Is This The Way Forward For Millennial Retail?

Cone & Steiner in Seattle bills itself as “the corner store for the millennial generation.” Dani Cone, the owner of the small chain, chose downtown Seattle as much for its location as she did for her personal connection to the Emerald City. “I’m from here,” says Cone. “My family is from here. [Cone & Steiner is] based off my great-grandfather’s grocery store that was here in Seattle about 100 years ago.” Her great-grandfather’s store was also called Cone & Steiner. Walking down the aisles, it’s easy to understand why it appeals to its urban millennial audience. It has a grocery store, a wine bar, a gift shop, and a coffee bistro — everything that a multitasking Generation Y’er could want from a convenience store. It even has a club house-like area where customers can meet up, relax or play cards. “I came in here for a gift for my wife, a birthday candle and card,” says Joe, a Cone & Steiner customer. “And I see people here having a pint of beer. It’s a nice community area.” Cone’s commitment to building communities, encouraging entrepreneurship, and rallying people around local goods speaks to a larger shift in the way consumers behave today. They place a high value on sustainability all the way up to the corporate level. The “shop local” movements cropping up across the country highlight the American consumer’s desire to know how his or her goods are made and where they come from. The technology-native generations and their technology-fluent counterparts expect a certain level of convenience from all of their shopping and lifestyle experiences now. They aspire to live their lives and spend their dollars with purpose. Read more at NBC News.