Retail Watchers

Well, that didn't last long. Roseville opened in 2012, but Elk Grove opened in September 2013 and is already closing! Ouch. The stores were notified of closure on Thursday and the stores will close Tuesday. Ouch again. The Fresh Market will still operate one store in Palo Alto and one in Santa Barba...

Many things Safeway management had been talking up in recent years has been scrapped or is about to be scrapped. The "wellness initiative" (those pharmacy remodels with the nice wood clinics built into every store) has been scrapped, the mystery shopper program that they fired so many stor...

I still don't see how merging together two weak chains with major competitive problems is going to somehow create a powerhouse. Safeway has destroyed its purchases; Albertsons destroyed Lucky but sort of was okay with the other things it bought I guess. At least the things Albertsons bought still op...

We have not had any Quiznos close here in Reno area in over one year now. I think we only have four locations left. I had their pasta in the Denver Airport at some restaurant that was affiliated with Quiznos, I want to say Chef Johnny's or something. It was decent, yes, but would not wow you. How is...

The halibut pieces I got were barely larger than a Chicken McNugget too. At the price point of 9.99 for 4 pieces and a small portion of airy fries, I expect better. Much better. I was in Oregon so there was no sales tax so it was a flat 9.99 out the door. Had I been in WA and been subject to sales t...

Burgerville is a VERY poor value for the dollar. Portions are small and prices are high. Add to this the locations are in condition and decor that makes Burger King of the late 80's look modern and it just doesn't work out. I do think Burgerville has pretty good quality product, but the atmosphere a...

Fred's is more like a west coast drug store. More like a Longs, but lower end. Think Thrifty of 1990. Maybe a little lower end still, but you get the idea.

From what I saw, pricing and merchandising was pretty weak.

Rite Aid would be a better fit than CVS or Walgreens.

I just don't see a Safeway/Albertsons combination turning into a powerhouse by any stretch. Both chains are rigid, lack a culture that knows local operations well, and have major issues with service/price in all of their markets. Regardless of who gets the control (I'm not so sure it would be Albert...

I bought some OTC Equaline item up at Albertsons in Oregon and was surprised to see the "Distributed by Albertsons Inc." on the package. Maybe it was just old merchandise. The Equaline soap had Supervalu. Equaline Cotton Swabs also distributed by Albertsons Inc. This would also be a good t...

There are just so, so many issues. Safeway and Albertsons are two very different competitors with very different cultures. Merchandising is not the same between the two. Department sizes (bakery, meat, deli, etc.) are not consistent at all between the two. Then you have the loyalty card difference. ...