I write you with two requests: one for new products and one for relocating
some products. My local store is in San *******, California.
First, please stock more brands and sizes of regular yogurt. I don’t mean
the low fat, no fat, lite yogurt. I don’t care if it has fruit at the
bottom, is pre-stirred or has a cream top. I just want good, old
fashioned, full fat yogurt. As far as I can tell you stock one size of one
brand of plain yogurt: a two pound tub of PAVEL’S yogurt. Could you
introduce a 1/2 pound size, please? There’s something about the word
“lite” that gives me the willies.
Second, would someone please slap the number-crunching crack addict who
decided where to locate the condoms? Currently they are found between the
hair dye and female sanitary napkins, across from the tampons and baby
diapers. Maybe you’ve got some twisted moralist on staff somewhere who
thinks the purchase of condoms should be linked with a reminder of the
consequences and biology involved in sexual intercourse. You’re sending
two messages by this placement: (1) only women buy condoms, and (2) men
don’t want to use them. Both of these messages are dangerous and totally
untrue.
Just tonight I saw a young man wonder confused between isles of health
supplies and medicines convinced he had somehow overlooked the
prophylactics. I recognized his hunt because I had have gone on the same
hunt. The last time I checked it was men who wore condoms. What man is
going to think “I’m going to put something on my penis. I should look in
the Feminine Hygiene isle!” It’s not going to happen. He’ll look near the
razors. He’ll look near the toothpaste. He’ll look at the pharmacy and
near the cigarettes and the check-out isle. But he’s as likely to find
them in the Feminine Hygiene isle as next to the Kool-Aid in the Candy
isle.
Please do something about this. It’s just wrong. Sick and wrong.
Other than that, I enjoy shopping at your stores. Keep up the good work!
Best Regards,
*** UPDATE ***
I got an couple responses from to the above letter. By request, the
responses:
From: ABSFeedback@[SNIP!]
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 1:08 AM
To: jay(a)OpenDNA.com
Subject: RE: New Product + Relocate Product
Dear …,
Thank you for contacting us with a request for more brands and sizes of
regular yogurt and regarding misleading placement of condoms at your local
Albertsons. We do apologize for the experience you have encountered.
Albertsons takes these issues, such as you expressed, seriously, and
keeping you as our customer is important to us. We have recorded this
information and forwarded it to our Store Director for review. You will be
contacted within twenty-four hours. Your reference number is 500289767.
Sincerely,
ABS Web Administrator
Alexander
——-Original Message——-
From: …
Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 6:38 PM
To: …
Subject: New Product + Relocate Product
[SNIP!]
Original Message: Sunday, July 06, 2003 6:38 PM
First Reply: Monday, July 07, 2003 1:08 AM
Second Reply: Tuesday, July 08, 2003 4:06 PM
From: [SNIP!]@albertsons.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2003 4:06 PM
To: jay(a)opendna.com
Cc: [SNIP!]@albertsons.com
Subject: service issues
Mr. […],
Thank you for your feedback in regards to my store. I want you to know
that I will address these issues with our Marketing department and I will
make every effort to improve this situation. I will contact the supplier
for PAVEL’yogurt and if they make an 8oz size I will bring it immediately.
I also found another label (BROWN COW) that makes an 8oz regular yogurt
and we should receive this product by 7-10-03.
Once again thank you for comments I look forward to getting it
corrected.
Sincerely,
Joe [SNIP!]
Store Director
650-[SNIP!]