Newsletters: January-February-March 2010
General Manager’s Report
Natural Times January/February/March 2010
By Larrane Hartridge
One Year Out
Happy New Year from all of us here at New Leaf Market! We have been so busy fine-tuning the operations of our newly expanded store that it doesn’t seem like a whole year has come and gone. Because of our successful expansion and subsequent profitability, your Board of Directors authorized a sizable patronage rebate. You should have received your checks in the mail by now. If not, please stop by customer service, or call 850-942-2557 to inquire about your rebate check.
Market Study
In 2003 we conducted a market study to determine the Co-op’s trade area and customer base. The information we gathered was used for marketing and helped us determine favorable areas of town for second and third stores. In mid-January we will be conducting another market study to see how the Tallahassee market has changed over the past seven years. Part of the study will include collecting address information and transaction amounts from customers over a four-day period. We hope that you will assist us in gathering this important information.
International Recognition
The National Co-operative Grocers Association (NCGA) won the first ever dotCoop Global Award for Cooperative Excellence—a recognition that underscores NCGA’s commitment to further the cooperative business model within its organization and throughout the nation. New Leaf Market has been a member of the NCGA since 2002.
NCGA Recognition
New Leaf Market has been recognized by the NCGA! When member stores of the NCGA take on expansion projects they are put on a watch list to ensure that they continue to meet their financial and operational obligations. We received a lovely letter from the NCGA advising us that we have been removed from the watch list and stating that, “New Leaf Market has consistently performed well with good expense control, sustained sales and margins and sustained profitability, quite an achievement given the size and scope of your expansion.” Go New Leaf staff!
