Safeway (stock, income, buy, capital)

[Jimrob1]

If anyone shops at Safeway have they encountered any of thier stores that are obviously catering to only certain segments of the population. I noticed this to some extent when I moved to Portland, Oregon. It wasn't as noticeable in its larger suburban stores, as in the city. A brand new one opened in my neighborhood within the city this week. The store is like no Safeway I have ever been in. At first I thought it was very nice, until I got a good look at the products sold. Everything is geared for the Young Urban Professional only. The store is obviously competing with the Whole Foods a few blocks away. Fancy this and fancy orgranic that, from produce to everyday products. There is not one item that a person that must watch their diet uses. Such as low sugar/sugar free or low carb products, low sodium products such as soups. I couldn't even find lunch meats such as chicken or Turkey Breast. It is all ethnic and Yuppie type foods, there is a sushi and a gelato bar. It all looks nice, but I felt it is glorified discrimination to anyone that is not a Yuppie type. The neighborhood I live in does have a strong reputation for not being welcoming to all people, now I see what they mean. I have never seen a Safeway like this anywhere, and wonder how they could get away with not representing the general publics needs in food to some extent. Since this is a store many in this area must depend on for lack of other options, I am going to address it to the store manager. I wonder if the store manager had even thought this store is being presented in this manner. I am sure he is.

[smilingoptimist]

I have seen evidence of this as well. It's not quite so bad here, being that we are a somewhat smaller town, but our "new and improved" Safeway now features an "olive bar."

[fearnofish]

We moved to the Oregon Coast (about 2 hours from Portland) a couple years ago from Idaho and it is a lot more "organic" here. Welcome to Oregon gotta be one of hippie capitals. I like the area but am more than ready to move back to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

[chet everett]

I hear there is place called Trader Jamie's where they only let you in if you have personally bought a failed West Coast Bank. Imagine the nerve! All the food has an awful New York smell. They slice their salmon real thin and cure it it salt. They have stuff that is sorta like smoked brisket, call Poshtramie, fancy pants they are.

[Jimrob1]

Originally Posted by smilingoptimist

I have seen evidence of this as well. It's not quite so bad here, being that we are a somewhat smaller town, but our "new and improved" Safeway now features an "olive bar."

Im glad your safeway stopped at the Olive Bar, this store here is just too weird and basically a waste of time to go to. Thanks.

[Jimrob1]

[quote=chet everett;6289261]I hear there is place called Trader Jamie's where they only let you in if you have personally bought a failed West Coast Bank. Imagine the nerve! All the food has an awful New York smell. They slice their salmon real thin and cure it it salt. They have stuff that is sorta like smoked brisket, call Poshtramie, fancy pants they are.

[/quote People have to buy food there is nothing they can do about it. When a major grocery chain is only catering to a certain segment of the population that is going to far. Im not talking about going into an Italian Restaurant here, where one knows the food inside is obviously Italian. Or some type of specialty store that caters to Suishi loves. Or even a Whole Foods that is basically a organic specialty store. Im talking about a full size major grocery store chain that is designed for the general public. This is the scenario that develops. Diabetics, People with food allergies, People that just have to buy certain products have no where to get them in the big neighborhood grocery store. Portland is a city that is designed so people will not own cars , so the option of going to another store isn't always there. No it is definitely glorifed discrimination to open a neighborood Grocery store such as Safeway did here. Thank you for your comments, I don't really have any public comments on them.

[Jimrob1]

Originally Posted by fearnofish

We moved to the Oregon Coast (about 2 hours from Portland) a couple years ago from Idaho and it is a lot more "organic" here. Welcome to Oregon gotta be one of hippie capitals. I like the area but am more than ready to move back to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Yes its a different world, this place called Oregon is. Im surprised more notice has not been made of how dominant the culture is here. It would not be so bad if all people were represented here, but really it is lacking in any real diversity and I guess that carries over into just simple grocery shopping. Im right behind you, its nice here, but Im getting ready to leave over some of what I have seen here.

[maf763]

Are you suggesting that grocery stores should be regulated to the extent that they must provide pre-designated product lines to satisfy all socio-economic and cultural tastes?

Yikes.

[Jimrob1]

Originally Posted by maf763

Are you suggesting that grocery stores should be regulated to the extent that they must provide pre-designated product lines to satisfy all socio-economic and cultural tastes?

Yikes.

Im not suggesting regulating anything. I am suggesting people need to buy food. What do you suggest? This is our only grocery store in this neighborhood, most of us do not own cars to travel elsewhere. It is definitely an expensive neighborhood, but many are not the higher income level. That is the problem with this store, and that is why it has made the news here. Virtually anyone from the Family needing to feed their kids, to the Diabetic, the elderly, anyone on a restricted diet can not shop in this store. The products are not in this particular Safeway. The store is basically stocked with nothing but expensive organic vegan type food goods. So no, grocery stores should not be regulated but if a major grocery chain is only serving the Young Urban Professional, what are the rest of us suppose to do. I thought Whole Foods was designed for those able to afford and eat those type food products.

[Steve Bagu]

Safeway is a large chain with many units on the west coast. They are liked in some areas and somewhat shunned in others. In a city I used to live in was a Safeway that did mediocre business. The chain in general has a higher markup on their groceries compared to other large chains. Anyway, Safeway sold two of the stores to a competition chain who remodeled the stores and business skyrocked. Customers liked the newer operation and the prices. Fast forward to where Safeway bought out the competition chain in its entirety and still operate the stores under the old name. The name is "VONS MKTS" in southern Calif. Ring a bell?. Safeway got what what they wanted in a round about way. I was connected to the grocery trade for 23 yrs. My son recently retired (medical) from Vons/Safeway and a Granddaughter works for Safeway in Arizona. Steve