For nearly a quarter of a century, Jacky and Sandra Hamilton have been fixtures in the grocery business.
In 2001, they purchased the Piggly Wiggly in Eutaw, a rural town of fewer than 3,000 residents in western Alabama. Since 2021, their store has become the sole grocery provider and a vital hub for the community.
While two Dollar Generals operate nearby, the Piggly Wiggly distinguishes itself through a commitment to customer service and a curated product selection.
When the Hamiltons first took over, the store employed 28 people. Today, that number has grown to 38, a testament to the couple’s investment in the local economy.
At the heart of their operation is store manager Ernie Halper, a 52-year veteran of the location (having worked there through its iterations as an A&P and Giant Foods), who instills a culture of greeting and thanking every customer.
“Our Piggly Wiggly strives to provide a good variety to the area customers, along with good customer service,” Jacky Hamilton said. “We’re open seven days a week, 364 days a year. Our store hasn’t failed to open in the 24 years of operation.
“Ernie has been dedicated to assuring our customers can get whatever their grocery needs are every day.”
Like many retailers, hiring qualified employees has been a challenge. “We struggle to find experienced retail clerks as so many local folks either move or drive to larger towns and cities to work,” Hamilton said.
“Our store has a core group of full-time employees mixed in with part-time employees to fill in for special needs or hours to provide the customer service needed,” he said.
Each employee is provided training prior to being assigned a permanent position in the store. After that, according to Hamilton, “Ernie trains our employees on an as-needed basis.”
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Strength in numbers
The Piggly Wiggly franchise model offers a blend of national brands and private label items.
“Piggly Wiggly private label provides a great product for a reasonable price,” Hamilton said.
To further meet customer needs, the store leverages a strong direct-store-delivery team for specialized and competitively priced products.
An ongoing reset program ensures new items are regularly introduced and shelf allocations are optimized. “We joined the Piggly Wiggly franchise format due to their strong presence in the state of Alabama,” Hamilton said.
Recent updates to the front-end system have streamlined the store’s checkout processes and expanded customer payment options.
He credited Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co.’s Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse for its support in providing product variety at competitive prices.
“Our warehouse also helps assure our store receives assistance with electronic pricing and accuracy of pricing at the shelf,” he added.
The store’s fresh departments are particular points of pride.
“Our produce and meat departments offer a great selection to our customers on a daily basis,” Hamilton explained. “We listen to customer requests on variety and pricing as we plan our operational and budgeting processes.”
While self-checkout is a growing trend in retail, the Hamiltons have chosen a different path.
“We prefer to personally provide checkout services to each shopper,” he said. “Our customers are accustomed to being checked out by a person willing to provide customer service on each visit.”
This personal touch, combined with a commitment to community and a well-managed operation, has proven a successful formula for the Eutaw Piggly Wiggly.