Garrett Popcorn The Brand That is Chicago

Garrett Popcorn is opening its 9th store in Chicago tomorrow at 625 Michigan Avenue. Starting as a small popcorn store on 10 West Madison Street in 1949, Garrett Popcorn has since built 8 stores in Chicago, making them a city landmark. Ask anyone who is from Chicago and they will tell you they love Garrett Popcorn (believe me I have). So in a troubling economy with an unemployment rate near 10%, how does Garrett Popcorn increase its sales and open its 9th store in Chicago? One word, branding! While spending 60 years keeping their focus on their product and their love of Chicago. Garrett Popcorn is not only a household name in that city, they are the city.

Branding comes in several levels and is achieved in several ways. The reason why Garrett Popcorn is thriving is because their business model has always been based on this core business philosophy, create a superior product and treat your customers well.

While other Chicago businesses are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising and laying off employees, Garrett Popcorn is spending that money on building its newest store and thriving.

Yes, we have the internet and we have social media, but that is an enhancement of your core business model. Garrett Popcorn is doing it right. Their focus is on their product, (there is an actual chef at every store), and their customers. That is what it is all about. That is what your main focus should always be. That is what will get you through the tough times. Customer loyalty is the most powerful tool that will ever be available. They can make you thrive or fail in an instant.

Now that Garrett Popcorn has their brand, they are now using social media and the internet to grow, and grow they are doing. They ship their popcorn tins throughout the world. Although the economy is tough, people still need their popcorn and are willing to pay the money for their Garrett Popcorn. It isn’t about everyone knowing your name, it is about being a rockstar and having fans. That is why Garrett Popcorn is thriving and most are not.

With their word of mouth and customer loyalty, combined with the power of social media to publicize that, their success has no limits.

Nick Harrison ~ http://www.dashal.com