Case Study: SLO Fresh Market

1285 Laurel Lane
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 593-0653

Owner and Manager: Gwen Schmidt

Company Description

SLO Fresh Market is a small community grocery store devoted to providing quality groceries at the best value. Built in the late 1960s, the neighborhood market has provided affordable prices and a friendly neighborhood environment to the surrounding community for over 30 years. Owner Gwen Schmidt purchased SLO Fresh Market in 2002 and since then, has committed herself to upholding the high standards in customer service and quality assurance that her customers depend on.

Philosophy on Diversity

SLO Fresh Market is located adjacent to several retirement communities and assisted living facilities as well as student housing, making its customer clientele extremely diverse. “We don’t purposely try to have a blend of ages that work here,” says Schmidt, “but the diversity in our employees sometimes makes our customers feel more comfortable. There is always someone they can go to.” Schmidt also feels that different age groups bring different qualities to an organization “Older employees provide stability, while college age students provide flexibility.” Schmidt believes that having a diverse staff definitely contributes to a positive and stable environment.

Diversity Implementation

SLO Fresh Market employees are of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. Schmidt’s philosophy when hiring employees is simply, “Are they going to fit the bill?” It is very important to Schmidt that the staff acts and feels like a family because a lot of the neighborhood customers are like family and appreciate the warm environment that her store provides. Schmidt knows that the tolerance she witnesses in the market is very special and that it is probably related to the age diversity. “The customers are tolerant of each other’s needs, which is something very special,” says Schmidt. “I also feel that working with older people makes the younger employees more patient.” The employees at SLO Fresh Market are very understanding of their older customers. They even have a grocery delivery service every Friday for those older customers who have trouble getting around on their own.

Results

The age diversity at SLO Fresh Market has given the employees and the customers the opportunity to interact in a fun and positive environment. Bob Calleway is one of the older employees at SLO Fresh Market and has worked at every market at that location for the past for 35 years. He feels that the age mix is very beneficial to the market’s atmosphere. “It makes working fun,” he says.

SLO Fresh Market is a prime example of a company that understands the importance of diversity in the workplace. Their ability to take care of the needs of all the customers further contributes to the longevity of the business as well as the customer loyalty and appreciation they experience every day.