Kirthi Kalyanam : Growing Demand for Quality Ethnic Food Stores in the Bay : KTVU
Kirthi Kalyanam, JCPenney Research Professor and the marketing department chair, was quoted in a KTVU article on the grand opening of H-Mart, a high-end Asian grocery chain now available in the South Bay. Despite the Bay Area’s massive Asian American population, there is a lack of stores combining the special offerings of ethnic markets with the quality of chains like Whole Foods, a niche which H-Mart hopes to fill.
An excerpt from the article:
“I’m actually surprised they don't have more locations in this area,” said Kirthi Kalyanam of the Santa Clara University Retail Management Institute.
Kalyanam said the Bay Area’s Asian American population is growing rapidly as well as the market for specialty ethnic foods. It’s a diverse need many mainstream markets aren't able to fill.
“It’s actually Asian food retailed with a western concept,” said Kalyanam. The store’s business model includes a food court and free samples.
Read the full article here »
Learn more about professor Kirthi Kalyanam »