you've piqued my interest...

maybe that's the key?

 

[Shandog]

have a sign with the words FREE in big letters and have him give out something for free - like something small that doesn't cost much to get the peeps in.

 

[conquest]

babes on 26+romeo plank in bikinis holding wet tshirt contest soon signs and an arrow pointing east

actually it's hard to say being most people take the short jount past the west stand to continue north/south and there's not a whole lot (when I live out there)east of romeo plank

 

[Buoys will be buoys]

Dude ... Consumer Marketing is all about creating a need, and then supplying a product to match that need.

I'll give you a relevant example: how many times in the spring (late May / June) when you are cruising around do you see signs for fresh asparagus, yet when you go to Loblaw's / Kroger's NONE of it is local (unless Guatemala is now a suburb of EastPointe)

People like to help (and buy from) people they know (or would like to know). Simple roadside signage with enough time for a driveby to stop -- emphasizing fresh from the field (just picked this am) and local would probably deliver results. I'll go 25km out to the country to find something that I perceive to a better product than what I might find in the store.

Alternate to that - skip retail entirely and wholesale to local grocers -- not as much margin, but you probably would easily make that up in volume and reduced spoilage.

If not, bikini models (of both genders -> perhaps some of CJ's 'enhanced' fembots from her show last weekend) might be a good plan B.

Scott.

 

[Going Deep]

Anyone want to buy some Mellons????

 

[daileyinterest]

SIGN READS........................

WE SELL THE LARGEST CUCUMBERS IN TOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The Perfect Fit]

Is this the best that you guys could come up with???
However, these two ideas are good....
FREE in big letters and have him give out something for free
emphasizing fresh from the field and local

But these????hahaha

Bikini Models!
Half-nekkid babes out front
bikinis holding wet tshirt contest soon signs and an arrow pointing east
If not, bikini models (of both genders
WE SELL THE LARGEST CUCUMBERS IN TOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!

And, they have another stand in the city which does well ..
It's the one on 26 mile rd that could do better...
I was wondering if they advertises in a church or local paper say show coupon and receive a bakers dozens of corn..
They have a sign out front but it's hard to read....
Any other ideas????

 

[Snowbi-Wan]

QUOTE(The Perfect Fit @ Jul 23 2004, 12:00 PM)But these????hahaha

Bikini Models!
Half-nekkid babes out front
bikinis holding wet tshirt contest soon signs and an arrow pointing east
If not, bikini models (of both genders
WE SELL THE LARGEST CUCUMBERS IN TOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, they could open up a whole chain of stands called Melons.

 

[The Perfect Fit]

They do sell a lot of melons there...
Just a little different kind then you are refering to...

 

[Snowbi-Wan]

QUOTE(The Perfect Fit @ Jul 23 2004, 12:10 PM)They do sell a lot of melons there...
Just a little different kind then you are refering to...
Hey! What are you doing on here at work??

 

[The Perfect Fit]

I come on at lunch time...

 

[rerun]

Things that I was thinking might help.

Display bright colored food out front tipped on shelves so they catch drivers eyes.

Display signes that cause people to think about stopping. BwbB had a couple of ideas.

How about:

You've thought about it enough....stop already!

Right out of the garden.

Fresh is always better.

Support your local farmer.

 

[Snooze Ya looze]

"SPECIAL" Buy some corn and you can squeeze my melons !

 

[Kat]

Huge signs with bright colors at the nearby intersections.

Large advertisements infront of the place.

haf out coupons to the existing customers if they bring a freind with them during their next shopping trip they get a %-age off of their next purchase.

Have a mailong list mail out coupons.

Put in adds in the local paper

Have a huge blow up of a fruit basket on top of the building. (you know like theose x-mas or easter big blow up things)

Have a spot light at night like Art Van ot haunted houses have for their sales. You'll have to stay open later of course.

Do something crazy like a pie throwing contest on the weekends. ~Attract the whole family

Have pony rides.

When the time comes have a haunted house.

Play loud music outside of the place.

Advertise free lemaide or freshely squeezed juice on a certain day.

Have a bill board sign advertisement in the area.

hope that this helps. My brain needs to take a break now