How to live a bountiful life on a budget
Need a little retail therapy? If you’re like me, you may have a hidden talent: the ability to spend large amounts of money at Kohl’s without trying!
TEN winners will each receive a $50 e-gift cards from Kohl’s – and you could be one of them! All you need to do is take a few seconds and enter your email address here.
Winners will be chosen through a lottery drawing and notified by email on April 8, 2020. I’d love to hear that some of our B2B readers were winners!
Shipt and Instacart are popular grocery delivery services that connect you with personal shoppers in your area (take a look at all of your grocery pick up and delivery options in metro Detroit). These shoppers work hard to fill your order accurately and efficiently – and there are a few things that your Shipt or Instacart shopper wants you to know:
Make your expectations as clear as possible (especially about meat and produce, where there can be much variation). Make sure to note if you want green, yellow or brown bananas, ripe or green avocado, firm grapes, etc. List which exact items or sizes would be acceptable substitutions; I will not be able to read your mind. (Instacart allows you to choose a second item in the app if the first choice is out of stock). Specific comments are very helpful; I won’t need to contact you as frequently with questions if you communicate clearly.
I should start your shop by sending you a text. Especially if you select “contact me” for substitutions, have your phone on, turned up and be ready to respond quickly. Especially in times when store stock is low, there could be a lot of unavailable items. Most of the time, I need to wait around for your response to substitutions – and wasting time costs me money. Being responsive to shopper questions or comments about availability is key to having your order on time and making sure you receive items you actually want. I want to help you, so please let me!
B2B Note: EVERY shopper I chatted with listed this as the major issue. It was brought up again and again. Please respond quickly to your shopper – it makes a big difference!
We’re all looking for ways to stay healthy and productive at home right now. That’s why I love that Bluprint is offering a FREE Creativity Care Package to help families make the most of their time together, to help all of us learn something new, to create, to cut through our boredom, and even to keep kids busy while parents work from home.
Bluprint’s online creative learning platform features classes for all ages, experience levels and so many topics (over 1,300 classes in all). With Bluprint you can stream thousands of creative education classes from knitting, sewing, baking, cooking, drawing, lettering, photography, gardening, fitness, writing, family crafts and much more, taught by the world’s leading experts.
EVERY CLASS is FREE to access now through April 16, 2020 – and you won’t want to miss your chance! Bluprint is a one-stop destination for classes, patterns and project ideas for all skill levels.
There are so many classes I’d love to try (for me and for my family). Here are just a few of the things I’ve saved to my Bluprint account:
There are SO MANY great classes – you will find something you love and now is a great opportunity!
Don’t wait! You’ve got a few weeks to learn and create all that you possibly can!
I’ve been spending more time at home these days. Maybe you have, too. And the more I look around, the more I’ve been reminded of how many home improvement projects have been waiting for me!
I’m sure you could use $100 right now to spend on your home, too! #SpringIntoHomeDepot with this simple giveaway.
Five winners will each receive a $100 Visa e-gift card from Home Depot – and you could be one of them! All you need to do is take a few seconds and enter your email address here.
Winners will be chosen through a lottery drawing and notified by email on Friday, March 27, 2020. I’d love to hear that some of our B2B readers were winners!
The coronavirus has certainly taken a toll on grocery stores in the past week here in the midwest. Larger than usual crowds led to a lack of stock and empty shelves, long checkout lines and grumbling shoppers. Even curbside pickup options have had long waits and plenty of unavailable items.
The bottom line? We’re all stressed – and that includes store managers and employees. I spoke with a few this week, and here are some things they wanted you to know….
1. Stores have set limits on items for a reason. Please honor them.
Some managers have only been allowed to order a certain number of items. Warehouse workers are putting in long hours, but there aren’t enough workers and trucks to get products to every store in a timely manner. They are trying to make sure the most important items are well-stocked. Honoring those store limits on select items means that there is more for everyone to go around.
2. Store employees aren’t responsible for shortages or long lines.
Workers can’t control the lack of stock or the long wait. They’re showing up every day, though, and putting in long hours to serve often unhappy customers. They have loved ones at home who need them, too. They often aren’t told more than you are. They’re all doing the best that they can – and they could use your understanding, your thanks and a smile.
3. Please don’t leave refrigerated or frozen items behind.
There’s been an increase in people abandoning carts full of items or placing cold items on aisle shelves to rot. If you need to change your mind about items – especially those that are refrigerated or frozen – please return them to the proper area. These perishable items are in short supply; stores will be forced to throw them out.
4. Store hours may be shortened.
To make up for all the extra cleaning routines and stocking empty shelves, stores need some extra hours to regroup. You may want to check whether your location’s hours have changed.
5. Not all store services may be available.
Full service deli, meat and cheese counters will not be open in many cases, though packaged items will be available. Bottle return areas may be closed.
6. Many stores are hiring.
If you know anyone in need of a job, most stores (including Kroger and Meijer) have advertised immediate openings for employees on their websites and social media channels.
7. If you’re concerned about crowds, consider pickup or delivery options.
Many stores are still offering pickup or home delivery – but those workers are especially overwhelmed by the large amount of orders. Be prepared for longer than normal wait times and item substitutions.
The bottom line? We’re all doing the best that we can. A little patience and understanding can go a long way during these trying times!
Read more:
Grocery store employees – is there anything I’ve missed? Please share in the comments!
