Retail Watchers

WinCo actually stands for "WINning COmpany":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WinCo_Foods

They have also opened stores in Utah.

I visited this Kmart again today, and since I have a cell phone with a camera now, grabbed a couple pictures.

I recently noticed that the Chehalis, WA Walmart has replaced their signs and is not using the "supercenter" signage. In Longview, WA construction is underway on a new Walmart Supercenter. Apparently the existing non-supercenter store will remain open, however, it is interesting to note th...

It seems that another prominent chain is cutting back in this area. I recently noticed two closed Shari's restaurants, one in Centralia which is right next to the freeeway (and has a painted-over hexagon-shaped road sign still standing) and one other in Vancouver, WA on Mill Plain at the Garrison sh...

Here in the northwest, Safeway used to have a lot of 24 hour stores, but has cut back, one near me is open 6AM-1AM. Fred Meyer even experimented with 24-hour food departments at one point in the late 80s before they adapted the universal checkout setup. 24 hour drug stores I can see a need for if so...

I have yet to see a completely rebranded store, but they are going by "Schuck's O'Reilly" when they answer phones and have ads. However, a lot of O'Reilly branded private label items are showing up in the stores. It seems like they are gradually phasing in the name like The Bon did when Ma...

Walgreens has recently applied to sell beer and wine at several stores in Washington state. There are many people who prefer smaller stores and like the convenience factor. As for drug stores being a general merchandise store, that was true for many years in Oregon and Washington as well, Payless ha...

What I find interesting is that in some markets Rite Aid has some stores with untouched interiors, along with brand new stores as well as older PayLess stores that have been remodeled. Portland, Oregon is a good example of this.

In Portland & Southwest Washington: The major players: Safeway, which has had a longtime presence in the region, and is updating many of their stores. Albertsons, which has also had a longtime presence but is neglecting a lot of their stores, and closing some. WinCo, which is a growing chain and...

An interesting development: http://www.columbian.com/news/2009/dec/31/kuni-auto-dealership-buys-vancouver-kmart-site/ Kuni currently does not operate dealerships in Vancouver, and it will be interesting to see if they can open a "higher end" dealership here. I did visit this Kmart yesterda...