DOWNTOWN BIG"6"..What direction are they going??? (Houston: Whole Foods, area)

[citidata18]

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

I disagree...

Agree to disagree.

To summarize, these were the main takeaways:

*It is true that H-E-B locations vary widely across the state in terms of scale and amenities.

*It is true that H-E-B will be facing much stiffer competition while expanding in DFW than they did when they started expanding in Houston.

*It is true that Dallas and the close-in suburbs are much more transplant-heavy than the outer suburbs in DFW.

*It is true that Albertsons and Tom Thumb's prices are high as hell (and until recently with the new Tom Thumb stores, has experienced declining market share), and they'll be the easiest to take on with H-E-B's aggressive pricing structure.

*It is true that the H-E-B store in Waxahachie (the only one I've been to personally) is kind of underwhelming. So what works there may not work in Plano & Frisco.

*It is true that real estate in DFW is a lot more expensive than other parts of Texas, and certainly more expensive than it was when H-E-B expanded into Austin & Houston.

*It is true that Walmart aggresssively expanded in DFW in an attempt to fend off the inevitable invasion of H-E-B. They even attempted to acquire H-E-B once upon a time.

*It is true that, for now, H-E-B thinks Central Market is the best banner for expansion in the heart of DFW since it doesn't directly compete with Tom Thumb, Kroger, Walmart, etc.

*It is true that the footprint for the Minyard stores H-E-B flipped would have been too small for the type of stores they're building today, and thus they wouldn't bring in as much volume.

*It is true that H-E-B tried to expand in Louisiana and failed. I'm sure they want to be certain whatever they did (or didn't do) there isn't repeated in DFW before pouring a ton of money into new stores.

[spacecitytx]

Originally Posted by dallasboi

I actually said more than once that Walmart is the reason we don't need H.E.B.....We are LITTERED... with Walmart(still not on every corner like H.E.B in Houston)...So it's not enough room for another mass multiplying cost-cutting Grocer.

Except that Walmart ISN'T A GROCERY STORE...it's a DISCOUNT store that happens to sell groceries along with some of everything else. Sort of how a gas station doesn't JUST sell gas...you can also get toilet paper, headache medicine, baby wipes, and a few Slim Jims while you're at it.

HEB, on the other hand, is a LITERAL grocery store. That's 99 percent of it's concentration. And it's prices are comparable to Walmarts, except that there's MORE to choose from in the grocery department. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to infiltrate the DFW area...it's already leagues above stores like Tom Thumb and maybe even Krogers.

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Originally Posted by citidata18

*It is true that H-E-B tried to expand in Louisiana and failed. I'm sure they want to be certain whatever they did (or didn't do) there isn't repeated in DFW before pouring a ton of money into new stores.

I wouldn’t call the Louisiana tenure a failure. They did pretty well there before deciding to keep focus in Texas and it’s extreme loyal base found there.

[Exult.Q36]

Tom Thumb grocery store isn’t going anywhere. It’s a signature brand that started in Dallas. H-E-B coming into the market will just force other grocers to cut prices to compete. I don’t see H-E-B taking over the DFW grocery market because the area is already highly competitive in that regard. Honestly, H-E-B took too long to expand into the market.

[citidata18]

Originally Posted by Exult.Q36

Tom Thumb grocery store isn’t going anywhere. It’s a signature brand that started in Dallas. H-E-B coming into the market will just force other grocers to cut prices to compete. I don’t see H-E-B taking over the DFW grocery market because the area is already highly competitive in that regard. Honestly, H-E-B took too long to expand into the market.

Randalls had the same "hometown" advatange in Houston, yet it seems to be on its way out because of H-E-B with the recent closure of its distribution center.

[Redlionjr]

Originally Posted by dallasboi

We just have so many other options for bargain shopping...we don't need another low cost grocer. That's why I prefer Central market....They don't have to lower prices to be accepted in the community. ...Their service and quality products are what keeps people coming back.....Being Cheap is not the end all be all.

we Have:

*Wal-mart
*Kroger
*Fiesta
*Save-A-Lot
*Costco
*Aldi

and now..................H.E.B

Houston/San Antonio/Austin have those same ones plus H-E-B. And Dallas could use an H-E-B. I mean there's quite a few food desserts south of I-30 in the metroplex who would gladly invite an H-E-B.

Your not even a real Texan if you don't have a H-E-B in town. LOL jokes

[LocalPlanner]

I love all the grocery store talk but maybe we should get this thread back onto its original topic...

[dallasboi]

Originally Posted by citidata18

Randalls had the same "hometown" advatange in Houston, yet it seems to be on its way out because of H-E-B with the recent closure of its distribution center.

Randalls and Tom thumb are basically the same store. Tom Thumb is doing waaay better than Randalls in Houston......I think its because Upscale stores like Tom Thumb and Central Market are welcomed and embraced in Dallas.....Not so much in Houston....Thats why the only have one central market and Randall's is disappearing.

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Originally Posted by dallasboi

Randalls and Tom thumb are basically the same store. Tom Thumb is doing waaay better than Randalls in Houston......I think its because Upscale stores like Tom Thumb and Central Market are welcomed and embraced in Dallas.....Not so much in Houston....Thats why the only have one central market and Randall's is disappearing.

That explains why Whole Foods blossomed in Houston and not so much Dallas The fact you consider Randall’s upscale shows how low your standards are. The reason Randall’s is an after thing here is because we have way superior options here. Figured you would in Dallas as well but I guess not if what you’re saying is true.

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Speaking of, Whole Foods just announced their only store in the world with an in house brewery will be in the Post Oak location in Houston. Maybe Dallas will catch up one day

https://www.grocerydive.com/news/who...n-beer/597949/