What decade is it? Thousands of frustrated New England shoppers are asking that question this week. The now infamous Market Basket payment issue forced thousands of customers back into the 80’s earlier this week forcing us to use only cash. I know as I was one of them.
Tuesday night while shopping at the Waltham Market Basket location, I noticed a massively long line at the ATM and customer service window. Blushing it off like as if it was a special coupon night, I continue shopping. I then started noticing something a little more odd: abandoned shopping carts, filled with groceries. What the heck is going on?
The Glitch
Then, over the speakers I hear: We apologize: our card reader system is down. As of right now, our registers can only take cash or check. We are working to fix this issue as fast as we can. You can visit our ATM near our customer desk. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding.
For the first time while shopping at Market Basket for eight years, the card reader system was down COMPANY WIDE. It was a shocking wake up call to the reality that our cashless world of computers doesn’t always work. I was a little disheartening to see thirty-plus people in a long line at the ONE ATM.
What was oddly noticeable was the fact that ALMOST EVERYONE LIKE ME, relied on some form of credit card to pay. Yes, you could use a check, but you had to fill out an application and get approved on the spot at the customer service window. The harsh reality is that we maybe relying TOO heavily on a cashless system, or simply, computers in general.
We appreciate your patience as today's service disruptions were addressed. pic.twitter.com/d2J720xybZ
— Market Basket (@MarketBasket) May 10, 2023
If you’re planning to shop, I’d call ahead to see if your location has fixed the problem. Hopefully the phone system is different than the card reader system.
I wish the store the best of luck in fixing this Market Basket payment issue soon, if in fact it’s not totally fixed as mentioned above.
It’s a great supermarket chain who loves their customers. While in line, they gave us cookies.
Massachusetts MOST Popular Grocer?
10-Trader Joes
I have never shopped there. Yet, it gets a mention in every TV sitcom. The marketing department gets props.
2022 market share: 3.0
9-Wegmans
2022 market share: 3.1
8-Brothers Marketplace
I’m not gonna lie. I have never heard of these folks. Maybe Trader Joes can get their name on TV.
2022 market share: 3.2
7-Costco
2022 market share: 4.2
I am not a member, because, I would go there and leave with a pallet full of Cheese Balls. (That’s right, I capitalize Cheese Balls.)
6-BJ's Wholesale Club
2022 market share: 6.8
See cheeseball comment in #7
5-Whole Foods
2022 market share 7.0
We have to admit that Whole Foods (at least when I lived near one) had the best prepared foods. Add to that, the cookie buffet on the cart with wheels, OMG! I have never had cream-filled oatmeal cookies like those at WF. I think Whole Foods was designed for well to do single people, as a reminder that one day, they will have to shop at Market Basket after they get married. It’s the hot nightclub of grocery stores. Like the drinks, the food is sexy and overpriced, for people who went there when we were thinner. I haven’t been there in awhile, but I bet they have added bathroom attendants.
But, I own a house now, and my cookie budget pays for my mortgage.
4-Shaws
Or it’s twin Star Market.
2023 market share: 11.4
3- Walmart
2022 market share: 12.3
I have a Super Walmart near us. I will say that carry a lot of the products that we like, that other stores do not.
2-Stop & Shop
2022 market share: 14.8
1-Market Basket
Market Basket is the Tom Brady of supermarkets with a whopping 20.5 share.
According to the Axois report:
Shoppers often develop allegiances toward their local favorites. You don’t have to look far to spot members of the Cult of the Demoulas that make Market Basket the top in the region.
- Market Basket’s appeal has only grown as prices rise. The chain is rated as the nation’s best grocery chain for inflationary times according to market researcher Dunnhumby.
- Market Basket stats showed they were more than just loyal customers in 2014 when they backed temporarily-ousted CEO Arthur Demoulas in a nasty feud that threatened the future of the company.
