I have read many ALDIs are renovating ahead of LIDLs entry into the US and also to look even more attractive to consumers. The closest to my job just finished a 2 month renovation and is now much larger with reconfigured aisles and more products at the same low prices! -+
Yes--the new store in Bloomfield as well as the newly renovated store in Clifton both have larger produce sections with refrigerated cases in the produce sections (now called Aldi Fresh).
Aldi's model may explain a bit about the difference in refrigeration. Most items at Aldi have a very short time on the shelf due to the immense turnover of the products--and this is part of their unique business model. So there are still cases where things that may be in a refrigerated case in a conventional supermarket will not be refrigerated in Aldi. For instance, strawberries have a longer shelf life when they are refrigerated, but in Aldi, they may sell out completely every day so it keeps costs lower not to refrigerate that particular product. The same goes for other perishable produce products such as citrus and heads of romaine lettuce. The thing I hate about Aldi produce is that it is always wrapped in so much plastic and packaging. There is an awful lot of waste.
I've never stepped foot in an Aldi that did anywhere near the volume of sales to justify unrefrigerated greens. Whatever their business model... unrefrigerated produce is nasty.
First, they may very well have the produce in a refrigerated area in the back of the store prior to putting it on the shelf. That would make a difference (having it out on the shelf for a short time unchilled vs. having it in storage for a longer time in the same condition.
Secondly - think of how many places offer fresh produce in the summer season in locations with no cooling at all. Things like farmers markets in a park, even some of the farms at their own stands - and it's likely even warmer there (since at least in a store the store itself is going to be air conditioned to a cooler temperature than outdoors, which many of these stands are not, and the markets certainly aren't).
That is true but produce at farmers markets is fresh picked and hasn't traveled all the way across the country from California or Mexico. Plus, most produce at farmers markets is sold the same day it is brought in. It hasn't been sitting in warehouses and trucks for days with many more days of sitting on the self at a grocery store.
There is a possible turnaround for the Society hill Acme. A new proposal not only keeps the store on site but expands it as well: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/real_estate/commercial/Reprieve-on-the-table-for-Society-Hill-Acme-store-as-neighbors-and-developer-wrangle.html
Got pictures of the former Acme at 58th and Lindbergh, including some interior shots (though there isn't much left): https://www.flickr.com/photos/126577737@N08/albums/72157679724451004
South Jersey lost another small independent grocer. No doubt they could no longer compete with the Acme and TWO ShopRites in the area. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_riordan/family-supermarket-closing-nj-pine-hill.html?mobi=true
I found a really amazing video from the 1960's about supermarkets. Although it's not ACME specific, it answered a lot of questions I had about how vintage supermarkets were run. https://youtu.be/dJCj87WxIec
The Kmart next to the ACME in Devon is closing. I didn't see that store listed on any of the 800 store closing lists, but they have the store closing signs everywhere. A whopping 10-30% off regular retail prices. Most of the prices are cheaper at Kmart's that are not closing. Needless to say, this store has been a ghost town for years.
Super Foodtown in Wall is now closing! I'm still not over the one in Toms River closing. Lots of people in the northern part of Brick go there. It might help the Wall ACME a bit. http://www.app.com/story/money/business/consumer/2017/05/15/super-foodtown-wall-closing-june/322229001/
Yeah. I think you're right. I just looked at the map, and the one in Sea Girt is much closer to Brick. But who knows whether the lack of a supermarket in the northern part of Brick--other than Walmart or Aldi--will ever get filled.
Jewel-Osco (sister store of Acme) has put in a bid to buy Strack and Van Til in Northwest Indiana. Shows that Albertsons is still willing to buy! Should be interesting to see if the brand stays or if the stores become Jewel.
Not a single $300+ winner in the Monopoly game for King of Prussia, Paoli, Devon, Phoenixville, Glen Mills, Lansdale, and Norristown. Thank You for wasting our time and your dedication to Pennsylvania Albertsons!!
The ACME on Ferry St. in Newark, NJ is closing by the end of June. Styertowne has more details on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/115637162@N02/34056024753/in/dateposted/
I visited the store back in June 2016: https://www.flickr.com/photos/142408586@N05/albums/72157684130841006
The PA state run liquor store in the Phoenixville ACME is coming out and a Frosted Mug is going in. The State owned liquor store is moving to the other end of the shopping center. Also, a Starbucks might be going in. That would be the first Starbucks in Phoenixville because the city council has blocked Starbucks from moving in every time they have tried. But they let 400 Dunkin Donuts open up shop??? Found this out last night during a shopping trip. Acme executives were at the store after they attempted to upgrade the refrigeration system for the meat and dairy and it went horribly. The job was only supposed to take 4 hours Monday night and ended up going until late in the night Tuesday night. No fresh meat and a number of dairy coolers sat empty all day Tuesday.
I came across this picture (not mine) of a really good 'Xtrasavings!' deal going on right now!
ReplyDeletehttps://i.redd.it/yi8endv19zuy.jpg
LOL, that is great! ACME really is tightening the savings reins!
ReplyDeleteRenovations have begun on the empty ACME in Limerick, PA. Signs have gone out outside saying "Coming Soon - ALDI"
ReplyDeleteThis particular ACME opened in early 2007, so it's likely the 10 year lease has finally expired.
I've also heard that once this new ALDI opens, another ALDI in nearby Pottstown will temporarily close for a renovation.
I have read many ALDIs are renovating ahead of LIDLs entry into the US and also to look even more attractive to consumers. The closest to my job just finished a 2 month renovation and is now much larger with reconfigured aisles and more products at the same low prices!
Delete-+
Did they add refrigerated cases for Produce? I'll never understand why they just let it all rot on racks in the middle of the store.
DeleteYes they did! and their choices grew with the addition. I think all of them are eventually.
DeleteYes--the new store in Bloomfield as well as the newly renovated store in Clifton both have larger produce sections with refrigerated cases in the produce sections (now called Aldi Fresh).
DeleteAldi's model may explain a bit about the difference in refrigeration. Most items at Aldi have a very short time on the shelf due to the immense turnover of the products--and this is part of their unique business model. So there are still cases where things that may be in a refrigerated case in a conventional supermarket will not be refrigerated in Aldi. For instance, strawberries have a longer shelf life when they are refrigerated, but in Aldi, they may sell out completely every day so it keeps costs lower not to refrigerate that particular product. The same goes for other perishable produce products such as citrus and heads of romaine lettuce. The thing I hate about Aldi produce is that it is always wrapped in so much plastic and packaging. There is an awful lot of waste.
I've never stepped foot in an Aldi that did anywhere near the volume of sales to justify unrefrigerated greens. Whatever their business model... unrefrigerated produce is nasty.
DeleteCould be a couple things.
DeleteFirst, they may very well have the produce in a refrigerated area in the back of the store prior to putting it on the shelf. That would make a difference (having it out on the shelf for a short time unchilled vs. having it in storage for a longer time in the same condition.
Secondly - think of how many places offer fresh produce in the summer season in locations with no cooling at all. Things like farmers markets in a park, even some of the farms at their own stands - and it's likely even warmer there (since at least in a store the store itself is going to be air conditioned to a cooler temperature than outdoors, which many of these stands are not, and the markets certainly aren't).
That is true but produce at farmers markets is fresh picked and hasn't traveled all the way across the country from California or Mexico. Plus, most produce at farmers markets is sold the same day it is brought in. It hasn't been sitting in warehouses and trucks for days with many more days of sitting on the self at a grocery store.
DeleteThere is a possible turnaround for the Society hill Acme. A new proposal not only keeps the store on site but expands it as well:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.philly.com/philly/business/real_estate/commercial/Reprieve-on-the-table-for-Society-Hill-Acme-store-as-neighbors-and-developer-wrangle.html
Got pictures of the former Acme at 58th and Lindbergh, including some interior shots (though there isn't much left):
ReplyDeletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/126577737@N08/albums/72157679724451004
South Jersey lost another small independent grocer. No doubt they could no longer compete with the Acme and TWO ShopRites in the area. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_riordan/family-supermarket-closing-nj-pine-hill.html?mobi=true
ReplyDeleteI found a really amazing video from the 1960's about supermarkets. Although it's not ACME specific, it answered a lot of questions I had about how vintage supermarkets were run. https://youtu.be/dJCj87WxIec
ReplyDeleteThe Kmart next to the ACME in Devon is closing. I didn't see that store listed on any of the 800 store closing lists, but they have the store closing signs everywhere. A whopping 10-30% off regular retail prices. Most of the prices are cheaper at Kmart's that are not closing. Needless to say, this store has been a ghost town for years.
ReplyDeleteSuper Foodtown in Wall is now closing! I'm still not over the one in Toms River closing. Lots of people in the northern part of Brick go there. It might help the Wall ACME a bit. http://www.app.com/story/money/business/consumer/2017/05/15/super-foodtown-wall-closing-june/322229001/
ReplyDeleteI would think the people in Brick go to the Foodtown in Sea Girt, not Wall. Sea Girt is remaining open.
DeleteYeah. I think you're right. I just looked at the map, and the one in Sea Girt is much closer to Brick. But who knows whether the lack of a supermarket in the northern part of Brick--other than Walmart or Aldi--will ever get filled.
DeleteJewel-Osco (sister store of Acme) has put in a bid to buy Strack and Van Til in Northwest Indiana. Shows that Albertsons is still willing to buy! Should be interesting to see if the brand stays or if the stores become Jewel.
ReplyDeleteNot a single $300+ winner in the Monopoly game for King of Prussia, Paoli, Devon, Phoenixville, Glen Mills, Lansdale, and Norristown. Thank You for wasting our time and your dedication to Pennsylvania Albertsons!!
ReplyDeleteI won $25 and a bunch of free products! Definitely a huge improvement over last year when I won absolutely nothing.
DeleteYeah I got free pasta, French bread, and a whole lot of bagels. Also some nice discounts on meat products....
DeleteThe ACME on Ferry St. in Newark, NJ is closing by the end of June. Styertowne has more details on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/115637162@N02/34056024753/in/dateposted/
ReplyDeleteI visited the store back in June 2016: https://www.flickr.com/photos/142408586@N05/albums/72157684130841006
The PA state run liquor store in the Phoenixville ACME is coming out and a Frosted Mug is going in. The State owned liquor store is moving to the other end of the shopping center. Also, a Starbucks might be going in. That would be the first Starbucks in Phoenixville because the city council has blocked Starbucks from moving in every time they have tried. But they let 400 Dunkin Donuts open up shop??? Found this out last night during a shopping trip. Acme executives were at the store after they attempted to upgrade the refrigeration system for the meat and dairy and it went horribly. The job was only supposed to take 4 hours Monday night and ended up going until late in the night Tuesday night. No fresh meat and a number of dairy coolers sat empty all day Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteThe Acme in Bensalem on Bristol Road is getting a Frosted Mug Beer Garden.
ReplyDeleteNo off topic discussion thread was posted for June. Will there be a new one for July?
ReplyDelete