Grocers Get Sweet on Valentine's Day Services
NEW YORK -- Food retailers are acting like Cupid this year, by offering time-stressed shoppers easier ways to treat their sweethearts on Valentine's Day.
Jacksonville, Fla.-based Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. is featuring Valentine's Day services with convenience in mind. To speed up the shopping process, the chain devoted special "Lover's Lane" checkout registers to customers purchasing Valentine's Day items. The "Lover's Lane" is located closest to the floral department, and is open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. today. Winn-Dixie is also offering a special price of $21.99 for a dozen roses, including a free vase and gift bag.
"We're making it easy for customers to spend less time shopping for the perfect bouquet or gift and more time with their sweethearts," said Terry Derreberry, Winn-Dixie director of communications and neighborhood marketing, in a statement. "All they need to provide is the setting and the romantic spark, and we can take care of the rest this Valentine's Day."
Like other retailers with seasonal displays, Salisbury, N.C.-based Food Lion is grouping Valentine's items together at the front of the store, so shoppers in a rush can find everything quickly.
All 1,200 Food Lion stores are building large Valentine's displays, featuring fresh-cut flowers, candy, greeting cards, sparkling wine, cookies and cakes, and balloons. Also available are gift cards for other retailers, such as bed and bath stores, clothing stores, bookstores, and home accessory shops. Food Lion customers who buy a greeting card also get $1 off a dozen roses.
Retailers are getting into the Valentine's Day action on their Web sites, too. Publix Super Markets, based in Lakeland, Fla., is featuring free tips for making the holiday extra-special. Among its offerings: a list of "21 Ways to Say I Love You," advice on romantic table settings, and special wine suggestions.
Jacksonville, Fla.-based Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. is featuring Valentine's Day services with convenience in mind. To speed up the shopping process, the chain devoted special "Lover's Lane" checkout registers to customers purchasing Valentine's Day items. The "Lover's Lane" is located closest to the floral department, and is open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. today. Winn-Dixie is also offering a special price of $21.99 for a dozen roses, including a free vase and gift bag.
"We're making it easy for customers to spend less time shopping for the perfect bouquet or gift and more time with their sweethearts," said Terry Derreberry, Winn-Dixie director of communications and neighborhood marketing, in a statement. "All they need to provide is the setting and the romantic spark, and we can take care of the rest this Valentine's Day."
Like other retailers with seasonal displays, Salisbury, N.C.-based Food Lion is grouping Valentine's items together at the front of the store, so shoppers in a rush can find everything quickly.
All 1,200 Food Lion stores are building large Valentine's displays, featuring fresh-cut flowers, candy, greeting cards, sparkling wine, cookies and cakes, and balloons. Also available are gift cards for other retailers, such as bed and bath stores, clothing stores, bookstores, and home accessory shops. Food Lion customers who buy a greeting card also get $1 off a dozen roses.
Retailers are getting into the Valentine's Day action on their Web sites, too. Publix Super Markets, based in Lakeland, Fla., is featuring free tips for making the holiday extra-special. Among its offerings: a list of "21 Ways to Say I Love You," advice on romantic table settings, and special wine suggestions.