Creating a Butcher-Shop Atmosphere

Customers need to know you want to serve them.

A butcher-shop atmosphere is not created by hanging a sign that says “Butcher Shop.” It is created by what happens when a customer approaches the department.

Make the butcher accessible

If customers cannot reach the people with the knowledge, much of the value of having those people disappears. Sometimes it is simply eye contact, a greeting or “What are you making?”

Knowledge creates confidence

Friendliness alone is not enough. The employee should also know the product and be able to answer common questions about steaks, roasts, ground beef and cooking methods.

Special requests should feel normal

If the department offers custom cutting, make that visible. If steaks can be cut thicker or a roast can be sized smaller, customers should know they are allowed to ask.

Presentation reinforces the service

The packages should be clean, the meat properly presented and the department professional. Appearance is part of the customer's confidence.

The employee is part of the product

The customer may come in for a rib eye, but the experience they remember may be the butcher who explained the difference between two steaks and saved them from buying the wrong one.