Retailer of the Year
week for retailers across the industry . Gildehaus also strongly focuses on technology and innovation , looking for new ways of enhancing the customer experience while also improving operational efficiencies .
A mobile app developed during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic is now in use at all store locations . The app allows customers to easily locate items , shop and arrange for delivery where permissible .
The Macadoodles website recently underwent a comprehensive overhaul in collaboration with GoDaddy , streamlining the process of making website updates and improving the customer user experience . Macadoodles also implemented GoDaddy ' s SEO tools to achieve higher visibility in search engine results . The company has made significant strides in enhancing engagement on Facebook , resulting in an amplified distribution score for its posts , and attracting a larger following and customer base .
It is important for Gildehaus to stay on top of industry trends to make sure Macadoodles is providing access to the products customers want most . Ready-to-drink cocktails are surging in popularity , so much so that both corporate stores were slightly reconfigured to allow for category expansion . Customers are also showing a high level of interest in the company ’ s directly sourced wines , a program that Gildehaus has steadily grown to give people access to products that are unavailable elsewhere . These wines , along with many other products , are regularly featured at Macadoodles ’ tasting events , which are held at store tasting bars and are also offered as sit-down tastings .
Macadoodles is actively involved in community engagement and philanthropic activities . Some of the many organizations the company partners with and supports include Lifeline of Northwest Arkansas , Sunshine School & Development Center Agency , Wounded Warriors and a number of golf tournament fundraisers .
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Slow and steady growth is what the future holds for Macadoodles . Gildehaus remains focused on building the company brand and identifying new franchise opportunities . He is always thinking about what can be done to make the company even better .
“ One of the key things I learned from working for Sam Walton is that if you ’ re not constantly growing and improving , you ’ re not going to provide the best experience for your customers ,” Gildehaus says . “ At Macadoodles , we are constantly thinking about how to improve the shopping experience and how to draw more customers into our stores . What else can we do to make things better for them ?”
On any given day , Gildehaus can likely be found on the sales floor at a Macadoodles
If you take care of your people , they ’ ll take care of your customers . Macadoodles wouldn ’ t be the success that it is without the commitment and hard work of every person who works for the company , and for that I am very grateful .
– ROGER GILDEHAUS
location , which is where he most enjoys being . He likes interacting with customers and says that talking with them is the best way to learn about their experiences and identify opportunities for improvement He also enjoys working with his leadership team , which continues expanding along with the business .
“ I ’ m fortunate to have a lot of good people on my management team , and my job is to oversee and support them ,” Gildehaus says . “ If you take care of your people , they ’ ll take care of your customers . Macadoodles wouldn ’ t be the success that it is without the commitment and hard work of every person who works for the company , and for that I am very grateful .”
If Gildehaus ’ s track record is any indication , Macadoodles is indeed only just getting started — and the best is likely yet to come . BD
Melissa Sherwin is a freelance writer and marketing communications strategist from Chicago , IL . Her work has appeared in Chicago ’ s Daily Herald newspaper , Time Out Chicago , Suburban Life newspapers , and various magazines . She is also the author of several children ’ s books . Follow her @ MelissaNSherwin .
12 Beverage Dynamics • June 2023 www . beveragedynamics . com