Now that a deal’s been struck to return control of Market Basket to Arthur T. Demoulas, the grocery chain’s stores face a hefty challenge. They need to restock their shelves, fast — so the customers who supported them by shopping elsewhere can find what they need as they return to the Market Basket fold. I went to Market Basket store in Salem, Mass., to find out how that process is playing out.
The parking lot of the Salem Market Basket was relatively quiet yesterday. But despite a modest amount of customers, the scene at the store resembled a great big family reunion. The store’s workers greeted each other triumphantly and lavished affection on returning customers.
“We couldn’t have done it without you guys,” a worker told a customer. “Thank you!”
The appreciation seemed to be mutual.
“I’m happy for you guys, seriously,” a customer told a worker. “We missed shopping here and all the people who work here. I’m glad everything is back to normal. You got a hell of a CEO.”
Amid all that goodwill, though, there was some serious waiting work to be done. The store’s supply chain has been disrupted for weeks — with shipments reduced or cancelled altogether. As a result, inventory isn’t close to what it usually is. But David Webber, the store’s manager, seemed undaunted.
“Normally, I’d say we got a big challenge ahead of us,” Webber said. “But with the support we have from Arthur T., all our employees at the main office, I think it’s going to be a quick turnover. I think you’re gonna see product rolling in here this afternoon, tomorrow morning.”
Because so many Market Basket customers stayed way during the impasse, Webber added, getting the shelves back to full capacity will be easier than it might otherwise have been.
“We’re well stocked already, as far as groceries,” he said. “All I need to get the place 100 percent would be my meat, produce, seafood departments. And I’ve already gotten word that some of that’s going to be coming this afternoon and some’ll be here tomorrow morning.”
And for the customers I spoke with, the fact that some items still weren’t the shelves was no big deal.
“It’s gonna take a few days, but they’ll be up and running soon,” said Renee Holloran-Brewer, of Salem.
The Salem Market Basket is actually the place where I do most of my grocery shopping. I’ve stayed away for the past few weeks — partly because shopping there felt uncomfortable and partly because I figured the store wouldn’t have the groceries I needed anyway. But yesterday I went back and found that most of my staples were available.
Walking into the dairy aisle, I grabbed a few packs of Cabot cheese — cheaper at Market Basket than any other store I’ve found. There was plenty of milk, too, and a particular cereal that no other store seems to carry.
But there were also gaps: No fish, barely any produce, at least as of midday, and a pretty small selection of bread, too.
Still, by the time I checked out, it felt like the rhythm of my life was finally back to normal. Now, the challenge for Market Basket is making sure that every shopper feels the same way.
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