[Vision2020] Winco Vs. Super Walmart

Sun Apr 22 17:20:08 PDT 2007

I don't think Mark is saying Moscow residents are stupid. I think he is trying to talk politely to 
Donovan about reality. However, Donovan knows what Donovan knows, and any intrusion of 
fact or opinion otherwise is regarded as an attack. Spiney cactus, indeed.

Debi R-S

Date sent:      	Sun, 22 Apr 2007 02:47:43 -0700 (PDT)
From:           	Donovan Arnold <donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com>
To:             	Mark Solomon <msolomon at moscow.com>, Chasuk 
<chasuk at gmail.com>
Copies to:      	vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject:        	Re: [Vision2020] Winco Vs. Super Walmart

Mark,

  Even if it were true, that Latah and Whitman could not stand to hold
  two or three large discount stores, and we really obtained three
  stores, why should it be your decision, or the decision of a few
  influential people in Moscow to decide which stores should stay and
  which ones don't get to open? Shouldn't it be the residents of the
  Palouse that get to make that decision with their own earned
  dollars? 

  I agree, that if you gave me my money, you could decide how I should
  spend it. But since I earned my money shouldn't I get to decide
  where I want to spend it, Mr. Solomon? Who gave you ownership over
  my money and the money of others? 

  What you seem to be saying Mr. Solomon is that Moscow residents are
  stupid, and that they need you to protect them from making stupid
  and unwise decisions with their own earned dollars. 

  Winco cannot handle the traffic it is getting.  I want a grocery
  store that doesn't need stop lights and a crosswalk to get from the
  peas to the lentils without getting flattened by a backwards moving
  forklift trying to restock the Puppy Chow. Excuse me if I don't want
  to look like one of those squished grapes that rolled off the vine
  and under the fruit bin. 

  The economy would grow if we have cheaper groceries for three
  reasons. First, a Supercenter would bring in new customers from
  around Latah, such as Genesee, Troy, Deary, Uniontown, etc. Second,
  the money people would save on groceries would allow residents to
  spend their money on other things, like supporting more restaurants,
  electronic stores, and theater. Third, it would make Moscow more
  affordable, making it a more attractive place for other businesses
  and industry to locate here. 

  Raising the price of food isn't doing the community good Mr.
  Solomon, it hurts especially the poor that have about $150 a month
  in stamps to live on. 

  Best,

  Donovan

Mark Solomon <msolomon at moscow.com> wrote:
        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.      

Mark Solomon <msolomon at moscow.com> wrote:        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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Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos.  

=======================================================
List services made available by First Step Internet, 
serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994. 
http://www.fsr.net 
mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
=======================================================

---------------------------------
Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
 Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.