# Grocery-Branded Isolation Activites Marianaos Debuted Virtual Events to Keep Customers Entertained By Grace Mahas | Published 2020-05-02 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marianaos References: [grocerydive](https://www.grocerydive.com/news/marianos-keeps-customers-entertained-with-virtual-events/575692/) & [marianos](https://www.marianos.com/) Chicago-based grocery retailer, Mariano’s, recently debuted a new [online platform](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/riesbecks), dubbed Mariano's Meet Ups, with a range of at-home activities. The tool will include [cooking classes, wine tastings, mixology sessions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giant-talk-tours), and live Chicago style music. The interactive classes and demonstrations will be hosted by chefs and sommeliers, such as Belinda Chang, Tony Priolo, Lamar Moore and Todd Stein to give consumers tips and tricks to prepare meals and cocktails. To ensure all attendees have the appropriate ingredients to participate in the [virtual events, Mariano's releases grocery lists](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/benemart-concept) — with all the products available at the retailer. All of the virtual Mariano's Meet Ups events are free to attend and take place on the ZOOM video platform. Image Credit: Marianao's ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Virtual Events:** The rise of virtual events creates opportunities for businesses to engage with customers in new and interactive ways. - **At-home Activities:** Providing customers with at-home activities helps businesses cater to the growing demand for entertainment and engagement within the comfort of one's own home. - **Interactive Classes:** Offering interactive classes by industry experts allows businesses to share knowledge and expertise with customers, while fostering a sense of community. ### Where This Applies - **Grocery Retail:** Grocery retailers can leverage virtual events and at-home activities to provide additional value to their customers and differentiate themselves in a competitive market. - **Online Platforms:** The demand for online platforms capable of hosting virtual events and interactive classes presents opportunities for companies to develop innovative solutions catering to this market. - **Food and Beverage:** Food and beverage businesses can collaborate with grocery retailers to offer cooking classes, wine tastings, mixology sessions, and other interactive experiences that enhance customer engagement and drive sales. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Virtual Mixology Classes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-mixology-class.md) - [Hybrid Team-Building Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybrid-team-building-events.md) - [Latin Cuisine Retailer Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/latin-flavors-event.md) - [Party Planning Grocer Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/albertsons-companies-celebrations.md) - [Virtual Dining Platform Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-dining-platform.md) - [Sharable DIY Food Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/create-share-kits.md) - [Grocer-Backed Community Lunch Clubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-metro-lunch-clubs.md) - [Virtual Wellness Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/williams-sonoma-virtual-wellness-retreat.md) - [Content-Based Shopping Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recipe-hub.md)