Dive Brief:

• Independent grocery store Barons has added build-your-own charcuterie board stations at its eight Southern California locations, according to a press release.
• Customers will be able to design their boards using a variety of items from baguettes and jam to gourmet cheeses, roasted nuts, dried fruit and marinated olives.
• The grocer said shoppers can customize their own "Barons Board" in 10 minutes using the ingredients and tips the store provides.

Dive Insight:

This holiday season, Barons wants to take the intimidation factor out of designing a charcuterie board. The company will guide shoppers with tips about how to build their board, what temperature to serve the foods, what types of cheese should be included and how to integrate a sweet or fresh component. 

Rachel Shemirani, senior vice president at Barons, said in a statement the grocer came up with the Barons Boards concept after realizing they had all the ingredients needed for shoppers to make them quickly and easily. 

Nearly one-third of shoppers predict the 2019 holiday season to be more stressful than usual, according to research from ServiceChannel. That means grocers have an opportunity to win with customers during the holidays with unique features and services, beyond the typical specials and sales, that can reduce stress and minimize time spent shopping. 

Barons is a specialty grocer that says it offers organic and natural foods at low prices. The company opened its eighth store in Menifee, California, in May and has plans to open its ninth store near San Diego next spring.