After a lengthy hiatus, I am back to blogging. So to make up for lost time, I have decided to 
do a mini blog series about my new workplace, Kin’s Farm Market. Around mid October I was hired as a cashier to work weekends, and what I’ve noticed is that most of the marketing concepts we cover in class can be applied to our store.
First some background. Kin’s, on West 10th and Sasamat, is unique in that it’s the franchises newest location. It’s grand opening was April 24, 2010, so it hasn’t even been open for an entire year yet. Basically, we’re still in the promotion phase and are trying to establish a solid customer base. Secondly, we have two direct competitors and we’re all located in the same block.
Google Maps is wrong. It’s “Top Ten Produce.” Just so you know.
The green icon, that looks like an awkward “X” but is actually a man, is Kin’s. Approximately 46 steps to the left (I counted) is the red dot, or Top Ten Produce. Finally, located just across the street is Safeway.
Before Kin’s opened, both Top Ten and Safeway were well established in Point Grey Village and were operating comfortably within their targeted segments. Safeway took on the role as the convenient Supermarket chain and Top Ten was the local produce store with low prices and hard to find food items.
The question is how does Kin’s, a store that specializes in only produce, attempt to enter and be successful in this already established market?
Tomorrow, building Kin’s sustainable competitive advantage and the market environment.