National MarketingPrior to COVID-19, Sarah Carter in Houston had been working with retail client 7-Eleven to bring to market a new concept: an elevated 7-Eleven specialty store for hospitals offering fresh grab-and-go food, coffee and beverage options, and high-quality snacks and sundries. This store model, coupled with extended hours and mobile ordering capabilities, fills a void for physicians, staff, patients and visitors looking for healthy options at most hospitals.
The pandemic accelerated this need for one of 7-Eleven’s prospects, Children’s Medical Center Dallas, which had been targeted for a permanent store. In March, the hospital’s executive team asked Sarah to help solve an acute need for a store with grocery items and healthy prepared foods and snacks for hospital employees. It was a quick pivot from a permanent location to a pop-up store that could be delivered in less than 30 days. Read more here. This pop-up store, which is in an auditorium that can accommodate shopping with social distancing, serves as a testing ground for the concept. The pop-up will transition into permanent space in the hospital and lead to new store locations in healthcare facilities across Texas. Another good idea put into practice!
