Lidl Plans First Two Stores in DC Region in Prince George's County (Silver Spring: lease, organic)

[highlanderfil]

Just wanted to pipe back down here for a second. A new Aldi has opened in a semi-affluent neighborhood near where I live and I checked it out yesterday. I enjoyed the experience and can only hope that Aldi will continue to try to cater to the middle class and hopefully improve its image that way. I can understand why the upscale stores are loath to go into lower-income neighborhoods (although TJs entire model has been to go to marginal ones and uplift them) - my own perception of Aldi was based on my experiences with shabby stores with grubby floors and shelves and merchandise organized every which way. Yesterday was different. While, much like TJs, Aldi is definitely a single-SKU environment (meaning it doesn't stock fifteen different kinds of corn flakes), it kind of works. I used to be able to go to TJs and walk out with a bunch of stuff, having only spent $25 or so, but for various reasons that's no longer the case. Yesterday, I walked out of the Aldi, having spent that exact amount and with my bag full. Oh, and they also take credit cards (which I don't think they used to do).

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by highlanderfil

(although TJs entire model has been to go to marginal ones and uplift them) -

If that has been TJ's entire model, they somehow completely ignored it in the DC/Baltimore area. There are no TJs at all in marginal areas. They are in areas that don't require, "uplifting" at all. If they did follow the model you suggest, there would be a LOT more TJs east of the Anacostia river. They don't even exist in the areas gentrifying east of Rock Creek Park in DC. Imagine that.

That's why I no longer want a TJs. Bring on Lidl. They didn't discriminate from the start. For all the begging people did for a TJs in Hyattsville, one of the hottest neighborhoods in the DC area, and for there not to be one, I say forget them. Let someone else get our dollars. It's not like people can't afford it or won't like their "unique" food items. Hell, YES! Organic's prices are astronomical and they seem to be doing well in Hyattsville. This area is one of the most diverse in the country. If TJ's can't recognize that then it is their loss. If Lidl is a hit, TJ's market share will shrink unless they get up off their elite arses and expand into the areas that have actually begged them to come. People will cease to care about TJs and start begging for Lidl to the detriment of TJs.

Explain this map if TJ's entire model is to locate in marginal areas:

[lookingbutnotlost]

I have never seen a TJ's in a marginalized area lol
They are on U Street, Alexandria, parts of Silver Spring...those are the TJs I have shopped in and it's never in the 'hood.'

[G1..]

Originally Posted by lookingbutnotlost

I have never seen a TJ's in a marginalized area lol
They are on U Street, Alexandria, parts of Silver Spring...those are the TJs I have shopped in and it's never in the 'hood.'

Nehter are Wegman's or Whole Foods or Harris Teeter's and very few Safeway's.

[lookingbutnotlost]

Originally Posted by G1..

Nehter are Wegman's or Whole Foods or Harris Teeter's and very few Safeway's.

I see Safeways in all sorts of neighborhoods. They're closing a lot of locations in MD though which is a shame. They'll be creating food deserts in some areas.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by lookingbutnotlost

I see Safeways in all sorts of neighborhoods. They're closing a lot of locations in MD though which is a shame. They'll be creating food deserts in some areas.

Capitol Heights is one of them. Wal-Mart in DC just across the line would have filled that void, but they pulled out even as the store was under construction.

[G1..]

Originally Posted by lookingbutnotlost

I see Safeways in all sorts of neighborhoods. They're closing a lot of locations in MD though which is a shame. They'll be creating food deserts in some areas.

Like where , exactly?

[highlanderfil]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

If that has been TJ's entire model, they somehow completely ignored it in the DC/Baltimore area. There are no TJs at all in marginal areas. They are in areas that don't require, "uplifting" at all. If they did follow the model you suggest, there would be a LOT more TJs east of the Anacostia river. They don't even exist in the areas gentrifying east of Rock Creek Park in DC. Imagine that.

Yeah, I probably jumped the shark a bit with "entire". It has, however, been a large part of their strategy, widely detailed in this book.

Originally Posted by lookingbutnotlost

I have never seen a TJ's in a marginalized area lol
They are on U Street, Alexandria, parts of Silver Spring...those are the TJs I have shopped in and it's never in the 'hood.'

Then their plan must be working.

[lookingbutnotlost]

Originally Posted by highlanderfil

Yeah, I probably jumped the shark a bit with "entire". It has, however, been a large part of their strategy, widely detailed in this book.Then their plan must be working.

Well U Street was well gentrified when TJs got there. Alexandria...it's near Old Towne, so not the hood and one is in Silver Spring off Route 29. Now if TJs was on U Street maybe 6 years ago I would consider them risk takers but they're not.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by lookingbutnotlost

Well U Street was well gentrified when TJs got there. Alexandria...it's near Old Towne, so not the hood and one is in Silver Spring off Route 29. Now if TJs was on U Street maybe 6 years ago I would consider them risk takers but they're not.

It wouldn't even be a risk. I keep saying over and over, their prices are low. lol Which is so frustrating and could lead people to believe they are discriminatory. 80% of the population east of Rock Creek and the Anacostia River can afford to shop at Trader Joe's. But Trader Joe's seems to think that these people are less educated, so they can't possibly be into unique foods from around the world.

My argument is that these areas are some of the most diverse in the DC region. So, what gives?