Archive for the 'Smart & Final' Tag
August 6th, 2008, 2:32 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
Smart and Final opens the first of several new expanded grocery stores today in Fullerton.
The Orange County Register got a sneak peek of the new Smart & Final Extra store, which adds 4,500 basic grocery items to cater to cash-strapped and fuel-frustrated consumers. When I first walked in, I was immediately struck at how similar it looked to a normal supermarket.
It’s an amazing transformation considering the chain conceived the makeover six months ago as the economy was tanking. (View Slideshow of store)
In a nutshell: The bulky warehouse offerings have taken a backseat to basic every day groceries. Everything seemed geared for consumers looking for one-stop shopping. I could easily buy groceries for any occasion here — a dinner for three or a party of 100.
Here are the highlights:
Produce: Big changes in this area. It’s now nearly triple the size of a normal Smart & Final, growing to 4,500-square feet. Before, the store only offered bagged produce. Customers can now pick any amount of fruits and veggies they want — from a single plum to four heads of lettuce. The store has also added a “wet rack” (above photo) filled with fresh celery, lettuce, peppers, carrots and cilantro.
Baby and health products: Tons of baby merchandise here from diapers to formula to jar food. Also, beauty products such as toothpaste and shampoo have been added. Many shoppers, especially moms, demanded these products to save them trips, said Tim Snee, senior vice president of operations. “People always asked for toothpaste and diapers. Now, they have what they are looking for in one spot,” said Snee.
 Smaller items: A key change in the “Extra” format is the addition of individual or smaller portion sizes. Smart & Final is known for selling large tubs of ice cream or a bulk pack of hot dogs. While bulk party-size items will remain, the chain is now offering smaller versions of basic groceries such as single-serve yogurt, 16-ounce containers of cottage cheese and small cans of diced tomatoes. (Canned tomatoes, right, are stacked near bulk cans. Click photo to enlarge.)
These smaller sizes are common throughout the store from the frozen foods aisle to the deli department. New items, by the way, are tagged with a red “Extra” label, so customers can easily spot them.
Prices: Many items were not priced during my tour. However, the produce area sported some competitive prices.
- 99 cents a pound for red apples, Fuji apples and Bartlett pears
- Cilantro — 5 bundles for $1
- Green onions — 5 for $1
- White Corn — 4 for $1
- Brown onions — 5 pounds for $1
Fullerton store opens at 7 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 6) at 2475 E. Chapman Ave.
A list of “Smart & Final Extra” locations planned in Orange County and California.
(Photos by Anthony Castellano / The Orange County Register)
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Posted in: Fast food news • Food Prices • Smart & Final | 2 Comments »
July 31st, 2008, 3:00 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
On Wednesday, Smart & Final plans to launch in Orange County the first of several new format stores that will offer expanded groceries at warehouse prices.
The new concept store, opening next week in Fullerton, is dubbed Smart & Final Extra.
Smart & Final, which has built its reputation as a go-to warehouse for bulk party foods and merchandise, said the remodeled stores will carry a broader assortment of “every day” groceries such as shampoos, to-go meals and baby products.
The stores are expected to be one-stop shopping markets for time-starved consumers. Stores will be about 10,000-square-feet larger than most Smart & Finals and will add roughly 4,500 more basic grocery items.
The stores “have a greatly expanded assortment compared to a typical Smart & Final, but pricing will be very attractive as well,” company spokesman Randall Oliver said. “We are known for offering great value, and these stores will be no exception.”
Besides Fullerton, Smart & Finals in Orange, Huntington Beach, La Habra and a soon-to-be open store in Stanton will also expand groceries. (see addresses below)
Here’s a list of the Smart & Final locations that plan to offer expanded groceries in August:
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Posted in: Fast food news • Food Prices • Smart & Final • takeout | 1 Comment »
June 24th, 2008, 3:00 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
Attention shoppers. It looks as if Ralphs is doing what consumers have been begging them to do for years: lower prices. (Updated story here.)
In a large print ad published Sunday, the Southern California grocery chain teased to a big event happening Wednesday in stores. “Coming soon to a Ralphs near you! Wednesday, June 25. New Lower Prices every day.”
The full-page ad, in both the Orange County Register and Los Angeles Times, also talked about introducing a new “rewards” program.
Does this mean the end of club cards? What about double coupons? Will Ralphs continue this tradition, under the new pricing system?
On Monday, Ralphs spokesman Terry O’Neil said: “I will get back to you tomorrow.”
Stay tuned.
I have to say: I first heard rumors of a pricing strategy change at Ralphs a few weeks ago. At the time, I ran the rumors by O’Neil. Like Monday — instead of denying anything, he said this: “We have no comment.”
Some shoppers say local store managers have already spilled the beans about certain changes. In addition to the lower prices, South Orange County Ralphs employees are telling customers that starting Wednesday coupons will only be doubled up to $1. So, a 75-cent coupon, will get you an additional 25 cents off . That’s it. (Note: if true, grab your coupons and run to your nearest store today.)** see update below
With consumers seeking more value these days, I can see why Ralphs might be changing its tune. Nowadays, Southern California have been bombarded with a range of grocery store choices — from Fresh & Easy to Sprouts to convenience stores. Many appeal to consumers because they offer low, everyday prices.
By no coincidence, Kroger — Ralphs’ parent company — is releasing its quarterly earnings today. So, I’m sure we’ll know more soon. Ralphs operates roughly 266 stores in Southern California, including 38 in Orange County.
Tell us: What have you heard from your local Ralphs grocery clerks? Write in and let us know.
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**7:30 a.m. update: Just woke up and noticed today’s flier insert in my paper reads: “New Lower Prices Every day. Look for the yellow tags throughout the store.” It also talks about a “New limited Double Coupons.” In fine print it says “if coupon exceeds 50 cents and is less than a $1, its value will be increased to $1.”
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Posted in: Food Prices • Financial • Smart & Final | 39 Comments »
June 19th, 2008, 3:30 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
 Smart & Final, which has built its reputation as a go-to warehouse for party merchandise and restaurant-quality food supplies, is planning to overhaul its concept to carry a broader assortment of groceries.
And — Orange County will be ground zero for several prototype stores, the Los Angeles chain said this week.
New Smart & Final store will increase in size by 10,000-square-feet to make room for expanded offerings in the frozen foods, snacks, cereals, deli and produce sections, said company chief executive George Golleher. The first one will open later this summer in Stanton.
New stores will also carry a large variety of grab-and-go meals and will add departments dedicated to baby and beauty care. Currently, Smart & Final stores do not carry diapers, formula, shampoos and other drugstore type items.
The changes are part of a strategy to give shoppers a one-stop shopping experience by stocking items found at a grocery warehouses, traditional supermarkets and drugstores, said Golleher.
By the end of 2009, the 180-unit Smart & Final plans to add about 20 more domestic locations. Besides, the 30,000-square-foot Stanton store, Smart & Final will build new locations in Huntington Beach, Fullerton and La Habra. (All three are former Drug Emporiums.) Some new stores are also planned in Los Angeles County.
“We wanted to go to Orange County first because we think (the new concept) will have great appeal there,” Golleher said.
He declined to provide sales figures for Smart & Final, which up until a year ago was a publicly-traded Los Angeles-based company. Smart & Final, founded in 1871, merged with private equity firm, Apollo Management, last year in a deal valued at $812 million. Smart & Final also owns Henry’s Farmers Market stores.
Stanton Smart & Final: 7050 Katella Avenue in Stanton. The property, a former Albertsons, is owned by Seal Beach based-Heslin Becker, which leased the building to Smart & Final earlier this week. The store could open by late August.
(Photos courtesy of Smart & Final website.)
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