[Vision2020] Winco Vs. Super Walmart

[Mark Solomon]

Donovan,

That assumes that there is enough customer base to support three, 
count them, three discount grocers in the Moscow/Pullman area (I'm 
assuming for the moment, not happily, but assuming anyway that the 
Pullman SuperWalmart will eventually be built). If/when the Pullman 
SW opens, Winco will take a big hit as Pullman shoppers stay closer 
to home. There's no reason to assume someone in Pullman going 
discount grocery shopping after a SuperWalmart opens in Pullman would 
drive to Moscow to shop at Winco or at a Moscow SuperWalmart. I have 
no numbers on how many WA residents shop at Winco but from eyeballing 
the tags in the parking lot I'd hazard a guess that it could be up to 
40% of the total at Winco. Let's say a Moscow SuperWalmart opened 
competing for the 60% of the discount grocery shoppers left and say 
each got half: that's 30% of the current customer base for Winco. 
Seems to me that the final outcome is two SuperWalmarts, one in 
Moscow, one in Pullman and no competition. Or choice.

Mark

At 5:37 PM -0700 4/21/07, Donovan Arnold wrote:
>Chas,
>
>I actually agree with you that Winco can be cheaper than a Super 
>Wal-Mart. The bulk food items at Winco's bins are cheaper than 
>anything Super Walmart has to offer. Also, their bread is fresher, 
>cheaper and in greater variety. The quality of meat is actually 
>better too.
>
>Most of the packaged food goods, Oreo's, M&Ms, and name brands are 
>going to be within pennies of each other at either store.
>
>However, where I find the savings is when I purchase non food items, 
>like paper towels, toilet paper, meds, window cleaner etc. All of 
>that other stuff is much, much cheaper.  Further you can get 
>everything in one trip, clothes shopping, food shopping, pharmacy, 
>haircut, oil change for your car, and get some lunch too. That saves 
>you time and gas, and time and gas saved is money left in your 
>pocket. Wal-Mart also bags your groceries for you.
>
>I think it would be a smart move for Moscow to have two discount 
>grocery stores in the area. Winco can as it is, rise their prices 
>10% to 20% and there is no viable option in the area to go to and 
>still get lower price, people are forced to pay it. If you had 
>another super discount store you have a competition going like they 
>do in Coeur d ' Alene.
>
>
>As to the Bees:
>
>I agree that no cause for the problem has been agreed upon, but I 
>don't think that it is disputed that bees are disappearing from 
>farms, we know this to be true and the cause for concern.
>
>Best,
>
>Donovan
>
>Chasuk <chasuk at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>Winco is cheaper than any other grocery store in town, by a huge
>margin. I've recently shopped at a Super Wal-Mart, and it was not
>cheaper than Winco. I shop at Costco regularly, and it isn't cheaper
>than Winco, either.
>
>Before I get replies saying "but I bought X at Y, and it was cheaper
>than Winco," let me save you the trouble: I already know that some
>items are cheaper elsewhere. However, overall, for a family or
>individual of average shopping patterns, Winco is far cheaper.
>
>And the jury is out on the bee threat; some dispute whether it even
>exists. I've read arguments from both sides, with both parties
>equally qualified to hold an opinion.
>
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