Fresh & Easy Closing (San Diego, Pomona: real estate, credit card, neighborhood)

[oddstray]

I think Aldi stands a chance because it minimizes overhead so it can offer lower prices. As long as it offers quality stuff at the lower prices, even economically better-off customers will buy there. Aldi isn't like any grocery stores around here.

[sebastiannight]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

I don't know them well.. are they a typical high-square footage supermarket footprint? If so, I can't imagine they will do any better than anyone else. If they are a small-square-footage, storefront type store, they could do very well, assuming they choose the best possible locations.

It's a limited assortment grocery store. Store size about 17-18,000 sq ft. They sell decent quality food products at very low prices. It's normally called a discounter. Aldi is one of the most successfull food retailer in the world. I am pretty sure they will do very well in SoCal. They seem especially successfull in Florida and in the Houston area.

They have built a 850,000 sq ft distribution center in Moreno Valley, that allegedly can serve up to 200 stores.

[rosa surf]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

I just don't understand where they get the data that shows all this demand. I would love to see the market studies they did. I understand the market potential anywhere in SoCal will be huge due to the high density and big population. But the reality is that unless you are replacing a Vons with something else, there is just so much choice, everyone has a car, and it's so easy to vote with your feet and go to TJ's, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Costco and never set foot in a traditional supermarket. My opinion is that a high end market with high prices in a high-end location will do well. Similarly a latino grocer in a primarily latino area will do well. But if you are a middle-of-the-road grocer in a middle class location, you are going to get crushed by Walmart, Costco, Target, Trader Joes, Sprouts / Henry's,etc.

I like Fresh & Easy, but you can forget about it easily, and I think that is what happened. I hadnt been there for months and it is close by.

I shop at Sprouts, TJ, Costco, and Whole Foods sometimes.

The 'Latino' (Mexican) grocery stores are actually drawing very diverse crowds- I go to Pancho Villas and Northgate and there are all types of people shopping there. I MUST get my tortillas and other Mexican goods from these places!

[bloom]

Originally Posted by rosa surf

I like Fresh & Easy, but you can forget about it easily, and I think that is what happened. I hadnt been there for months and it is close by.

I went once (maybe in Chula Vista), BullBoxer31urftheriveter, and indeed it was ok-good but easily forgetable, lol.

[rosa surf]

Originally Posted by bloom

I went once (maybe in Chula Vista), BullBoxer31urftheriveter, and indeed it was ok-good but easily forgetable, lol.

The riveter- I like it!

[bigdaddy5]

With all these supermarket closures.....
I hope they open more Seafood City, Zion, H-Mart and Northgate Markets in their places.

[TristramShandy]

Originally Posted by bigdaddy5

With all these supermarket closures.....
I hope they open more Seafood City, Zion, H-Mart and Northgate Markets in their places.

I've never heard of Seafood City . . . but I know I'd like it!

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by sebastiannight

It's a limited assortment grocery store. Store size about 17-18,000 sq ft. They sell decent quality food products at very low prices. It's normally called a discounter. Aldi is one of the most successfull food retailer in the world. I am pretty sure they will do very well in SoCal. They seem especially successfull in Florida and in the Houston area.

They have built a 850,000 sq ft distribution center in Moreno Valley, that allegedly can serve up to 200 stores.

I wonder if they'll lose out to WinCo, though, which has the same business model (minimize overhead to reduce prices) but much larger stores with much more selection.

[oddstray]

Ooh! Northgate Market in RP, pleeeeeeeze!!!!

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by bigdaddy5

With all these supermarket closures.....
I hope they open more Seafood City, Zion, H-Mart and Northgate Markets in their places.

Me, too. Still can't believe there is only on 99 Ranch location in the entire county! And we can't forget about the Japanese markets....Mitsuwa and Marukai.