BROOKINGS, Ore. — C&K Markets here tested its first product promotion tied to its new environmental rewards initiative.
Two of its 48 Ray’s Food Place Stores ran a one-week test earlier this month in which anyone who purchased an organic salad mix received five EcoUnit credits which can be used to support local environmental projects, ranging from tree planting to river conservation.
The stores that ran the EcoUnit-based promotion experienced a 24% lift in movement compared to the 46 others that did not, according to Kent Ragen, founder and chief executive officer of the Los Altos, Calif.-based EcoUnit environmental rewards program.
“Increasingly, consumers want to make a statement with their purchases,” Ragen said. “The EcoUnit program gives them an opportunity to buy sustainable products and help their local environment at the same time.”
The salad brand involved in the promotion was not released.
The 59-store chain, which operates 48 stores under the Ray’s Food Place, and Shop Smart and Price Less Foods banners, partnered with EcoUnit in March. Under the program, C&K gives customers two options regarding reusable shopping bags: they can either get a 5 cent refund for each reusable bag they use, or donate the 5 cents to obtain one EcoUnit credit.
C&K plans to run additional brand promotions.
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