5 ways to stand out from your competitors: The Organized Success of Erewhon Market.

A grocer in the big city:

In the heart of Los Angeles County, an upscale supermarket chain has managed to stand out from competitors by embracing a commitment to organization, niche certified organic products, and alternative diets. The clean lines and level of detail caught my eye. Erewhon Market has cultivated a loyal customer base by offering a unique shopping experience that combines meticulously organized stores and shelves with a focus on locally produced, organic and specialty foods. Their displays and shelves are so satisfying to look at.

I found them by scrolling on social media and seeing a photo someone had posted to their story of their perfect produce section. It was hard not to stop and look. It sparked my interest. Enough to write this about them.

"Erewhon" is derived from the 1872 novel by Samuel Butler, in which Erewhon represents a utopia where individuals take responsibility for their own health.

The success of Erewhon Market can be attributed to its unwavering dedication to organization and attention to detail which is their unique competitive advantage. By creating a shopping environment that is both visually appealing and easy to navigate, Erewhon has managed to set itself apart from other grocery chains in the competitive Los Angeles market.

A few ways that you can stand out from your competitors

Be a good person

People love buying from people, not huge corporations. If you can break that barrier, you're on your way. Smile.. Freakin’ smile..When the customer walks through the door, they are there to give you money, so smile! If you are on the phone with them, smile; they will get a better vibe from you.

A smile is an invitation into your business. Be inviting.

Go above and beyond expectations

I love Brian Chesky’s way of trying to create a 10 star experience for a customer. Other brands are trying to achieve a 5 star experience. Brian tries to think what would a 6 star experience look like? Ok, so what would a 7 star experience be then? Ok, so what does a 10 star experience look like for the guest?

I have found a lot of success by simply doubling someone's request. Community members would ask me for a donation or free product; I would give them double or 10 times their request. They are usually speechless, as no one else does this. It’s usually so hard for these people to get donations from people, so when you make their lives easier and just go so far above and beyond their ask, that resonates with them for a long time.

Listen to your customers!

Oh this hurt me. I overhear some business owners reading through their google reviews and saying things like “Oh that persons crazy, that wouldn't have happened”. Now that can definitely be true, but take a second and really explore the truth behind the review, especially if there is any sort of pattern. Someone took time out of their day to leave you a review. 9 other people possibly had a similar experience and didn’t bother leaving a review. They will just try your competitor next time.

Read your competitors' reviews, make a running spreadsheet of complaints, and rank them. Take that information and make sure you are doing the complete opposite of those bad reviews. Customers complaining about the level of customer service they get from their competitor, you better make sure that every customer facing team member is giving it their all for the next time that unhappy customer walks through your door.

If you see a trend with customer complaints, pay a secret shopper to visit your location or order your product and they will provide you with an unbiased report on their experience. You can also just give your friends and family a gift card or give them money afterwards for their review of your business.

I really can’t emphasize listening to your customers enough.

Be an amazing citizen

It’s really not going to break the bank to be a good person and help your community. Give whatever you can. The more you give into the world the more comes back to you, so start giving.

When a sports team or non-profit comes to your business to ask for something, just give it to them. Reference #1 and give them double. Bonus tip, don’t ask for anything in return, ever! I have had business owners tell me that when they receive a request they immediately ask what's in it for them, OR they tell them what they want out of this transaction. Don’t ask for social mentions. Don’t ask for your logo to be shown somewhere. Don’t ask for them to tell their friends. That’s so cringy!  Be a good person and just give them stuff! Factor this into your budget if you are worried about the financial impact. I am sure there is somewhere else in your business you can cut from to do better for your community. You will realize years down the road how much this has impacted your business for the better. When you give, people talk about it, when you give even more, people actually become ambassadors for you and your business. People will have a positive outlook on you and your business and next time they are in the market for your product, guess who they are going to use….

If you have the time, Volunteer in your community. Heck, if you don’t have the time, that means you haven’t prioritized something. Prioritize volunteering your time and resources. Physically volunteer at an organization or hop on a board of an organization that aligns with your values. I am sure you can find a couple hours per month to do  some good.

My experience has shown that when you volunteer in person and meet new people, they often ask, "What do you do?" When you respond, "Oh, I own ____ business," they are usually happy to meet you, as they have likely heard of your business and can now associate a face with it. Chances are, they haven't met the face behind your competitor's business. In this way, you've gained an advantage over your competitor. Congrats!

Create a competitive advantage

Your unique selling proposition. Look at Erewhon as an example. They have created an eye-catching look to their stores. Customers know what to expect when they enter their premise. Immaculate shelves, easy to find products, helpful employees, and products they might not get somewhere else. I would love to find out if it actually takes much more employee effort to keep the store looking like that, or if customers respect and keep the displays looking nice. I know if I was to grab a bottle off the shelf, I would hate to leave it looking ugly. I’d grab the next bottle and make sure it looked nice. If someone from Erewhon reads this, let me know.

Take a look at what strengths you have that your competitors do not. Lean hard into those. Ask customers why they chose your business.

Example of Unique selling propositions include: Price, quality, speed of service, design, customer service level, or unique location. Take all of this information to contrast your competitors.

In today's crowded business landscape, Erewhon's success serves as a powerful reminder of the benefits of differentiation. By carving out a niche in the Los Angeles grocery market and providing a unique shopping experience through organization and exclusive product offerings, Erewhon has established a strong presence within the industry. This demonstrates the importance of finding ways to stand out and differentiate your business in order to thrive in competitive markets.

Use a few of my examples to set you or your business apart. Stand out in the crowded world. Make some meaningful change.