Harris Teeter 1997 Annual Report Download - page 10

Download and view the complete annual report

Please find page 10 of the 1997 Harris Teeter annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.

Page out of 36

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • 31
  • 32
  • 33
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36

Ruddick
RUDDICK CORPORATION
8
Our single-minded customer service
focus is the driving force behind all we
do at Harris Teeter. Excitement, conve-
nience, the quality of perishable and
prepared foods, and excellent customer
service continue to distinguish us from
our peers.
Recognized Excellence
Harris Teeter was rated the third best
supermarket in the nation in the
August
1997 issue of Consumer Reports.
In this poll, consumers gave us superi-
or ratings in each of the four cate-
gories, particularly in store cleanliness,
staff courtesy and checkout speed. Our
own customer surveys support these
conclusions and continue to reflect
shoppers’ satisfaction with our deli,
produce, prepared foods, bakery and
meat departments and with our relia-
bility in having sale items in stock.
Emphasis on Training and Education
We know that superior customer
service is the most important way to
stand out in the competitive grocery
store environment. To ensure that
our associates are at their best,
we continued to make substantial
investments in training in all areas,
including customer service, food
safety and selling skills. Harris Teeter
is also committed to continuing
education for all associates, as
evidenced by our Harris Teeter
University for Continuing Education
and associate scholarship program
with the University of North Carolina
at Charlotte.
Building Customer Loyalty and Image
Harris Teeter’s VIC Card program
boosts customer loyalty by offering
special everyday discounts, targeted
coupon mailings and other promo-
tions. It is also helping us learn
about our customers as individual
shoppers and how to best meet their
specific needs.
Harris Teeter continued to invest
heavily in advertising and promotional
activities during fiscal year 1997 to
further enhance our quality image.
Technology Improvements Aid
Customer Service and Efficiency
Information systems continue to be
a focus at Harris Teeter. Through
enhanced information systems,
category management has yielded
improved sales and margins in a
number of product categories. In addi-
tion, continued investment in store
systems allows store associates to
better satisfy customers as well as
control operating expenses.
The Arboretum Charlotte NC
Associates like chef Peter Stephen are always ready to
assist shoppers throughout our stores.
Harris Teeter
AND SUBSIDIARIES