🚀 SOCIAL CONNECT SYSTEM — Developed & Implemented at Hong Kong Food Market, New Orleans by Jagan Krish.Â
When most supermarkets think of marketing, they think of discounts and flyers.
At Hong Kong Food Market, we did something smarter — we turned in-store shoppers into content creators with a simple, app-free solution using QR codes and retractable banners.
On our busiest days, over 1,000 customers walk through the doors of Hong Kong Food Market — and until recently, most of that foot traffic disappeared without leaving a trace online.
That’s when I asked a simple question:
What if we could turn real shoppers into real content creators — inside the store, in real time?
🚀 Introducing: The Social Connect System
To harness this daily footfall and turn it into online visibility, I developed a unique, app-free strategy called the Social Connect System.
The concept is simple but powerful:
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QR-based participation
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In-store banners and standees
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A contest that rewards creativity
We installed life-sized retractable banners and standees throughout the store — especially near checkout and high-footfall areas — inviting customers to scan a QR code and participate in our #hkmarketcontest.
📸 The Contest: Built for Engagement
Customers were encouraged to:
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Snap a photo or short video inside the store
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Post it on their social media
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Tag us using #hkmarketcontest
From the first week, we started receiving a wave of authentic user-generated content (UGC) — from smiling selfies in the produce section to quick TikToks showcasing favorite finds.
🏆 Monthly Rewards & Recognition
To keep the excitement high, we:
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Select the best submissions every month
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Feature them on our official social pages
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Reward creators with gift cards
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Announce winners publicly — adding a touch of local celebrity status
đź’ˇ The Outcome: Customers Became Our Influencers
This isn’t just a gimmick — it’s a sustainable UGC engine that:
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Keeps our brand top-of-mind on social media
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Builds community engagement
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Creates a $10K+/month marketing asset — all through our own customers
And the best part?
It requires zero extra staff, no app downloads, and no technical training. Just simple signage, a smart QR integration, and a great offer.
🧠Final Thoughts
The Social Connect System proves one thing:
You don’t need influencers when you have engaged customers.
With the right tools and a clear incentive, your customers are more than willing to become your best marketers.
📸 Here’s the actual banner we installed inside the store!
