RVANews reports on the nail-biting negotiations between the locals at Blanchard's Coffee Co. and the coffee team at Giant-Carlisle as the grocery chain begins the process of revamping 25 soon-to-be-former Ukrop's supermarkets. Blanchard's has spent several years carving out shelf space and a solid relationship with Ukrop's, and feared its investment in equipment and branding might be at risk. Fortunately, as RVANews reports, they can rest easy:
“I contacted Giant the day of the announcement in December. I knew I would have to fight for our company and be our advocate, ” said Blanchard’s owner, David Blanchard. “After several conversations, the category manager in charge of coffee, James Reese, called me to meet with him and his boss, Monica Simmons.”
Blanchard’s persistence paid off. Yesterday, he and his new partner, Joe O’Halloran met with Reese and Simmons up in Carlisle, PA and got them to commit to continue carrying Blanchard’s coffee in the new Giant/Martin’s stores. Terms of the new agreement aren’t exactly what Blanchard’s had with Ukrop’s, but they’re pleased, nonetheless.
“We will have six facings* in the new coffee set, down from our current 10. I believe that strong category management from Giant will actually increase our sales, though,” said Blanchard.
