Wednesday’s food section insert got my attention with an interesting surprise. An unexpected insert. One that made me wonder if it was just a lost one that got restuffed from Sunday’s ad sections. No. Something new, something better.
A whole new way to view our current economic environment. Thank you, Target. Yes, Target which traditionally has a sizable insert on Sundays had a new direction insert yesterday called “a new day. new ways to save.” A true Target Bull’s Eye Winner!
Target
Each page showed the old world, for instance, room service and the new one, a smiling young face holding a tray with cereal bowls and orange juice–touting “the new room service.” Very clever. Each page had a new approach to a lifestyle we once patronized but currently needs major reworking. How about a trip to the spa–old world! Target world: a terry robe with skin care products and makeup.
The ad gets the point across: life does not have to stop. We just have to approach the familiar a little differently. Love the reinvention; actually love shopping at Target in any economic environment!
Look at the world of dining. Lots of mid-tier chains such as TGI Friday’s, Marie Callender’s, Chili’s, and Ruby Tuesday are offering a variety of specials to their e-mail subscribers. Sign up. Each has a little different approach, and I believe the concept will spread to your favorite spot.
More expensive dining places throughout the country get it, and are offering similar promotions. People need to treat themselves. Maybe at different price points, but they need to dine out. It’s the real trickle-down effect.
Yet, the all-time winner this week is Tom Colicchio, chef and owner of the Craft food empire and well-known celebrity chef from Bravo’s “Top Chef”. Last week he rolled out his latest dining strategy in New York: smaller plates and lower prices in the front room of craftsteak, calling the new mid-week enterprise, halfsteak. The line of people waiting to get in, said it all. We appreciate these changes; what’s next?
Yes, we are all in this together. Every business needs to rethink its business model to accommodate people and get them in the door for multiple visits. That way the business survives as a business, and the dining, shopping public responds by purchasing.
This will work.
