Stew Leonard's

 I have just been told about this four supermarket chain in the USA, located in Connecticut and New York: Stew Leonard's (or locally, Stew's). It was originally a Dairy shop that evolved to a grocery store that has a very peculiar and diferential retailing strategy. The New York Times has defined it as the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores".

I've never been, but from what I've found online it seems very interesting. The store is filled with animatronics that move, sing, flip in the air, moo,... kids can interact with them,... its a fun place for both parents and kids with a petting zoo with farm animals. Customers are also offered a large amount of free food and drink samples all around the store. They have a curious, simple and very clear customer policy engraved on a huge stone at the store entrance:

Rule #1: The customer is always right.
Rule #2: If the customer is ever wrong, re-read rule #1.

From what I've read online, people don't mind going the extra distance to shop at Stew's, they believe the experience is worth it. They've created a shopping experience very unique in all their stores, very engaging and exciting for families. It provides an area for kids to have fun while the parents shop. This new concept of selling has taken away the stress from long lines at the grocery store. The store is not organized like ordinary shopping stores, but has a circuit that takes you throughout the store (even though there are shortcuts). It sounds like IKEA's strategy of directing customer's around the store.

For more information you can visit their website: www.stewleonards.com

Has anyone been there? Would love to hear your experiences!