What if Predator and an Alien open up a grocery store?
An exploration of the interstellar retail venture that would ensue if two of cinema's most terrifying extraterrestrials decided to enter the grocery business.
In the vast expanse of retail possibilities, few concepts are as simultaneously terrifying and intriguing as the prospect of a Predator and an Alien co-managing a neighborhood grocery store. Let’s explore what this unlikely business venture might entail.
Store Atmosphere
The ambiance would certainly be unique. Imagine shopping under dim, flickering lights with an inexplicable green mist hovering near the ceiling. The temperature would constantly shift between uncomfortably warm (Predator’s preference) and the cold vacuum of space (Alien’s comfort zone). The PA system would alternate between clicking mandible sounds and bone-chilling hisses, which most customers would assume are special offers they’re not quite understanding.
Product Selection
The meat department would be… extensive. Perhaps too extensive, with cuts you’ve never heard of and don’t want explained. The produce section would feature both Earth vegetables and mysterious flora with pulsating pods that the management insists are “just exotic artichokes.” The international foods aisle would extend to include genuinely international options—as in, other planets.
Customer Service Policies
Returns would be discouraged through an elaborate ritual of combat. Complaints would be addressed with intense staring from multiple sets of eyes. Shoplifters wouldn’t be prosecuted so much as “processed” into the next day’s mystery meat special. The loyalty program would involve some kind of blood pact that customers would sign without reading the fine print.
Business Challenges
Despite their formidable hunting and survival skills, our extraterrestrial entrepreneurs would face unique business challenges. The Predator’s tendency to rip out spines when customers ask to speak to the manager would lead to staffing shortages. Meanwhile, the Alien’s habit of laying eggs in the dairy section would violate numerous health codes. The constant property damage from acid blood spills alone would make insurance premiums astronomical.
In conclusion, while “Prey-Fresh Market” might draw curious customers initially, the inevitable confrontations with health inspectors, OSHA, and the Men in Black would likely doom this business venture before it could become a franchise opportunity. Some retail niches are perhaps best left unfilled.