How Tamura’s Market Went from Local Favorite to Digital Standout
Turning Community Trust into Online Momentum
For more than a century, Tamura’s Market has been a cornerstone of island living—rooted in the deep-community legacy of Makitaro Tamura, who opened the original store in the 1920s, and carried on by his family. From its humble start to a multi-location presence across Oʻahu and Maui, Tamura’s commitment to everyday low pricing and fresh local favorites—like their fresh ahi poke from the Honolulu Fish Auction, has built enduring trust.
But in today’s market, great in-store experience isn’t enough. That’s where SPARK stepped in. We helped Tamura’s deepen their connection with Hawai‘i’s digital audience, turning their legacy and passion into measurable growth.
Strategy: Blending Authenticity with Performance
We started by highlighting what makes Tamura’s unique:
Their premium poke counter, revered by locals for flavor and freshness.
Their reputation for fair pricing and community investment.
Their multi-location setup making them accessible across the island chain.
We then built a digital playbook tailored to their brand:
High-impact video and photo content showing the poke counter, the produce, the atmosphere of the stores.
Targeted social media campaigns focusing on local audiences with a love for fresh, island-grown produce and prepared food.
Paid-ad execution on platforms like Instagram and Google to capture shoppers searching for “fresh poke near me”, “local grocery deals Oʻahu”, and “Hawai‘i market specials”.
Ongoing content optimization: tracking which posts drove store visits and which drove sales, then refining accordingly.
Results: Engagement Up, Foot Traffic Up, Brand Momentum Up
Since partnering with SPARK, Tamura’s digital presence has shifted:
Follower engagement rates rose by double-digit percentages—more than just likes and comments, but genuine conversations in the feed.
Monthly ad-driven traffic increased to store-landing pages; more people saying “Saw the ad, came in for the poke”.
The content created not only built awareness—it built trust in a crowded grocery market. The “local favorite” tag turned into “local favorite we discovered online”.
Most importantly: the digital momentum is fueling in-store behavior. From increased weekend check-ins to more social mentions of “Tamura’s” when locals share their haul on Instagram Stories.
Why This Matters
In Hawaii’s competitive retail landscape, being “good” isn’t enough. Being visible and talked about is. By pairing Tamura’s authentic brand story with a modern, performance-driven digital strategy, SPARK helped the market not just participate online—but lead online.
Want to replicate this growth for your business?
Book a consultation with SPARK and let’s unlock your brand’s next chapter.
