Publix is struggling against competition (Tampa: buying, grocer, shop)

[sware2cod]

Originally Posted by MAniacTHW

That's all that needs to be said.

As someone who worked at Wal-Mart for about a year, I feel bad for anyone who thinks their food is quality.

I buy things like ketchup and frozen meals and canned goods and bbq sauce and tea at Walmart. Plus things like aspirin or tooth paste. It's the same stuff you can buy at most grocery stores.

Walmart's produce has gotten so high priced that I don't even walk down that isle these days.

[MAniacTHW]

Originally Posted by sware2cod

I buy brand names foods at Walmart like ketchup and frozen meals

As long as you don't mind them being thawed out before being refrozen.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by sinatras

People absolutely love Wegmans b/c of the restaurants, the music, the events, etc. (hence the square footage needed). The meat and seafood departments are three or four times the size of the ones at Publix.

Publix will have a hard time competing with that b/c the people who shop at Wegmans will think Publix is substandard and won't go to Publix.

The people who shop smaller stores like Aldi or TJ's won't care about either one.

I guess I fall into that category. Especially since I have fantastic specialty butcher shops and real-deal fish markets nearby. For me, Publix and ALDI are just for essentials. Plus there is a new Latino food market that just opened near me, haven't been yet, but they have a large selection of unusual cuts of meat and other items that you won't find in mainstream grocery stores.

[a person]

Originally Posted by sware2cod

Walmart's produce has gotten so high priced that I don't even walk down that isle these days.

That's a shame, because most of the time they sell produce with a shorter shelf life (if it isn't already rotting in the store) than any reputable produce outlet.

If you must support the Waltons, don't buy their produce.

[sinatras]

I think anyone reading this thread will come to one conclusion: forget bigger fancier stores. Publix must lower prices to compete. When people think Walmart and Trader Joe's are too expensive, that tells you everything about the retail climate we are in.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by sinatras

I think anyone reading this thread will come to one conclusion: forget bigger fancier stores. Publix must lower prices to compete. When people think Walmart and Trader Joe's are too expensive, that tells you everything about the retail climate we are in.

That is exactly what they should do. If they did, I would probably rarely go anywhere else. I say, forget the BOGO, and gimmicky sales, just do like ALDI and have everyday lower prices. They already have a good selection of organic and gluten free.

[a person]

Originally Posted by sinatras

I think anyone reading this thread will come to one conclusion: forget bigger fancier stores. Publix must lower prices to compete. When people think Walmart and Trader Joe's are too expensive, that tells you everything about the retail climate we are in.

At the minimum in certain areas, yes. It would be nice for them to lower prices everywhere but I don't see that happening in more affluent areas.

[bobandsherry]

Originally Posted by sinatras

I have lost track of the number of times I have gotten a refund from Publix after being sold old meat. Same goes for rotten produce.

But still I go there because it's nearby. When Sprouts opens in a couple weeks that's over.

You get rotten meat and produce so many times and yet still shop there? Now that just sounds silly.

[HWTechGuy]

Originally Posted by sinatras

People absolutely love Wegmans b/c of the restaurants, the music, the events, etc. (hence the square footage needed). The meat and seafood departments are three or four times the size of the ones at Publix.

Publix will have a hard time competing with that b/c the people who shop at Wegmans will think Publix is substandard and won't go to Publix.

The people who shop smaller stores like Aldi or TJ's won't care about either one.

I agree that if Wegmans comes to FL, it would be a game-changer. I truly miss shopping there.

[sinatras]

Originally Posted by bobandsherry

You get rotten meat and produce so many times and yet still shop there? Now that just sounds silly.

Yes b/c it's the closest grocer to me. But Sprouts is opening in 3 weeks so that's about to change.