Retail Watchers

Fast forward a little over three years later, at the Lacey, WA store. The TOP Foods store next door has closed. The Shopko has received new exterior signage. Out of curiosity, I decided to stop in and take a look around. Pretty much nothing has changed on the inside, not even the department signage....

I am not a huge fan of Walmart. With that said, I could see them doing very well with this concept, if they can maintain lower prices instead of the typically high prices found in most convenience stores. Being able to provide lower cost fuel without any gimmicks attached would also help, but that l...

I knew it was only a matter of time, given that the mall itself is closed, Sears has its issues right now, and The Andersons has recently closed their store at the mall. Consider this mall dead.

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/0 ... -Mall.html

I do recall there being one Dunkin Donuts in the Portland metro area a few years ago, but it seems to be gone now. I doubt that Dunkin Donuts would be making a return to the Northwest anytime soon. Krispy Kreme has fared somewhat better here than in a lot of other places, although they still only h...

I stopped shopping at Safeway many years ago due to the introduction of the club card. I took offense to the uppity attitude the cashier displayed when I did not want to provide my name, phone number, etc. I also stopped shopping at Albertsons when they rolled out their program, although Albertsons ...

A few of the articles have mentioned about how the combined chains would "bring lower prices" and be more competitive. Two chains merging, which each have their own set of issues, doesn't always work out so well, example Sears and Kmart. However, Safeway, and until recent times Albertsons,...

I know several people who live in Clatskanie, Oregon, where the only grocery store is a 1960s Marina style Safeway, which, despite a recent interior repaint and new signage, does not have a bakery, deli, or pharmacy. Many people will make the 20 mile drive for big grocery trips to Longview-Kelso whe...

Skipper's has a Skipper's Platter, which has shrimp, clams, one piece of fish, a cup of chowder, fries coleslaw and a drink for $11.99. I realize seafood is expensive, but Skipper's manages to keep prices reasonable, and (at least in Longview) has a quality product. Burgerville doesn't even include ...

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 ...

In Southwest Washington, there won't be many stores left to merge, although the two remaining Albertsons stores are located relatively close to older Safeway stores. I could see the Albertsons stores remaining in operation, possibly under the Safeway name, in Salmon Creek (Vancouver) and Battle Grou...