Hy-Vee buying Strack & Van Til

[pseudo3d]

It was a big deal when local ownership outbid Jewel for the stores (the main issue was overlap), but then they decide to sell out anyway, this time to Hy-Vee?

[storewanderer]

It was a big deal when local ownership outbid Jewel for the stores (the main issue was overlap), but then they decide to sell out anyway, this time to Hy-Vee?

Hy Vee might actually be a better fit than Jewel. I like Jewel but the further you get from Chicago the worse it seems to perform and the more lacking the stores seem to be... Hy Vee is hammering them where they compete.

[ClownLoach]

Totally irrelevant post from someone not familiar with the area or company, but the pictures of the stores look very good. They appear to be a very good operator, and the description of the deal sounds sincere when they promise not to screw it up or change it excessively. And the name, which I hadn't heard until now, is delightful. Few brands with a name like "Strack and Van Til" survive these days. Their logo though reminds me of an art supply store, looks like an artist pallete. Most other buyers would find a new shorter brand like, well, Hy-Vee or rebrand to something like S-V-T. Glad this will remain intact.

[storewanderer]

Their stores looked great when I was last in them, which was under the prior ownership and at the time they were not supplied by AWG. So a lot has changed in the background.

I expect Hy-Vee to maintain the quality of the operation. Hy-Vee staffs pretty heavily (not as heavily as they once did)... and has massive product mix.

[Bakeragr]

I noticed if you look at a sale ad for Strack & Van Til, they're now carrying Hy-Vee brand items. I had thought it was mentioned that they would be staying a member of AWG. Maybe they have Best Choice and Always Save items as well, but I find it interesting how quickly they integrated their store brands. Does anyone have any local knowledge about the stores and any changes Hy-Vee has made to them?

[storewanderer]

I noticed if you look at a sale ad for Strack & Van Til, they're now carrying Hy-Vee brand items. I had thought it was mentioned that they would be staying a member of AWG. Maybe they have Best Choice and Always Save items as well, but I find it interesting how quickly they integrated their store brands. Does anyone have any local knowledge about the stores and any changes Hy-Vee has made to them?

It is always business as usual when these mergers are announced...

AWG is a rather heavy competitor of Hy Vee, maybe both parties mutually decided to part ways.

[pseudo3d]

I noticed if you look at a sale ad for Strack & Van Til, they're now carrying Hy-Vee brand items. I had thought it was mentioned that they would be staying a member of AWG. Maybe they have Best Choice and Always Save items as well, but I find it interesting how quickly they integrated their store brands. Does anyone have any local knowledge about the stores and any changes Hy-Vee has made to them?

I wouldn't be surprised if S&VT was rebranded as Hy-Vee within a few years.

[storewanderer]

I noticed if you look at a sale ad for Strack & Van Til, they're now carrying Hy-Vee brand items. I had thought it was mentioned that they would be staying a member of AWG. Maybe they have Best Choice and Always Save items as well, but I find it interesting how quickly they integrated their store brands. Does anyone have any local knowledge about the stores and any changes Hy-Vee has made to them?

I wouldn't be surprised if S&VT was rebranded as Hy-Vee within a few years.

Store size may be an issue here but I wouldn't be surprised either. It will also be interesting to see how it goes.

Hy Vee will probably need to build some replacement stores to get to their larger size.

This initiative may be a better use of Hy Vee resources than expanding into Kentucky or wherever.