Publix is struggling against competition (Christmas: to buy, minimum wage, food)

[clearlevel]

Originally Posted by loveautumn

Seems grocery wars are happening all over the country. People used to be very loyal to their grocery store and there were only a few to choose from but now people are willing to go to 3 or 4 stores to get exactly what they are looking for. In SoCal I go to Stater Brothers, Ralph's, Trader Joe's, Walmart and Target. But we also have Dollar Stores, 99 Cents Stores, Lazy Acres, Sprouts, Whole Foods,
and several other high end specialty stores all within a ten mile radius...it's crazy and the competition is fierce.

That's basically how I am. I go to Walmart, Target, Publix, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and the gas station sometimes. They've got some exclusive Hostess pastries I've never seen anywhere else... at the gas station.

[wsamon]

Originally Posted by BucFan

The young folks who run our new Aldi store are very attentive to their customers. It's a new store so who knows how long it'll be nicely run and kept in good shape. I think the credit card issue was a way to keep prices down but it's been more than a year since they've started accepting credit cards.

I've become accustomed to their off brand items. Rarely use the carts (used recycled boxes), but the 25 cent deposit is a good way to keep cars from being hit by wayward carts. Not a lot to ask of the customer to return carts to where they found them. European stores have used this method for ages.

Well that explains it with the credit. I only went about 2 times, and that was 2-3 years ago. I'll have to give it another shot, maybe at a different one that is bigger, newer looking, and near my gym.

Originally Posted by mrviking

I use my debit their all the time. They don't carry every item you would expect in a large grocery store but cover most of the staples you would need ... Options are what its all about when shopping. Blanket statements on who is the best is ridiculous. Pro's and Con's for each if you ask me.

I was talking about credit, not debit. I almost never use debit cards, and even less frequently checks and cash these days (except for contractors). Everything goes on credit first, where I get cash back and purchase protection, and is then paid off at the end of the month.

Whether or not they cover the staples depends on what your staples are. My wife is latin, and doesn't trust brands she doesn't know, so our staples contain a lot of Goya, Carnation, etc. products. She also only eats bread from the bakery department - and she's picky about which store it comes from. So far, Publix is her favorite by far. She doesn't like Winn Dixie's or Safeway's for example.

I totally agree with comment about the options and no "the best". Though, when I single and lived in the DC area I did love Whole Foods and a smaller niche place called Balducci's. The quality was so much better than any normal grocery store, even then though I had difficulty justifying the price despite being able to afford it lol.

[sinatras]

Originally Posted by clearlevel

I like going to Trader Joe's because I enjoy trying out their new stuff. However, I think your reaction to Trader Joe's is typical for a lot of people. You see Trader Joe's often switches out their food items. So, every 2 or 3 weeks, they've got new stuff. The thing that you saw last, week, won't be there this week. Some things they keep year round, but a lot of food items are held in rotation. Not sure why, but I guess they do it so that people keep coming back. I guess it didn't work in your case. You can check online to see the new stuff they add.

Also, I went to Lucky's, and thought it was like Whole Foods, but with not as big of a selection (the Whole Foods in Orlando is huge and dense). Lucky's did have a good candy section.

In a weird way, I still prefer, for example the ice cream from Publix (which has a wide assortment of ice creams of all kinds, and also their generic version of stuff is pretty good, as well as their household item. I also enjoy shopping the household items at Target.

"Trader Joe's switches out their foods every 2 or 3 weeks?" What in the heck are you talking about? I have been buying Trader Joe's chicken tikka masala for AT LEAST 20 years. Same goes for their red pepper hummus, their vodka sauce, tempura shrimp, veggie birds nests, chicken fried rice, etc. The majority of Trader Joe's products have been around FOR DECADES.

[sinatras]

Originally Posted by loveautumn

Seems grocery wars are happening all over the country. People used to be very loyal to their grocery store and there were only a few to choose from but now people are willing to go to 3 or 4 stores to get exactly what they are looking for. In SoCal I go to Stater Brothers, Ralph's, Trader Joe's, Walmart and Target. But we also have Dollar Stores, 99 Cents Stores, Lazy Acres, Sprouts, Whole Foods,
and several other high end specialty stores all within a ten mile radius...it's crazy and the competition is fierce.

Wow some of these retailers I've never heard of. Thanks for this!

[cjairo191]

What is Winn-Dixie doing differently? I have noticed that one off Waters and N Armenia has gotten so packed lately. I guess they are in a location that does not have really close competitors. The nearest Publix in Carrolwood near Bush and Dale is just too small (worst one in options I have seen). Can they not remodel and expand with a two story Publix placing parking below it? They appear to have the density for it.

[MAniacTHW]

Originally Posted by cjairo191

I guess they are in a location that does not have really close competitors.

This is true of almost every store in city limits. Seminole Heights has that one Publix and one Winn Dixie and they're both kind of far from each other. West Tampa has that one Winn Dixie. South Tampa has at least three Publixs (one being a Greenwise) and a Whole Foods and I think that's it in the way of dedicated grocery stores, Downtown has nothing (currently), Ybor has nothing...

[lluvia]

Originally Posted by cjairo191

What is Winn-Dixie doing differently? I have noticed that one off Waters and N Armenia has gotten so packed lately. I guess they are in a location that does not have really close competitors. The nearest Publix in Carrolwood near Bush and Dale is just too small (worst one in options I have seen). Can they not remodel and expand with a two story Publix placing parking below it? They appear to have the density for it.

The closest competitor is Quadro supermarket on the corner of Waters and Armenia right up from the W-D. That's where we shop.
Fruits, meats and vegetables are lower priced at Quadro.

[sinatras]

Originally Posted by lluvia

The closest competitor is Quadro supermarket on the corner of Waters and Armenia right up from the W-D. That's where we shop.
Fruits, meats and vegetables are lower priced at Quadro.

Wow I will have to check this place out!

[lluvia]

Originally Posted by sinatras

Wow I will have to check this place out!

It wouldn't hurt if you spoke Spanish when shopping there but not necessary.

[will cranston]

I don't think Publix has anything much to be concerned about. Competition is GOOD for everyone. The store with a big longevity problem right now is WHOLE FOODS which on the brink of being sold. They are not competitive at all.