Publix coming to Richmond (2013, pharmacies, stores)

[sls76]

Originally Posted by lukas1973

Claiming that there is no price difference between Aldi and Kroger seems absurd to me. There are more than enough elaborated price comparisons between different grocery chains.
For example this one:
Kroger vs. Walmart vs. Aldi: Which Is the Cheapest Grocery Store?

In this price comparison Kroger was about 30% more expensive than Aldi and by considering the prices by using a Kroger plus card, still 20% more expensive.
Or just compare the weekly ads for an Aldi store in the Richmond area with the weekly ads for a Kroger store in Richmond. 4 lb sugar at Kroger for $2.19 vs. $1.79 at Aldi. Or an avocado for $0.79 vs. $0.49.
There are also more than enough Aldi food hauls on YT, where people are amazed how much cheaper Aldi is.
It's in my opinion also just logical that Aldi is able to offer cheaper prices. They have a significant lower cost structure. When I remember correctly Aldi has planned 10 stores in the Richmond area. Pretty sure they have done a lot of market research to be sure that they will be successful in Richmond.

There are many reasonable reasons not to shop at Aldi, like:
- I prefer name brands over private label brands. They gave me an emotional added benefit.
- I don't like to shop at several grocery chains.
- I need a huge selection. I hate it when I am not able to choose from several hundreds of different wines.
- I need a butcher and a cheese expert, so I can ask which kind of cheese fits best to my planned dinner.
- I hate the produce section at Aldi because it looks so unappealing.
- I need additional services like a pharmacie, a flower shop or whatever.
- I don't feel comfortable in an Aldi store, because many customers there seems strange to me.

But to claim Aldi isn't cheaper or the quality of Aldi products is substandard, seems absurd to me. I also don't understand why some people have issues with the carts or with bagging their own groceries.

I am also not quite sure about Richmond has lower food prices. Having a wider variety of grocery chains doesn't mean necessarily lower food prices. The competition between just two different grocery chains can be more intense than the competition between 15 different chains.
At least when I compare the weekly ads from different Kroger stores throughout the U.S. I can't see that Richmond has lower food prices. Profit margins in the food retail industry are very thin and it seems difficult how grocery chains in Richmond should be able to offer noticeable lower food prices and still be profitable. There are surely metro areas with higher food prices. But compared to most other metro areas Richmond doesn't seem to have lower food prices. But maybe I am wrong about that, not sure.

Not sure if you're from here (Richmond), but I can tell you the price of what I buy at almost any store in Richmond. I did a lot of research when Aldi opened and whether or not you find it absurd, I stand by my claim that Kroger's prices are as good.

As far as prices being low in Richmond, again, I don't know if you're from here, but they're extremely low compared to anywhere else I shop.

I've yet to meet anyone who has changed their shopping habits because Aldi opened in Richmond. It's just nothing special to say the least.

[VA Yankee]

Originally Posted by sls76

I've yet to meet anyone who has changed their shopping habits because Aldi opened in Richmond. It's just nothing special to say the least.

I think this line sums it up best, it also seems like we have experts in supermarket logistics who have suddenly moved into the Richmond metro.

[sls76]

Another way Kroger > Aldi for me is I get 6% back using my Amex for groceries at Kroger while Aldi doesn't take credit cards.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by sls76

Kroger also sells Tyson's chicken under a different label. It's $1.88/lb for chicken breast. Kroger's Private Selection brand is also excellent with extensive selection.

I've read a lot about Aldi. I'm a very careful shopper. I wanted to like it. It's a depressing experience and I don't think the prices are good compared to other stores' sale prices. The chocolate is pretty good but not worth a special trip.

If a standard grocery store is running a loss-leader on a given item they will be cheaper than Aldi. However, if you want that item on a week when it's not on sale Aldi will be cheaper. There are certain items that I only buy at Aldi & others that I never buy there.

I have zero interest in grocery store ambiance. I only care if the place is clean.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by VA Yankee

Most store brands are repackaged from major producers, I know that but to call a chain "discount" when the only way to save is to purchase the limited selection of store named products that is no savings. As for Easter candy what are you talking about?

Packaging plants don't repackage items. They have separate runs using other labels.

At Christmas & Easter Aldi imports holiday-specific chocolate candy for the holiday. I assume that you've seen Easter candy. At Christmastime they also important other holiday-specific foods, like stollen.

[sls76]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

If a standard grocery store is running a loss-leader on a given item they will be cheaper than Aldi. However, if you want that item on a week when it's not on sale Aldi will be cheaper. There are certain items that I only buy at Aldi & others that I never buy there.

I have zero interest in grocery store ambiance. I only care if the place is clean.

With Walmart Savings Catcher, you get all the local grocery store's loss leaders automatically price matched (so when Kroger has Domino's sugar for $0.99 and Martin's has Bryer's ice cream for $1.99 and can get both at Walmart at that price). Also, if you understand sales cycles (e.g., how often the pasta you buy goes on sale) then you can figure out how much to buy when it's on sale. It's not rocket science. No need for a special trip to a grocery store that leaves a lot to be desire for most of us.

[VA Yankee]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Packaging plants don't repackage items. They have separate runs using other labels.

At Christmas & Easter Aldi imports holiday-specific chocolate candy for the holiday. I assume that you've seen Easter candy. At Christmastime they also important other holiday-specific foods, like stollen.

Read post #87 I don't need to re explain what I meant by repackaging. No what is Easter Candy???? Yes I know what it is my line applied to your statement "Try to find the old-fashioned foil-wrapped Christmas & Easter chocolates at those prices. Not chocolate flavor, it's European chocolate." Your statement following the discussion of luncheon meat and made no sense.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by VA Yankee

Read post #87 I don't need to re explain what I meant by repackaging. No what is Easter Candy???? Yes I know what it is my line applied to your statement "Try to find the old-fashioned foil-wrapped Christmas & Easter chocolates at those prices. Not chocolate flavor, it's European chocolate." Your statement following the discussion of luncheon meat and made no sense.

http://www.candyblog.net/blog/item/f...ocolate_rabbit

[VA Yankee]

/\

Whatever I am not concerned about candy, as I said your post did not make sense.

[sls76]

http://m.richmond.com/business/local....html?mode=jqm

So long Martin's. I see Publix as the likely buyer as these stores are too small for Kroger. Too bad the Food Lion stores won't be touched.

ETA: I hope Kroger gets more Ukrops bakery goods. Although Publix has a decent bakery.