Everyone steering the ship has forgotten that this is just a grocery store. It won't change the world and won't change how people think. Every new silly idea won't bring people in. The bottom line is we sell food to people and need to make a better effort to get back to the basics if we are to survive. Put an emphasis on keeping shelves full and offering good customer service.
No one talks about this anymore because it isn't exciting. Every silly marketing push, major event and bloated regional specialist is just theater that takes resources away from doing a good job on the floor. The front lines are what make sales and leadership treats everyday workers like the enemy anymore. People in charge who haven't worked a floor shift in a decade cut labor, cut titles and then demand buying changes while being completely out of touch to the day to day of the job.
The major issue is all of the time and money wasted on things that try to make this place seem more than it is. It is just a grocery store, nothing more. Treat it that way. Sell good food at competitive prices and offer good service. It's as simple as that. Losing sight of these facts is what has put us in the negative spiral we are in. Get your head out of the sand and treat this place like it is, a place that sells food and only then will you see the business turn around.
Until then it will be negative quarter after negative quarter until it goes under or is bought out. Too many quality people have already left and more are to follow unless drastic changes are made now. Cut bloated regional positions, add labor to the floor and price competitively and you'll see sales grow.