The Chicago-area chain takes grocery shopping to a whole new level, with in-store sweet shops, an expansive selection of candy, and an array of international treats.
Amanda Puck, director of strategic brand development for Mariano’s, loves to describe the chain as, “an experience.” It’s a lofty goal for a grocery store, but it’s definitely a goal they seem to be achieving.
Take a recent Tuesday morning for example — not exactly know as a high-traffic shopping time. Customers at a Chicago Mariano’s were greeted with samples of smoothies as soon as they entered the store. Then, they saw the sushi bar getting prepped for lunch, the smoothie station making fresh concoctions, fresh flower arrangements, new items at the bakery, and freshly made chocolate-dipped strawberries at the sweet shop.