There’s been a lot of discussion, concern, pessimism and optimism about the future of the stores that Supervalu sold last week (read: “Changes Coming to Albertsons, Acme, Jewel, Shaw’s and Star Market”). But what about the stores that Supervalu has left? One of the first things the company has decided, is that a slimmed-down company requires a slimmed-down staff. Supervalu[Read More…]
Might want to be careful next time you accept free samples at your local supermarket. Take too many, and you could get arrested and end up suing the store. That’s what happened to 68-year-old Erwin Lingitz of Gem Lake, Minnesota. In a federal lawsuit filed earlier this month, the retiree is seeking up to $375,000 from the store security guard,[Read More…]
Why should the originators have all the fun, while the copycats take the heat? More than a month after “gallon smashing” first hit the internet, spawning dozens of imitators and almost as many arrests, the three teenagers who started it all are now facing criminal charges. It’s all fun and games until someone goes to prison, kids. If you’re not[Read More…]
You may not have noticed that there were big changes overnight at the Albertsons, Acme, Jewel, Shaw’s and Star Market grocery chains. But you’ll notice the bigger changes that are still to come. Changes like new coupon policies and a potential phasing out of store loyalty programs – if your store even survives that long. New owners officially took over[Read More…]
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before – a grocery chain is announcing “new lower prices on thousands of items” to help its customers save. Somewhere, a Walmart ad executive is chuckling. This time, it’s Giant Eagle. The Pittsburgh-based chain unveiled its new price campaign today, lowering prices an average of 15% on more than 3,000 items. By its[Read More…]
Many people who hadn’t had a Twinkie in decades suddenly developed a craving for them last fall. When Hostess announced it was going out of business, there was a run on Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos and the like (read: “Twinkies Sell Like Hotcakes”). But will those cravings return, now that the Twinkie itself is coming back? A bankruptcy judge[Read More…]
Why doesn’t Walmart have a loyalty program? It’s a question many have asked – either because they wish Walmart did, or they’re glad it doesn’t. Walmart’s official answer is that “we want to offer everyday low prices to all of our customers.” But the real truth may be a little more complicated. The question was most recently asked and answered[Read More…]
Couponers have long complained that it’s easy to save money on packaged products, but it’s hard to save on fresh food. There are just not very many coupons, or rock-bottom sale prices, for meat and produce. But retailers may need to take a hard look at lower prices – because shoppers are demanding it. A new report says Americans want[Read More…]
It’s stupid, reckless, wasteful, destructive and immature – though, okay, if you tap into your inner 12-year-old, maybe just a little bit amusing. But it’s wrong. Bad, bad and wrong. And copycats are never as good as the original anyway. That said, what started out as a dumb prank by a trio of Virginia teenagers quickly became an internet meme.[Read More…]
What’s not to like about low prices on the things you buy most often at the grocery store? Apparently Food Lion customers found plenty not to like. The grocery chain is ending an “everyday low pricing” test and raising prices – so it can have more sales instead. The East Coast chain, one of the largest in the country, has[Read More…]
