Retail Watchers

I've noticed several sizes (batches) of Suavitel softener at Dollar Tree...some look like they were the laaaast "sold for $1" shrunken size, others are bigger (that are more in keeping with the $1.25 price). I think Colgate-Palmolive is especially skilled at doing this (also the pump sizes...

The quality faults which have tripped up KFC specifically have been associated with the cheapening/streamlining of the in-store preparation. Since I worked there in the late 80s, they have moved much more volume away from chicken on the bone. Nearly all of that comes into the restaurant pre-breaded ...

I believe this is one in a series of videos---really quite well done and interestingly analytical. Watched a couple during Christmas specifically on KFC (essentially how long can KFC have such a strong international business with product innovation etc when the US business is so mismanaged) and Pope...

No argument, but miles put on surplus merchandise reduces the profitability pretty quickly. Upstate NY (like Michigan) has significant agriculture (tree fruit orchards etc) as well as processing facilities which are really the bedrock of an operator like this---there are STILL overruns and obsolete ...

I wonder if they're just a little over-expanded on the west coast--leading to not enough bargains and specials popping up to keep their channels full. Perhaps a more even distribution of locations (including expansion into NY/New England) will assist them with perishable closeouts (closer to manufac...

Last week had a wander through the Cathedral City (Date Palm/Ramon) RA. Huge rather echo-y in-line store in a strip center (also a Stater and smaller stores in the center). Oddly, no scooped Thrifty ice cream----plenty of room. Anyway, the checker (smile-y Hispanic guy) was charming and friendly--re...

I've got very limited experience with Sheetz---was in Lorain County, Ohio a year ago December when a Sheetz opened up at Rt 58 and 2 in Amherst...they were running gas price promotions, and noticed they had multiple e-XX grades of gasoline (which we're not familiar with in Michigan). Gas prices were...

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/02/08/sheetz-rezoning-madison-heights-opposition/72525972007/ Fraser and Madison Heights are solidly middle class postwar second ring suburbs. Madison Heights (12 Mile Road) is bisected by I-75, Fraser does not have an interstate. Interesting that...

https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-kroger-buys-great-sco/25961537/ In the story there's a mention of Kroger "investing" in Michigan---in the mid 80s they had a big "do we stay or do we go" crisis in Michigan, the result of which (as I recall) was two-tier wage ...

Given the location (Banner Elk) I wonder if this isn't at a resort of some nature. Thought I'd heard in the last 6 months or so about DG moving into some of these type stores (where resort staff can do receiving/stocking) in state parks etc. Sizes appeared to be "only carryable" as the lar...