Comments on: “TV Karts” keep kids happy, quiet, and kinda stupid so parents can enjoy shopping

By: blue milk

blue milk — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:14:33 +0000

What an interesting post! I find it very difficult to tolerate the marketing of childrens’ characters on consumables. My two year old daughter is delighted to recognise things out in the world, it thrills her to see something she knows and can identify for you, so the wiggles yoghurt or the simpsons chips or the winnie the pooh nappies are irresistable to her and it is very challenging to explain to her that just because something has a character she knows (and likes) on it doesn’t mean that we will like the product and should buy it. It frustrates me that an otherwise harmless trip to the supermarket has to turn into one tantrum after another as I seperate her from these products. It has forced me to have conversations about being a thinking consumer earier than I planned, which is the only good thing about it.

By: mom

mom — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:50:01 +0000

Wegman’s is heaven, but also a bit like “The Firm” — valet parking, dry cleaners, photo center, video store, florist, restaurant. From a consumerist standpoint, I’m not crazy abou the mini shopping carts that the kids can push around behind you and fill themselves, but my daughter sure does love them. She used one once when we were visiting relatives (we aren’t in a Wegman’s city) and she still comments on it.

By: Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter

Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:39:18 +0000

MBGITH, I am so glad you mentioned Wegmans. When I was writing the post I had the fleeting thought — why wouldn’t a grocery store offer an on-site sitting service? — but I dismissed it as too crazy.

I also thought about the numerous learning activities you could do with your child while at the grocery store, just as you mentioned. I’m going to look around to see if I can find any such activities online — I’m guessing that homeschooling families just might have some suggestions.

Mom, perhaps a net loss in marketing exposure, but a huge gain in the quantity of shoppers with kids. Or so Cabco claims.

By: mom

mom — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:13:14 +0000

Great post. You’ve really hit the nail on the head by pointing to the system, and away from the instance. Laughably, though, part of me was left wondering if this gad awful invention might not be a net loss in marketing exposure given the aggressive marketing to children in the aisles of grocery stores. Is that a sorry commentary or what?

By: MBGITH

MBGITH — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 02:23:02 +0000

I want to ask Cabco, the makers of Cart TV, “What’s wrong with talking to your kid while you’re shopping?” You can show them why you purchase what you do; help them learn about nutrition; explain the value/price ratio on brand v. non-branded items (or store branded items) teaching them financial literacy, etc. I can’t tell you how many people I know in the 20-28 age bracket that have NO IDEA how to shop well! I’m not much older, but I shopped a lot with my mom as a kid, and I learned a lot by doing so.

That said, I agree that sometimes it’s nice to just have the time and peace to shop alone. That’s why I also love my local grocery chain, Wegmans (www.wegmans.com). I usually don’t promote stores, brands, etc., but this company is doing something right and more people should expect this kind of commitment. Not only are they consistently a top employer on the Fortune 100 best companies list, they are also on the list of most ethical companies, they actively market local produce, they are #2 on the Consumer Reports list of supermarkets, they were named the “Most Family-Friendly Supermarket in America” by Child magazine in 2003, and they won the first Food Network (2007) “Foodie” award for the grocery store that has changed the way we shop. What do I love the best? On site child care!