Call us directly at 415-364-0000 or send a message using the form below.
Grocery Outlet, a value-grocer known for offering lower prices than conventional supermarkets, turned to Lighthouse for support in opening its first San Francisco store in 2012. This engagement highlighted the full force of Lighthouse’s services — including government affairs, media management, and community engagement — to introduce the grocer to elected, appointed, and community leaders, to set the public narrative around their entrance to the city, and ultimately win approval at the Planning Department and Board of Supervisors.
The initial store faced significant headwinds on multiple fronts: some neighborhood groups worried (inaccurately) that a “discount” grocer would provide lower-quality offerings, organized labor had concerns about a non-union operator opening in the city, and elected officials needed to be introduced to the company, having not had any previous relationship or experience with how they operate.
Lighthouse built a layered campaign that began with meticulous political mapping. We briefed supervisors, commissioners, and key department staff, framing Grocery Outlet as a locally operated business that would deliver fresh food, good jobs, and genuine cost relief for working-class families. In parallel, our community-engagement team partnered with local organizations and community groups to build coalitions that spoke out publicly in support of Grocery Outlet’s entry into San Francisco. We worked closely with local media to reinforce these narratives and educate the public and decision-makers about the need for Grocery Outlet in the market and the positive impact they would have in San Francisco.
After successfully opening the first San Francisco store, Lighthouse has since helped Grocery Outlet win approval on five additional San Francisco locations, creating a long-term partnership that has seen the company become a staple of the San Francisco economy and in the local communities they serve.
“Since we decided to enter the San Francisco market, Rich Peterson and his team have worked exceptionally closely with all areas of our company – management team, real estate, construction, operations and marketing – to ensure our business success. They are a highly trusted and effective resource for us, and have been fantastic to work with.”
