With the looming end of Acme Style, does anyone think we should establish a Discord server for retail discussion? There's a Discord for seemingly everything nowadays.
Does anyone know about any changes within the corporate structure of Ahold since the merger? It was just announced that Giant(MD) is relocating their headquarters back to Landover MD, near Washington DC, from Carlisle. I feel this is a good move, since it will put management back near the actual stores. https://wtop.com/business-finance/2018/02/giant-moving-headquarters-prince-georges/
Quality Built update. Acme has remodeled and or is remodeling the following NY stores...Yonkers, currently closed for a top to bottom remodel! Patterson, Hopewell Jct, Mahopac, New Rochelle, Greenwich CT, New Canaan CT, have all received the Quality Built decor packages.
Wow, really? That's great. Heard about Yonkers closing for a remodel. Good thing there is other stores in the area, so it's not like they're going to lose customers.
@Ps and Qs: The other store is completely on the other side of Yonkers. No one is going to schlep all the way across town to go to Acme. The store they have closed for remodeling should be a good performer when they reopen it.
I find it interesting that Andrew Silverstein said Acme didn't open their stores well. It's not like they closed 20 stores in a year. Look at Stop & Shop, Key Food, and ShopRite. Their stores come and go.
That comment worries me. Do we have reason to believe some more closures are coming up? I guess it's around the time of year they usually announce them.
It is about the time of year when store closures are announced. Already Vons, Safeway, Star Market, etc. have already announced closures, and I imagine it's no exception with ACME.
Any speak of closures of older (non A&P/Pathmark) Acme locations? I have a feeling that Horsham, PA may close soon. I noticed the store-in-a-store Wine and Spirits seems to be moving to a new out-parcel and the store is in a pretty tired shape and only really seems to be used as a 'convenience store' from the surrounding apartment complexes.
Apparently, while looking at the Acmes of Philadelphia, I came across the following: - The (8200) Roosevelt Blvd. Store includes the rare "Blue and Green Awnings" decor package. - Most stores in Philadelphia include the "Quality Built" decor package, second being the PF&H, and third being Albertsons Marketplace. - Acme has two stores in Philadelphia from A&P that have not been remodeled. - Makeup of Acme's Philadelphia stores: - 25% early 2000's models - 35% late 1990's models - 12.5% adapted 33M models - 27.5% A&P-acquired models
Rumors run rampant this time of year with Acme. Some stores have been on the rumor list for over a decade.In fact some of those stores have been expanded and doing well. Most if the folks at store level take these rumors with a grain of salt. After all these shure things that were to happen and never did, all the eastern shore stores were to close, all the Delaware and easter shore Safeways were to be converted to Acme and the ever popular the whole chain wkuld be closed and reopened as non union Sav A Lots. Tbe ine thing I know for sure about this time of year is, those who say they know, usually dont.
The contacts that I've heard from have been no less than 100% correct for the past 10 years of the blog. I don't pass along any store closing rumors from unreliable sources and believe me, it comes in ALL the time.
I believe you,I have heard the connecticut rumors, I ve heard that some stores in Jersey are iffy,along with the usual suspects. Nothing would suprise me, but rumors are just that ,untill they happen.
I've got a BIG question about Ocean City, Maryland.
Why in THE WORLD did Acme not pick up the Superfresh on 12741 Ocean Gateway Hwy, Ocean City, MD? They chose the crappy 28,000 sq. ft., extremely outdated one... the other Superfresh was farther away from the coast, but it would've been easy to renovate.
Its funny how the world turns. Twenty years ago Acme gad a largeA Frame unit , now a Beach supply store, just 10 blocks or so north of the current store. They closed that store and Lewes, because of the low volume non summer months, could not offset tge high volume in season months.
Anyone know what store this is in the commercial? I'm either pointing to (a very faint resemblence) of Middlesex NJ, Oxford PA or Bordentown NJ (before 90's 'entrances' on facade / renovations).
Anyone have any guesses? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QcIxbK_FsY
Similar to Jewel... Acme started bringing back some of their private branded products. Supermarket Fan (Owner of NJ Supermarkets) recently posted a picture of some ACME breads at the now closed Newark, NJ store:
Well, I heard they are going to close a pile of ACME’s and that Albertsons doesn’t even want the ACME chain anymore. They don’t want Shaw’s either. I’ve been in a number of Shaw’s already, most are very nice stores. Prices are insane tho!
I don't think Albertsons would ditch ACME (who would want them, really?) especially the money they've put into it. Shaw's is more of a question though, given the lack of new and remodeled locations (one reopened in a former Hannaford last year) and the fact that they never picked up any Delhaize/Ahold stores.
Although to be honest, there weren't really that many of those stores available within their area. The only areas that really had any overlap of the two chains were in a small section of MA (where Shaw's already may have had stores nearby) and then the few in NY (where Shaw's isn't, and if anything would have been more likely candidates for Acme to add to their previous A&P locations picked up in that general area).
I continued my supermarket blog, titled "P's and Q's: A&P Preservation" today. I had started it back in 2017, but I was very busy back then. I have loads of spare time now, so I figured I would start it! My blog documents the history of A&P, and (almost) present day. I am going to be posting two 'smaller' posts every Monday and Wednesday, and a store post/tour on Friday at 8:00 AM EST. Plus, sometimes I will be featuring other supermarkets as well... (Thanks Acme Style for the idea! You're the best.) so stick around and read some posts!
Hmmm... wonder if they're going to drop the ShopRite brand from the health products. I just bought ShopRite cough syrup on Friday ($1.99/regular price). TopCare is also carried by Weis and Wegmans.
I've experienced very high prices and indifferent customer service at pretty much every Acme I've shopped. If I can go to cheaper stores and get the same indifferent service, why wouldn't I?
Good point, Mike. Acme was actually rated (according to Consumer Reports) top in Customer Service, (surprisingly, because I agree), but in prices they were rated one of the lowest (lowest meaning high prices). It's honestly surprising because I find no difference. Plus, some of their items are the cheapest available, so even if you're paying a dollar or fifty cents extra for an item, but there's another item on sale, you're still saving money (and most likely spending the same) than if you were to shop at another store.
And LOL, the same indifferent service... I would have to agree with that. Stores need to get their acts together!
One really has to wonder how they get those "best/worst" ratings anyway. Seems that a chain like Wegman's often winds up at the top (or close to it) which is hard to see given their relatively small areas of coverage.
Unlike rating, say pharmacies or stores like Walmart or Target which cover much of the US, groceries seem to be harder to do with the variation of chains available nationwide.
I've personally never been to a Trader Joes (as the nearest one from me is two hours away almost in Philly), but I keep hearing good things about them all over the place. And I can't believe they would even let Costco compete in the list of best supermarkets... because isn't Costco a pay warehouse club (the last time I checked)?
I've been at the Trader Joe's in Media (In a former PA National Guard barrick) and it is amazing in there. Iron Hill Brewing (forner A&P) is next door to them
Trader Joe's is great and all, but it's definitely not a full line grocery store. If you were cooking or baking something, there's no way you could be confident they'd have everything you need.
Where TJ's excels is, in my opinion, offering frozen items and meals that you just can't get anywhere else. Also, their prices on fancy cheeses and things of that nature can't be beat (except maybe at Aldi).
Trader Joes leans more toward a specialty store than a general grocery store. Just by judging the size of their stores, one would conclude they don't carry everything large supermarkets do. Instead they carry a carefully cultivated selection of foods many of which you can't even find in a regular supermarket. Just last week, I bought a bottle of their new organic carrot and turmeric juice with cayenne and black pepper. It's incredibly delicious. Can't fine anything like that at Whole Foods. Trader Joe's also focuses on carrying processed foods with basic ingredients and free of chemicals, preservatives and GMOs all at lower prices than regular supermarkets. They're doing something right... they have the highest sales per scale feet than any other food store in the country.
Acme has lost many customers on their terrible handling of the front end alone. Look on yelp for most stores, complaining about the excessive lines. My local Acme’s are King of Prussia and Phoenixville, customer service is far from stellar at either location. Produce at both stores, limited organic section and produce overall is far from being farm fresh. Neither store has been remodeled, and regular prices are the highest in the industry. A great ad every week will pull some customers in, but it’s the rest of the issues that keep most people away. Giant and Wegman’s kill Acme in this area, as both offer clean and updated stores, along with a huge selection of goods. With the main office in Malvern (only 15 min away), you would think they would do something.
I think I remember hearing that Phoenixville will be getting a major remodel soon. The wine store will be pushed out so Acme can reclaim the space, and probably add a Frosted Mug.
I think Phoinexville needs a serious update. It feels that all the stores around there are abandoned by corporate, almost. They really need a renovation there... Industrial Circus and earlier renovations should be OUT OF STORES by now! (Unless you're Stop & Shop... Lol)
Tomorrow is the GRAND OPENING of P's and Q's: A&P Preservation! We're kicking it off with FIVE (Yes Five) POSTS IN ONE DAY! Three will be LARGE STORE POSTS, and two will be EXCLUSIVE A&P MEMORABILIA SETS only available on the blog! So come visit for the posts on Friday, and see what we have up now!
https://psandqsap.blogspot.com/2018/02/update-1.html (P.S.: There's something special for the Acme Style visitors. I'm not going to give out too much, but let's just say... highly requested Acme store.)
Looks like it's going to be a rough year for grocery stores... https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/winn-dixie-and-tops-owners-are-said-to-prepare-for-bankruptcy/ar-BBJeV3y?ocid=spartanntp
On the bright side, this is probably a good thing for Albertsons-Safeway, and could give them an opportunity to expand their store base.
Yep, it's a great time for Albertsons. If Acme expands more stores in the New York-Connecticut area, that would be great. Plus, Safeway can get more Floridian stores.
I think Acme is having a hard enough time staying above water with what they have. I can't see them holding on to what they have, let along picking up more!
Although now with the Rite Aid purchase thrown in...
Since NY is one of the states that is keeping many Rite Aids (over 300 of the original just under 600 are staying Rite Aid), the company will have a fairly large presence in the pharmacy end, but very little in the supermarket side (just those few that they got from A&P in the southern corner of the state).
Meanwhile, Tops is mostly NY based (and aside from a couple stores they bought from Hannaford/S&S in their merger, none of them are close to the existing Acme locations, but may be to whichever Rite Aids are staying that name).
You also have the part about them gaining a stock, which offers another way to raise $ that they didn't have before.
So they might not be willing (or able) to buy the company outright, but there could be certain locations (or batches thereof) that would make sense (Tops has, at least in the eastern part of NY, many stores that are in smaller towns without other grocery nearby - those should do well no matter who runs them, just for the convenience of being there).
Will- I couldn't agree more. I didn't feel as if they would buy out the whole chain, but it would be promising for Acme to expand in New York once again. They should be able to cover the whole state sometime; Albertsons is missing from the region up there.
The Phoenixville remodel was supposed to have started already. I was in the store yesterday, and I assure you not a finger has been lifted to update the place yet. Phoenixville has seen a surge in higher income families moving into town with numerous luxury apartment/home complexes opening in the past year and many new projects planned. Seeing how Acme is the ONLY store inside Phoenixville (Redners and Giant are outside of town), you would think the place would have been updated by now. Really need to sink some effort into produce, as many items are well past their prime. Need to put a Starbucks inside this Acme as well, as it would be the first Starbucks in the area. Phoenixville has shot down numerous Starbucks over the years because they don’t want to ruin their precious down town and local businesses. But they have 800 Dunkin Donuts?? But in all reality, someone who is paying 3k/month for a luxury apartment, probably won’t settle for shriveled up produce at Acme that has 800 gnats flying on it.
Albertsons has this morning announced that they will acquire what’s left of Rite Aid. Interesting! Didn’t they just get out of the standalone drugstore business a few years ago?
I was at a Wegmans for the first time in many years a couple of weeks ago... what are those stupid checkouts they're using? It' 10 times slower. There were lines at all of the 25 OPEN checkouts. Does anyone have the same experience?
I don't think it ends up having any impact on speed. The lines at all of the open checkouts is because most of their stores are a mob scene during the day.
I live across the street from the Cherry Hill store and will only go at night, after 9 pm. Otherwise it's way too crowded.
Yeah, their stores are always crowded, Mike. I felt that it had an impact on speed... I had around five items and every single item that was scanned was 'lugged' over to the other side. It took around 10 minutes for checkout there.
When I was there, it was a day before the Super Bowl (Go Eagles!), and I'm not sure if it was REALLY busy because of that, or if it's always like that. I'm going to go today also to check it out, I'm in the need for some good garlic. It's surprising that the location (Bethlehem) is so busy, because there's one right in Allentown, and Easton, so it's not like others would be going there just for the experience.
With the looming end of Acme Style, does anyone think we should establish a Discord server for retail discussion? There's a Discord for seemingly everything nowadays.
ReplyDeleteA Discord would be interesting, Tim.
DeleteSomebody already made one a few months ago if it interests any of you: https://www.flickr.com/photos/batterymill/38013440054/
DeleteI just joined.
DeleteDoes anyone know about any changes within the corporate structure of Ahold since the merger? It was just announced that Giant(MD) is relocating their headquarters back to Landover MD, near Washington DC, from Carlisle. I feel this is a good move, since it will put management back near the actual stores. https://wtop.com/business-finance/2018/02/giant-moving-headquarters-prince-georges/
ReplyDeleteAhold is already in Landover, MD. They're probably trying to cut costs.
DeleteQuality Built update.
ReplyDeleteAcme has remodeled and or is remodeling the following NY stores...Yonkers, currently closed for a top to bottom remodel!
Patterson, Hopewell Jct, Mahopac, New Rochelle, Greenwich CT, New Canaan CT, have all received the Quality Built decor packages.
Wow, really? That's great. Heard about Yonkers closing for a remodel. Good thing there is other stores in the area, so it's not like they're going to lose customers.
Delete@Ps and Qs: The other store is completely on the other side of Yonkers. No one is going to schlep all the way across town to go to Acme. The store they have closed for remodeling should be a good performer when they reopen it.
Deletehttps://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/pompton-lakes/2018/02/03/new-jersey-nj-pompton-lakes-wooing-grocery-stores-fill-long-vacated-p-supermarket/1088197001/
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that Andrew Silverstein said Acme didn't open their stores well. It's not like they closed 20 stores in a year. Look at Stop & Shop, Key Food, and ShopRite. Their stores come and go.
Might want to give it a couple more weeks before your so sure about that.
DeleteThat comment worries me. Do we have reason to believe some more closures are coming up? I guess it's around the time of year they usually announce them.
DeleteI've received a few emails recently about some bad news is coming soon. Nothing is confirmed but the sources are very reliable.
DeleteIt is about the time of year when store closures are announced. Already Vons, Safeway, Star Market, etc. have already announced closures, and I imagine it's no exception with ACME.
DeleteBad as in catastrophic?
DeleteAcme Style... can you give a little bit of detail? I'd love to hear some of it.
DeleteI've already said too much. All we can do is wait for the official news to be released.
DeleteAny speak of closures of older (non A&P/Pathmark) Acme locations? I have a feeling that Horsham, PA may close soon. I noticed the store-in-a-store Wine and Spirits seems to be moving to a new out-parcel and the store is in a pretty tired shape and only really seems to be used as a 'convenience store' from the surrounding apartment complexes.
DeleteYikes, okay.
DeleteI hope the news isn't as catastrophic as the entire chain closing??? That would be a HUGE loss of jobs for people! Any idea when it will be announced?
Deletenjaldilover Agreed! The whole chain probably won't close (god forbid), but maybe just rebranding if needed (if it is that big)?
DeleteApparently, while looking at the Acmes of Philadelphia, I came across the following:
ReplyDelete- The (8200) Roosevelt Blvd. Store includes the rare "Blue and Green Awnings" decor package.
- Most stores in Philadelphia include the "Quality Built" decor package, second being the PF&H, and third being Albertsons Marketplace.
- Acme has two stores in Philadelphia from A&P that have not been remodeled.
- Makeup of Acme's Philadelphia stores:
- 25% early 2000's models
- 35% late 1990's models
- 12.5% adapted 33M models
- 27.5% A&P-acquired models
Yeah, Philly definitely has an interesting mashup of stores all in one city.
DeleteRumors run rampant this time of year with Acme. Some stores have been on the rumor list for over a decade.In fact some of those stores have been expanded and doing well. Most if the folks at store level take these rumors with a grain of salt. After all these shure things that were to happen and never did, all the eastern shore stores were to close, all the Delaware and easter shore Safeways were to be converted to Acme and the ever popular the whole chain wkuld be closed and reopened as non union Sav A Lots. Tbe ine thing I know for sure about this time of year is, those who say they know, usually dont.
ReplyDeleteThe contacts that I've heard from have been no less than 100% correct for the past 10 years of the blog. I don't pass along any store closing rumors from unreliable sources and believe me, it comes in ALL the time.
DeleteI believe you,I have heard the connecticut rumors, I ve heard that some stores in Jersey are iffy,along with the usual suspects. Nothing would suprise me, but rumors are just that ,untill they happen.
ReplyDeleteI've got a BIG question about Ocean City, Maryland.
ReplyDeleteWhy in THE WORLD did Acme not pick up the Superfresh on 12741 Ocean Gateway Hwy, Ocean City, MD? They chose the crappy 28,000 sq. ft., extremely outdated one... the other Superfresh was farther away from the coast, but it would've been easy to renovate.
Acme was more interested in the location than the store itself. They're planning to build a new store on the property.
DeleteIts funny how the world turns. Twenty years ago Acme gad a largeA Frame unit , now a Beach supply store, just 10 blocks or so north of the current store. They closed that store and Lewes, because of the low volume non summer months, could not offset tge high volume in season months.
DeleteAcme Style-- I had a feeling it was that; but it doesn't look like they're doing anything with it soon.
DeleteThe owner of the complex did not want a grocery store to return. This is mainly an outlet center and he wanted to expand the outlet concept.
Delete(My gosh I'm posting a lot here... again)
ReplyDeleteAnyone know what store this is in the commercial? I'm either pointing to (a very faint resemblence) of Middlesex NJ, Oxford PA or Bordentown NJ (before 90's 'entrances' on facade / renovations).
Anyone have any guesses? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QcIxbK_FsY
Similar to Jewel... Acme started bringing back some of their private branded products. Supermarket Fan (Owner of NJ Supermarkets) recently posted a picture of some ACME breads at the now closed Newark, NJ store:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/142408586@N05/27985865731/
Unfortunately they are not brining it back. That picture is from June 2016 and that packaging is long gone now.
DeleteYeah, that's a SuperValu product, and disappearing from Albertsons stores.
DeleteWell, I heard they are going to close a pile of ACME’s and that Albertsons doesn’t even want the ACME chain anymore. They don’t want Shaw’s either. I’ve been in a number of Shaw’s already, most are very nice stores. Prices are insane tho!
ReplyDeleteI don't think Albertsons would ditch ACME (who would want them, really?) especially the money they've put into it. Shaw's is more of a question though, given the lack of new and remodeled locations (one reopened in a former Hannaford last year) and the fact that they never picked up any Delhaize/Ahold stores.
DeleteAlthough to be honest, there weren't really that many of those stores available within their area.
DeleteThe only areas that really had any overlap of the two chains were in a small section of MA (where Shaw's already may have had stores nearby) and then the few in NY (where Shaw's isn't, and if anything would have been more likely candidates for Acme to add to their previous A&P locations picked up in that general area).
I continued my supermarket blog, titled "P's and Q's: A&P Preservation" today. I had started it back in 2017, but I was very busy back then. I have loads of spare time now, so I figured I would start it! My blog documents the history of A&P, and (almost) present day. I am going to be posting two 'smaller' posts every Monday and Wednesday, and a store post/tour on Friday at 8:00 AM EST. Plus, sometimes I will be featuring other supermarkets as well... (Thanks Acme Style for the idea! You're the best.) so stick around and read some posts!
ReplyDeletepsandqsap.blogspot.com
Interesting note today - in our local ShopRite and picking up something in the medical section, and they had a sign introducing...
ReplyDeleteTopCare items (the one there was aspirin).
Hmmm... wonder if they're going to drop the ShopRite brand from the health products. I just bought ShopRite cough syrup on Friday ($1.99/regular price). TopCare is also carried by Weis and Wegmans.
DeleteAcme has been rated #4 for 'worst supermarket of the year' for countless times. Why does everyone think that is? I don't find any problem with Acme.
ReplyDeleteI've experienced very high prices and indifferent customer service at pretty much every Acme I've shopped. If I can go to cheaper stores and get the same indifferent service, why wouldn't I?
DeleteGood point, Mike. Acme was actually rated (according to Consumer Reports) top in Customer Service, (surprisingly, because I agree), but in prices they were rated one of the lowest (lowest meaning high prices). It's honestly surprising because I find no difference. Plus, some of their items are the cheapest available, so even if you're paying a dollar or fifty cents extra for an item, but there's another item on sale, you're still saving money (and most likely spending the same) than if you were to shop at another store.
DeleteAnd LOL, the same indifferent service... I would have to agree with that. Stores need to get their acts together!
All of those "best/worst" ones are clickbait. Why are Costco and Trader Joe's the "best" when their product selection is incredibly poor?
DeleteGuess you haven't been to a Trader Joes.
DeleteOne really has to wonder how they get those "best/worst" ratings anyway.
DeleteSeems that a chain like Wegman's often winds up at the top (or close to it) which is hard to see given their relatively small areas of coverage.
Unlike rating, say pharmacies or stores like Walmart or Target which cover much of the US, groceries seem to be harder to do with the variation of chains available nationwide.
I've personally never been to a Trader Joes (as the nearest one from me is two hours away almost in Philly), but I keep hearing good things about them all over the place. And I can't believe they would even let Costco compete in the list of best supermarkets... because isn't Costco a pay warehouse club (the last time I checked)?
DeleteI've been at the Trader Joe's in Media (In a former PA National Guard barrick) and it is amazing in there. Iron Hill Brewing (forner A&P) is next door to them
DeleteTrader Joe's is great and all, but it's definitely not a full line grocery store. If you were cooking or baking something, there's no way you could be confident they'd have everything you need.
DeleteWhere TJ's excels is, in my opinion, offering frozen items and meals that you just can't get anywhere else. Also, their prices on fancy cheeses and things of that nature can't be beat (except maybe at Aldi).
Trader Joes leans more toward a specialty store than a general grocery store. Just by judging the size of their stores, one would conclude they don't carry everything large supermarkets do. Instead they carry a carefully cultivated selection of foods many of which you can't even find in a regular supermarket. Just last week, I bought a bottle of their new organic carrot and turmeric juice with cayenne and black pepper. It's incredibly delicious. Can't fine anything like that at Whole Foods. Trader Joe's also focuses on carrying processed foods with basic ingredients and free of chemicals, preservatives and GMOs all at lower prices than regular supermarkets. They're doing something right... they have the highest sales per scale feet than any other food store in the country.
DeleteAcme has lost many customers on their terrible handling of the front end alone. Look on yelp for most stores, complaining about the excessive lines. My local Acme’s are King of Prussia and Phoenixville, customer service is far from stellar at either location. Produce at both stores, limited organic section and produce overall is far from being farm fresh. Neither store has been remodeled, and regular prices are the highest in the industry. A great ad every week will pull some customers in, but it’s the rest of the issues that keep most people away. Giant and Wegman’s kill Acme in this area, as both offer clean and updated stores, along with a huge selection of goods. With the main office in Malvern (only 15 min away), you would think they would do something.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember hearing that Phoenixville will be getting a major remodel soon. The wine store will be pushed out so Acme can reclaim the space, and probably add a Frosted Mug.
DeleteI think Phoinexville needs a serious update. It feels that all the stores around there are abandoned by corporate, almost. They really need a renovation there... Industrial Circus and earlier renovations should be OUT OF STORES by now! (Unless you're Stop & Shop... Lol)
DeleteTomorrow is the GRAND OPENING of P's and Q's: A&P Preservation! We're kicking it off with FIVE (Yes Five) POSTS IN ONE DAY! Three will be LARGE STORE POSTS, and two will be EXCLUSIVE A&P MEMORABILIA SETS only available on the blog! So come visit for the posts on Friday, and see what we have up now!
ReplyDeletehttps://psandqsap.blogspot.com/2018/02/update-1.html
(P.S.: There's something special for the Acme Style visitors. I'm not going to give out too much, but let's just say... highly requested Acme store.)
The Special Store Post at P's and Q's This Week is the ACME in Doylestown, PA.
ReplyDeleteAcme Style-- I give you permission to use my photos and writing for a post.
https://psandqsap.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-other-store-acme-markets-doylestown.html
Thanks but I'll be covering the store this Spring after I visit it myself.
DeleteYou're going to the store, Acme Style? Nice! Could I make a few recommendations in the area? There's some interesting retail.
DeleteLooks like it's going to be a rough year for grocery stores...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/winn-dixie-and-tops-owners-are-said-to-prepare-for-bankruptcy/ar-BBJeV3y?ocid=spartanntp
On the bright side, this is probably a good thing for Albertsons-Safeway, and could give them an opportunity to expand their store base.
Yep, it's a great time for Albertsons. If Acme expands more stores in the New York-Connecticut area, that would be great. Plus, Safeway can get more Floridian stores.
DeleteI think Acme is having a hard enough time staying above water with what they have. I can't see them holding on to what they have, let along picking up more!
DeleteYou got that right, Mike.
DeleteAlthough now with the Rite Aid purchase thrown in...
DeleteSince NY is one of the states that is keeping many Rite Aids (over 300 of the original just under 600 are staying Rite Aid), the company will have a fairly large presence in the pharmacy end, but very little in the supermarket side (just those few that they got from A&P in the southern corner of the state).
Meanwhile, Tops is mostly NY based (and aside from a couple stores they bought from Hannaford/S&S in their merger, none of them are close to the existing Acme locations, but may be to whichever Rite Aids are staying that name).
You also have the part about them gaining a stock, which offers another way to raise $ that they didn't have before.
So they might not be willing (or able) to buy the company outright, but there could be certain locations (or batches thereof) that would make sense (Tops has, at least in the eastern part of NY, many stores that are in smaller towns without other grocery nearby - those should do well no matter who runs them, just for the convenience of being there).
Will- I couldn't agree more. I didn't feel as if they would buy out the whole chain, but it would be promising for Acme to expand in New York once again. They should be able to cover the whole state sometime; Albertsons is missing from the region up there.
DeleteThe Phoenixville remodel was supposed to have started already. I was in the store yesterday, and I assure you not a finger has been lifted to update the place yet. Phoenixville has seen a surge in higher income families moving into town with numerous luxury apartment/home complexes opening in the past year and many new projects planned. Seeing how Acme is the ONLY store inside Phoenixville (Redners and Giant are outside of town), you would think the place would have been updated by now. Really need to sink some effort into produce, as many items are well past their prime. Need to put a Starbucks inside this Acme as well, as it would be the first Starbucks in the area. Phoenixville has shot down numerous Starbucks over the years because they don’t want to ruin their precious down town and local businesses. But they have 800 Dunkin Donuts?? But in all reality, someone who is paying 3k/month for a luxury apartment, probably won’t settle for shriveled up produce at Acme that has 800 gnats flying on it.
ReplyDeleteBig changes to the pharmacy front, with the announced merger with Albertsons and Rite Aid. Is this the end of Sav-On?
ReplyDeleteAlbertsons has this morning announced that they will acquire what’s left of Rite Aid. Interesting! Didn’t they just get out of the standalone drugstore business a few years ago?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2018/02/20/grocery-giant-albertsons-to-buy-remaining-rite-aid-drugstores/#2972ff8f5e8f
ReplyDeleteSo it's the end of SavOn, y'all! They'll al most likely be renamed to RiteAid at all of the Albertson's banners. Exciting!
You can bet that Jewel will not drop the Osco name. But every other banner will be "Insert Banner Here" Rite Aid
DeleteThat's pretty funny, Mike. I could picture it now... Jewel Rite Aid. Perfect fit, LOL!
DeleteI was at a Wegmans for the first time in many years a couple of weeks ago... what are those stupid checkouts they're using? It' 10 times slower. There were lines at all of the 25 OPEN checkouts. Does anyone have the same experience?
ReplyDeleteI don't think it ends up having any impact on speed. The lines at all of the open checkouts is because most of their stores are a mob scene during the day.
DeleteI live across the street from the Cherry Hill store and will only go at night, after 9 pm. Otherwise it's way too crowded.
Yeah, their stores are always crowded, Mike. I felt that it had an impact on speed... I had around five items and every single item that was scanned was 'lugged' over to the other side. It took around 10 minutes for checkout there.
DeleteWhen I was there, it was a day before the Super Bowl (Go Eagles!), and I'm not sure if it was REALLY busy because of that, or if it's always like that. I'm going to go today also to check it out, I'm in the need for some good garlic. It's surprising that the location (Bethlehem) is so busy, because there's one right in Allentown, and Easton, so it's not like others would be going there just for the experience.
Acme Style approaching 500,000 served!
ReplyDeleteThe Acme in Yonkers reopened on the 22nd with a full remodel and facade rebuild. It's a hit in town!
ReplyDelete