It's a wonder that a social enterprise called The People's Supermarket is considered a relatively innovative idea. After all, isn't food supposed to be about community and health? Of course, with corporate farming and the proliferation of SUV-like supermarkets, it's harder than ever to find grocery stores that value social impact just as much as economic impact.
In the United Kingdom, there's The People's Supermarket, which was founded by Arthur Potts Dawson. "The logic behind the establishment of a social enterprise to address the relentless march of the bigger supermarkets is certainly sound," wrote Dermot Egan in the Guardian Social Enterprise Network. "The 'Tesco effect' on local communities is very real, squeezing the livelihoods of suppliers and farmers, and forcing smaller local operators out of business." While the thesis of Egan's article was criticizing consumer loyalty, it's this general mood of "big is bad" that sparks the re-establishment of local grocers.
Indeed, The People's Supermarket has a mission of creating an alternative food buying network where community is counted.
Contact Information
The People's Supermarket website
The People's Supermarket on Facebook
The People's Supermarket on Twitter
Alternative Food Networks
The People's Supermarket Focuses on Community Development
Trend Themes
1. Alternative Food Networks - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Creating alternative food buying networks that prioritize community involvement and social impact.
2. Local Grocers - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Re-establishing local grocers to counteract the negative effects of big supermarkets on suppliers, farmers, and smaller operators.
3. Consumer Loyalty - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Addressing the criticism of consumer loyalty to big supermarkets by emphasizing the importance of supporting local and community-based initiatives.
Industry Implications
1. Social Enterprise - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Incorporating social impact and community development into traditional business models, creating a more sustainable and community-focused approach.
2. Grocery Retail - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Introducing new models of grocery retail that prioritize local sourcing, community involvement, and alternative food buying networks.
3. Sustainable Agriculture - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Promoting sustainable agriculture practices and supporting local farmers through the establishment of local grocers and alternative food networks.