Wal-Mart poised to enter small-grocers fray

[joninaz]

A few years back WalMart launched a line of grocery stores which were smaller than the big box stores, designed to compete with average suburban supermarkets.

This newly announced "brand" is meant to be even smaller and will compete with Fresh & Easy/Trader Joes. Kind of like convenience stores on steroids. I really like Fresh & Easy - very convenient and a nice new mix of different offerings with some great prices as well. Both F&E and TJs have a lot of products they've sourced themselves after a lot of consumer research. F&E also seems to be very focused on organic and/or "more authentic" products.

I'm not sure if WalMart will do the same, or simply offer brand name stuff decently priced with some of their own products mixed in. What I don't like about WalMart is that they'll sell meat, for example, that is artificially bulked up with injected juices. I'm not a health nut, but find a lot of their products to be doctored and kind of feel like they are cheating! But hey, they are a business trying to maximize profits. On the flip side, AJs has great stuff but a lot of it is overpriced.

Best bet: Give them all a try and find what you like. I actually like just about every market brand in town for some reason or another... the chains, Sprouts, Sunflower, Whole Foods, the Ranch 99 Chinese Market, Lee Lee's, the Mexican Ranch Markets, etc. I love the overpriced salad bar at AJs for lunch now and again, but also can hit Food City's deli for a few items to go.

[mdtoaz]

Originally Posted by TurcoLoco

Help!! Damn Tucsonians jacked the Phoenix thread!!!

Sorry... didn't mean to jack; just thought you might like an opinion of someone that's been to one of the stores.

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by mdtoaz

Sorry... didn't mean to jack; just thought you might like an opinion of someone that's been to one of the stores.

Oh, I was being a brat as usual, no worries....hehe..

[Greatday]

The new grocery store noted in the original link IS NOT the "neighborhood" stores WalMart has - these are even SMALLER -

[HX_Guy]

Exactly, the ones in the article will be half the size of the Neighborhood Market stores. It says in the article that they will go in old CVS stores, so that tells you the size right there...the size and location of a CVS or Walgreens.

I like the idea. I sometimes run to the Walgreens on the corner to get milk if I'm out instead of going into the Fry's and going all the way to the back of the store...plus also walking through the sea size parking lot.
I like that the new Walmart stores will be close to the sidewalk and not setup in the back of the lot and it will be good for picking up something quick.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Greatday

The new grocery store noted in the original link IS NOT the "neighborhood" stores WalMart has - these are even SMALLER -

Oh! That sounds more like a convenience store then, and we need those like a hole in the head.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Oh! That sounds more like a convenience store then, and we need those like a hole in the head.

No, my understanding is (and the link I provided notes this) they are going to be smaller, complete, grocery stores. They are going to focus on fresh produce and such.

[Huckleberry3911948]

re: walmart
corporation motto, we are here to help
populous response, we are glad you are here

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Greatday

No, my understanding is (and the link I provided notes this) they are going to be smaller, complete, grocery stores. They are going to focus on fresh produce and such.

OK, I'll admit to not reading the article. That sounds good actually... I don't have strong loyalties when it comes to being given a good thing at a good price.