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Your Board

Hi, I'm Your Board

Outpost's Board of Directors will use this blog to discuss issues the board is exploring as it envisions Outpost's future. Can't make it to a meeting? Check here frequently to read what the Board is up to. Your current Outpost Board of...
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Your Board

Comparing Apples to Apples: Do more grocery options mean better?

Board Beet
By Your Board on June 9, 2015

At Outpost we’ve been talking a lot about the large influx of new, national grocery stores set to open soon in the Milwaukee area. Most, if not all, of these stores will be touting organic or local produce and products, so we have reason to take heed of the increased competition. 

We may need to step up our game, but we shouldn’t lose sight of why we’re different. Delivering value doesn’t mean having the biggest selection or having lots of cheap stuff. For many customers, Outpost has become synonymous with trust, quality, and values.

Last fall, one of my friends and neighbors, a nurse, mother, and fitness instructor, was blogging on food and finances. Having recently added a third mouth to feed, she was revisiting the cost of shopping at Outpost.

But after doing the math, she realized that she was only spending $1.50 per meal for completely organic and mostly local food. What she didn’t say, but I think was implied, was that she didn’t have to read every label or research every brand to determine whether it was organic and healthy. Further, she knew that by shopping at Outpost she was supporting farmers that raised their products ethically and sustainably.

I came to a similar and related epiphany recently when I decided to spend $100 per month for fitness training. I rationalized the decision by saying that it would even out if I stopped eating out as much. And I knew that my eating habits were actually the biggest contributor to my expanding waistline – a problem that had to be addressed.

A few months out, I’m down twenty pounds and spending less money than before.  I’m eating less and spending more of my food budget at Outpost. I still hit the big box retailers for certain necessities that aren’t available at Outpost. But when I do, I’m amazed -- not at how big their selection is -- but by how little of it I want.

When shopping for value, I make sure I compare apples to apples. Especially now that I’m eating less, every food purchase is significant. That is to say it matters what it is and how it’s raised. Outpost has been around for forty years, so I know it will succeed. And if it responds to increased competition, I’m confident that it will be by focusing on what it does best – providing its customers with peace of mind.

Do you have reasons for choosing Outpost over other stores?

If not, what can we do to help you make the shift?

 

Jan Pierce

Board Director

 

 

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