Soviet-Style Shopping in Silver Spring
The Dutch company that owns Giant supermarkets has decided to focus on more store-brand merchandise, less variety and fewer discounts, the Baltimore Sun reports.
The strategy may allow Royal Ahold, Giant's parent company, to retain its supermarket business in the United States. It has already decided to sell its wholesale food business, says the Sun.
Giant's market share in the Washington-Baltimore area has been spanked into submission by big-box stores like Wal-Mart and Costco, and by high rollers like Whole Foods Market. Giant runs one market in The Blairs along East-West Highway (above).
Jeff Metzger, editor of a food industry mag, tells the Sun that Giant also must deal with complaints of poor customer service and limited product selection.
"If they can improve the quality and offer better prices, that's all going to help," Metzger says. "But there are other pieces they need to address and execute better."
Other analysts remain hopeful of Giant's prospects, the Sun writes, citing prime locations and 70 years of name recognition.
"Giant's Parent Selling Unit" (Baltimore Sun)
5 comments:
When I can go to Giant @ 5:30pm, buy ice cream, and not have it melted before I am out of line, I'll shop there. Until then, Snider's & Trader Joe's are my choice.
Giant is the worst grocery strore imaginable. I cannot wait until Harris Teeter opens up here. It's too bad that we're out of Publix's geographic range since they are phenomenal also!
Giant is the worst grocery store on earth. I can't wait until Harris Teeter opens in Silver Spring.
Gary
Congratulations! You are the second person to post a comment on The Daily Penguin. (The first posted comment dates back to The Penguin's earlier, pre-graphics days.)
As a token of gratitude, The Daily Penguin invites you to take more than 15 items to Giant's express line.*
* Excludes over-the-counter medications, paper products, food or drink. Giant does not guarantee the expediency of the express line.
I'm ambivalent over which supermarket moves into Silver Spring.
What's Harris Teeter like? More importantly, how are the deli and bakery departments?
My experience with Publix has been limited to its excellent carry-out fried chicken. How do Harris Teeter or Snider's compare?
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