Wegmans to Eliminate In Store Pubs

Welcome back to Retail News! Today, we have another news recap - this one is definitely an important story for those concerned of the Wegmans Food Markets brand.

Wegmans, the New York based grocery chain, known for spacious stores stocked with a number of self-serve and service amenities, announced this summer the closure of their Pub dining concept. This comes in a large part due to the coronavirus pandemic, both within its present impacts and future industry adjustment. However, store employees have also suggested that the Pub suffered from a lack of profitability prior to the lockdowns. Such extended closures would have subtracted money for the chain, which braced for another challenge in keeping prices consistently low at that time. 

The discontinuation of the Pub comes after having closed in March, as part of Wegmans' plan to keep their stores open for essential shopping. Locally to this blog, the supermarket operated a Pub restaurant at their Alexandria, VA store as well as all three central Virginia locations (Midlothian, Short Pump, and Charlottesville).

The restaurant initially debuted in 2009 alongside their Collegeville, PA store. The old-time bar concept served numerous alcohol products, as well as a variety of meals in an exquisite environment. Over the years, the concept gradually expanded, mostly alongside new Pennsylvania stores. Wegmans had not opened a new Pub in any of their stores since 2016 (when the three aforementioned Virginia stores opened doors). The chain had pivoted to expanding their Burger Bar fast-casual brand, with most new stores featuring said concept. Expansion of the concept had also been stifled by beverage laws in certain states with Wegmans locations. Maryland forbids the sale of alcohol within grocery stores (barring some exceptions), while Massachussetts and New Jersey Wegmans operate liquor stores running on separate register systems.

Burger Bars have reopened as of late, catering to customers in various ways including dining the Amoré restaurant inside their East Avenue store in Rochester, NY is scheduled to reopen later this year. Before the coronavirus outbreak reached U.S. shores, the Blue Dalia Mexican food restaurant (inside their Natick, MA store) closed in December 2019.

While I never had a chance to experience Wegmans' Pub concept, nor visit any stores which featured this concept, I certainly admired how the chain was creative and with such an idea.

What are your thoughts on the end of Wegmans' Pub concept? Do you believe it is in the best interest of the chain to move on from such restaurants, or would you have wanted these to return following the pandemic? If you ever dined inside the Pub, how did you feel about the food, drinks, and service? Also now that some months have lapsed, what do you see happening with these Pubs - has the transition to the spaces' next tenants begun already, or do they remain in a fallow state?

Personally, I would have at least made an effort to offer meals as takeout during the past few months (given the ubiquity of apps like Instacart and Wegmans 2GO) or run limited operation until it is safe to normally operate once again, after the risks of infection have receded.

That being said, thanks for reading up on this latest Retail News update! More is to come on your favorite retail stores, featuring exclusive insight and projections on the future of retail business. Stay tuned!

Sources

• https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2020/06/30/wegmans-permanently-closes-all-pub-wegmans-locations/3284006001/ 
  https://www.reddit.com/r/wegmans/comments/hpnf5m/there_goes_the_pub/fyglkds/
  

Sale of Shoppers Delayed

Welcome back! Today, I am here to present you with a long-awaited introduction to my regular blog feed. 

This blog post is to be the first installment of my Retail News column here on the Shoppes of Battery Mill. My purpose with these posts is to inform readers of relevant happenings in the retail industry. Articles featured here primarily zone in on the Washington, D.C. area, albeit occasional reports will focus on chains and shopping destinations from outside said area as well. Keep in check for more headline retail stories, as well as insight on each story!

 Our first story will focus on the Mid-Atlantic grocery stalwart, Shoppers Food. It's something I have covered quite a bit since first getting into retail in 2014, in pertinence to its history and current events.

The last major update was in December 2019, when UNFI finalized its plans to sell thirteen Shoppers locations and close another four outright. This news followed almost two years of speculation, stemming from SuperValu's initial plans to exit their own retail brands. The time period in question had already shown dedication to the wholesaler's goal, with a string of other Shoppers closings and the sale of sister chains such as Farm Fresh, Hornbacher's and Shop n' Save. 

Among the supermarket outfits who bought into SFW included Lidl, Compare Foods, and McKay's. Sales began within days; most stores on the list had wrapped by mid-January 2020, with some finishing only two weeks after the announcement. An additional two stores (Kensington, MD and Franconia, VA) were added later on, closing in tandem with the original 17 announced earlier in the month.

In the aftermath of this round, grocery industry analysts wondered what would be UNFI's next move. All that they had indicated was that SuperValu's holding company was still in the process of selecting buyers for the remaining 24 locations. This version of the story held true until the month of March. As COVID-19 cases began to pop up in the region as they were nationally, customers flocked to the stores to take in essential products in advance of lockdowns. Once the dust had settled, the sales numbers for the chain had grown higher than the usual. This would provide not only for better financial stability, but a greater return down the line.

This brings us to the actual story. In May 2020, the first reports of UNFI retaining the Shoppers brand appeared. Speaking in a BMO conference, UNFI CEO Steve Spinner declared his intent to delay the sale of their Shoppers and Cub chains as a result of the aforementioned sales increase. Both chains had previously been marked as having "discontinued operations" - a code which meant the two banners were in autopilot, no longer to expand on their brands as their individual locations were in talks for sale.

During this two-year period, Shoppers will continue to close and sell select branches as they had previously. There, however will remain some stores by the time the period will lapse. It is yet unknown if these final stores will continue (whether under the Shoppers name or not), or close down simply. Regular maintenance, and probable remodels are also to continue for the rest of these stores.

Will Shoppers survive as a brand or not? What locations do you believe will be sold in the meantime, and to whom? Let me know if you wish.

Sources

• https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/maryland-news/shoppers-food-is-leaving-13-locations-heres-what-is-happening-next/2019/12/17/d5ccbd5c-2041-11ea-bed5-880264cc91a9_story.html
• https://www.grocerydive.com/news/unfi-delays-sale-of-shoppers-and-cub-foods-stores/578048/
• https://www.supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/cub-foods-shoppers-stores-be-spun-unfi
• https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2020/06/11/shoppers-stores-will-stay-open-for-up-to-two-years.html
  

Former Shoppers - Manassas (West), VA: Shoppers Squared (Part 3)

Welcome back once again! Today I have a mini update for you, essentially the calm before the Shoppers storm that follows. This is one final look at the store in its generally operational days, even after the aftermath for the pharmacy.

Photos taken on June 25, 2019 by The Battery Mill

We start with the photo's namesake, or rather a very peculiar signage setup. As Shoppers removed their pharmacy signage, they did not go further with another instance of their main wordmark, all in all leaving a puzzling remnant. The sign in question was installed in the 2016 remodel as a slight refresh to the facade.

A look at the exterior during the remodel (photo taken in October 2016)

Also to note, while I did title this post "Shoppers Squared" as in Shoppers^2, it actually turns out to be Shoppers^Shoppers. That I didn't believe would make as great of a drawn out title ("Shoppers to the Power of Shoppers"), especially considering I have enough on my plate above. Layers of irony here, eh? You be the judge. Heh. :P

We take another look at the pharmacy sign, which remains in the state it was before. From memory it might have been removed later in the year, precipitating a given major event in Shoppers history. If you don't know, you'll certainly find out what went down soon here on this blog.

For our lone interior shot, we visit one of the most important portions of our visit, the pharmacy. Yet more oddities are abound as the complementary pharmacy decor has not left the building in addition to the main sign. Thankfully however, some merchandise continues to remain signifying the store soldering on for a little while more.


Prior to the fourth installment of the series, I will provide you with a few more extras, that being the third Retail Mix volume along with another relevant retail news update. Till then, keep posted!
 

Food Lion - Manassas, VA: Hard Hat Area (Part 5)

Welcome back! Today for you, I present to you the next chapter of the Food Lion saga. Two months removed from my last visit, an extra deal of changes has brought this store into a new era of retail. This comes at a time when the 2019 20 coronavirus pandemic has impacted operations, requiring face masks and social distancing guidelines to be maintained. Those do bring up questions, what else is new for the store? Let's see down here.

Photos taken on May 9, 2020 by The Battery Mill

We revisit Food Lion's new facade. Once again, not too many changes made except the shuffling around of things as construction progresses towards the finish line.

Unlike what I've done before, I'll start off with the post's big surprise - a walk-in produce cooler! These are more recent additions to Food Lion stores, having been tested since at least 2013. These however have not been implemented in every store remodeled to the EFA concept, being reserved for higher-volume stores such as this one.

Once completed, the metal sheet securing the walls will be painted green (to match the interior dry walls). Overall I will say, I feel it is a bit too luxurious for Food Lion. Then again, it certainly helps keep their business invigorated and their produce fresh!

We continue the mystique with another side of the produce cooler wall. Still in an unpainted state (that is, if you don't count what's covering up the nails and whatnot), this corner is awaiting new arrangements from the store.

In likelihood, this may also mean the tile floor original to the store's opening has remained sealed by the new system. Whether one prefers this change is their decision, however I admit they could have put the old ones to good use and add a pinch more open space to the salesfloor.

Sliding on over to the back end of the store, we see a few changes as shelving and coolers slowly make the leap into Food Lion's new era. The water fountain has now been restored, with a new display of purified gallon bottles fittingly placed right beside. Also in this pic, remaining Bloom decor elements have been curtailed as the wooden slatted walls are now returning to a drywall state.

Turning left, we head down the meat corridor - a place that shows the ongoing transition between Bloom and modern Food Lion fixtures. The walls have yet to receive any lettering or decor pieces.

Also to note, the meat section is rather sparse - at this time, the meat industry was temporarily closing plants and therefore struggling to supply product to stores under the effects of the pandemic. Despite these measures, some   companies have insisted on staying open - effects that have

While it had been two months removed from the onset of a pandemic and the ensuing stockup frenzy, sanitation care items continues to remain coveted goods. Combined with this and the store's reorganization, looking for paper towels and air fresheners may be even less of an easy task at this Food Lion.

Next, we make a return towards the front end of the store. This area is a vast change compared to before. Previously, an array of fixtures and overhead decor elements were designed to zone in on the deli/bakery (to the left, not yet pictured). In contrast, Food Lion's new setup opens baked goods/to-go deli selections up to the aisles previously fended off by prepared foods coolers.

Now, here is what's left to the previous photo. Interestingly, Food Lion has made the decision to shut down service bakery/deli offerings, installing new appliances and making decor touchups to Bloom designs.

With the pandemic and its implications on store operations, less essential departments of any store can be vulnerable to going on hold. Some may be obvious in order to protect patron and employee safety, such as seating areas and buffet bars. This kind of department, however may be a surprise to those not familiar with the chain.

While the alcove was handily stocked with deli meats and other warm sides, actual service was more relaxed - there would only be a handful of customers (I'll guess <30) each day. That aside, I hope this department will return, better than ever. I wish the best for the employees as they return to work there!

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Thanks for joining me in this store tour. Next time, we will travel back across town to the Bull Run Plaza Shoppers store. I have some significant photos to share over the next two installments. See you guys then!

Sources

• https://www.theshelbyreport.com/2013/12/05/food-lion-debuts-new-format-as-it-reopens-concord-n-c-store/
• https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/26/business/meat-processing-plants-coronavirus/index.html

Former Shoppers - Manassas (West), VA: Post-Pharmacy (Part 2)

Hello readers! Today begins our second tour of the Manassas/Bull Run Plaza Shoppers store. With many changes all about, this one will definitely be an important one at this turning point in the chain's history. Last we saw, Shoppers was continuing to run a steady pharmacy operation - though with this one, we see how they will be working to wind it down.

Photos taken on May 19, 2019 by The Battery Mill

The store tour begins with two different views of the exterior. First comes the main facade, lit up in evening lights, even for the now-closed pharmacy. The second solemnly highlights the Shoppers cart logo within the sidewalk area - a decor tradition dating back to the chain's early years.

This neon sign had not yet been unleashed from the attachment wires, however it had appeared to , despite it having shone a rather dim light recently.

Attention Shoppers!... of Shoppers? This store would like to inform you of its shopping cart locking system.

As our interior opener, we tab over to Shoppers' floral array, spanning from wall to wall. While small floral selections have long been a part of the chain, the introduction of Shoppers Club in the mid-1990s expanded these departments to rival competitors such as Giant and Safeway in helping D.C.-area customers pick out bouquets and balloons.

A selection beyond simple fruits and vegetables was a later introduction for Shoppers, including certain organic selections as well as produce-derived products, like some of the beverages you see here. Though if you'd take a look closer into this image, some of these labels don't seem to be accurate at the moment.

Here we take another look of the . Looking this way, the footprint of the produce section has generally remained intact since the store's 1986 opening - albeit fixtures would have likely been shifted to accomodate for the freed space.

What happens when you put seafood and apples together? One may find out within this view of the store.
This is another perspective from the previous spot (and Part 1), now featuring the back end of the shop as well.

Here we have some views around the meat actionway, a design trait typical of Shoppers stores. Most often, Shoppers has used this design to segue from their produce/prepared foods areas into the rest of the store; though in this case, only produce and seafood make up the front end of this grand aisle.
The "triangle" formed by the Lunchmeat/Kitchen Shop/Floral wall serves as the primary store office area, with an opening provided at the customer service desk (not pictured).

As we mark our journey into the center of the store, we see a quaint collection of dairy coolers. Shoppers has traditionally used open fixtures for this department, however with recent remodels they have referred to door-based models to contain cool air.

We now move closer to the highlight of the event, focusing the inner portions of the store. Starting in the 2008 decor package, Shoppers has designated health & beauty aisles lettered aisle markers. Since being expanded as a category with Shoppers Club, many have featured simply large overhead signage marking said territory.

Alcohol products, such as Wine and Beer are seen occupying the left corner of the store, leading up to the deli/bakery "grand court". Quite large for such a store, shall we say?

And now, here it is - Shoppers' pharmacy department has officially met its demise, (likely unintentionally) returning the chain to its traditional off-price state. While said move had been implemented to more easily assist sales to non-grocery retail, there has been no direct word as to what this will lead to in the end. Curiously, several shelves and signs indicating pharmacy functions/decor remain (two weeks after the shutdown), an anomaly where most would want to deter theft after employees move out of the space.

The left door stood as the pharmacy entrance, while the right door provided for the long-closed M&T Bank. Since the bank's closing, the 2016 remodel has adapted the extents of the decor to provide for a new waiting room.

Zooming in on the other photo, The wavy pharmacy logo has been used by many SuperValu stores. Sister chain Cub in Minnesota continues to operate pharmacies with such a logo.

With the store's front end in the background, we see a plainly-statured sign alerting customers of the pharmacy's closure.

All pharmacies across the chain were incrementally closed over a span of two weeks, accounting for prescription transfer processes. This store would be one of the last to empty their pharmacy shelves, closing on May 7, 2019 alongside that of the Stafford, VA location.

Now to complete today's journey, we take another view of the upper pharmacy area, as seen from the checkouts. A variety of ceiling heights serve as a testament to the store's history and remodels.

From an unidentified 1990s Shoppers store. Credit: NARDI Construction

The round wall elements date back many years for Shoppers, having been used in various locations until an entirely new decor package launched in 2008. Also to note is the lighting difference: While Shoppers recently upgraded their tiled lighting fixtures to LED across the board, classic fluorescent lights have remained in certain places (namely above front ends, vestibules, and alcoves like that of the pharmacy).

Nevertheless, let this be the end of Shoppers' pharmacy legacy - a feature that helped bolster the chain as a traditional grocer, serving customers from Hunt Valley down to Fredericksburg.

We do have one more feature, however. Here we spotlight an empty checklane right at the end of the road. I must say, seldom-used checkouts in the vein of this one can be mysterious. Who knows if these ever opened to customers?

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Next up within our Manassas Shoppers saga will be a brief photo stop to prepare you for the most important event, something marking changing tides in the local grocery industry. As always, keep on keeping on and visit us for the next installment!

Sources

• https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/shoppers-begins-closing-pharmacies/161345/
• http://nardiconstruction.com/
  

Former Shoppers - Manassas (West), VA: Before the Fall (Part 1)

Today I am embarking on a long-awaited store tour series, one that has been in my queue for a while. Sorry for the wait on this one - organizing these photosets was difficult. Nevertheless, it's been solved and I'm here to present it to you at last!

 Store info

• Address: 10684 Sudley Manor Dr, Manassas, VA 20109
• Store number: #25 (original)#23xx (SuperValu)
• Opening date: Circa 1986
• Closing date: January 3, 2020
• Renovations: Circa 1996 (expansion to Shoppers Club), 2009, 2016
• Features: Pharmacy (closed May 7, 2019), Provident/M&T Bank (closed 2012), Deli, Bakery, Seafood, Floral, Walk-In Beer Cooler, Wine, Kitchen Shop, International Foods

The store originally opened around 1986 within the Bull Run Festival, as part of the Bull Run development on the edge of Manassas. For the first several years, it was a typical barebones warehouse Shoppers store. It, however received an upgrade in the mid-1990s to the then-new Shoppers Club concept, adding specialized departments and products comparable to warehouse clubs. Despite SuperValu shifting Shoppers to a more conventional grocery store, its influence in town continued to last.

...That is, until the past year or so. Under the auspices of SuperValu/UNFI combining to leave behind their own retail storefronts, this store has gradually wound down from its status in the following photos. This will be another multi-part series of mine: I have four photosets ready to go, which will be here on this blog in the coming weeks. With that being said, let's delve into the opening chapter.

Photos taken on April 17, 2019 by The Battery Mill

For our first photo of the tour itself, we take a look at a retro sign advertising the in-store pharmacy on the left side of the store. At one time, there were other neon signs attached under these facades, including one for the in-store bank that closed in 2012.

Adding on to Shoppers Pharmacy-related scenery, we see an insurance plan poster as one of the main advertisements seen as one walks into the store.

Following this photoset, Shoppers announced that it would terminate pharmacy operations, selling prescriptions to drug store giants CVS and Walgreens. The move was conducted on the basis of SuperValu trimming their stake in retail, even more so based on UNFI (who had recently acquired SuperValu)'s debt.
How would this work for the eventual sale of Shoppers? Sources state this transaction aided the sale of stores to tenants that generally do not operate in-store pharmacies - uses such as e-commerce fulfillment centers were touted as examples, whereas price impact grocers such as Lidl and Compare Foods became primary tenants for former Shoppers after the December 2019 sale. (This store, in particular, has seen no known successor.)

Prior to the Shoppers Club expansion, the left corner of this photo would likely hold the bakery section. Since the expansion, the area has featured seafood and meat products.

A small seafood counter, featuring fish and an open service kitchen for employees. With the original SuperValu Fresh & Healthy package in the late 2000s, Shoppers introduced service seafood departments to older stores which often lacked such a counter. Hope you get a chance buy the fresh catch of the day here!

Value beef & chicken or quality burgers & steaks? Which one could it be? It's up for you to decide.

Have a look at a nice, quaint bakery stocked with cakes for every occasion. The bakery itself is uniquely located, on behalf of the Shoppers Club expansion in the mid-1990s.

The bakery, along with the deli department, was pulled away from its original location wrapping around the produce department. This created a "grand court" featuring these service counters working in tandem with buffet bars and other grab-and-go selections. The design was minimized within the 2009 remodel, leaving behind a curious backroom area (where the cheese and olive bars would once be located). This is something I have photographed before over on Flickr, and will be revisiting during this series.

Now looking towards the front end, we see the last days of the pharmacy operation in this store. The bulk of large item pallets are an unrelated, yet ominous telltale sign of what's on the horizon.

Both the pharmacy and bank spaces were introduced to this store in 1999, around the time of SuperValu's acquisition of Richfood (who then owned Shoppers). Both additions helped shape Shoppers into a conventional grocer, separating themselves from their traditional discount warehouse mantra. Prior to the introduction of these departments, this space would have likely belonged to bread or wine products (common in this portion of the salesfloor at the time).

M&T Bank quietly "withdrew" their service banking operations from most Shoppers stores in 2012, however remaining stores continue to feature ATMs managed by the firm. Since then, the space became an employee break room, with the pharmacy decor having been extended down the wall.

Completing today's store tour, I present to you with an idyllic look at Shoppers aisles and endcaps, as viewed from the front end. Whether you're looking to grab some milk and go, browse gift cards, or prepare for a banana and Nilla Wafer treat - you've got it all within the bounds of this photo.
On the right side of the image, one may also see the International Foods section and the Kitchen Shop, a new department introduced with the 2016 remodel.

Part 2 continues right where we left off, with more supplemental views of the store as well as the aftermath of the pharmacy closing. Till then, don't touch that dial!

Retailpedia is Now Live!

Welcome back!

Just a quick little announcement - my good friend, PokemonPrime, of My Florida and Cape Kennedy Retail, has launched a new comprehensive wiki dedicated to retailers and shopping centers of all kinds. Check it out and become a contributor to help this wiki grow!

retailpedia.miraheze.org

SuperTarget - Shoreview, MN

Welcome back to the Shoppes. We return to the great northern state of Minnesota, where we pay a visit to their hometown retail hero right in its habitat!

Store info

• Store number: ST-619
  
• Address: 3800 Lexington Ave N, Shoreview, MN 55126
• Opening date: October 9, 1991
• Renovations: 2001-02 (S01/expansion to SuperTarget), 2012 (S09), 2018 (S17)
• Features: Deli, Bakery, Wine & Spirits, CVS Pharmacy, Starbucks Coffee, Optical

The store started as an early Target Greatland, then Target's premier retailing concept tailored to high-volume sites. The concept had been introduced the year prior in nearby Apple Valley and bestowed features then rare within their store base, such as pharmacies, dual entrances, and grocery options.

A SuperTarget expansion was complete by mid-2002, adding a complete assortment of groceries and becoming one of the first stores under said moniker in the Twin Cities. Since then, two further remodels have been conducted; one circa 2012 and the latest in 2018. The latter renovation brought the store into a new era of retailing, complete with ornate displays and fresh design across the board.

Photos taken on July 31, 2019 by The Battery Mill

Our first photo for today is at the entrance leading up to the center. The center the store is co-inhabited with several other outparcels. Isn't that one large sign?

The left-hand grocery entrance is likewise clad in wood and stands out among a newly minted grayscale facade.

While the curved vestibule windows are a trait of the P01 era, the steel girder running out front seems to be something exclusive to this store.

One of the last bastions of P09 decor within the store resides within the grocery vestibule. Odd to see how they hadn't managed to change said decor out, but I'm sure it'll a nice treasure while it lasts.

Now we take a look at the frozen coolers, with accenting located under the upper wall portion. The new grocery decor differs slightly from that of the rest of the store in comparison to previous packages, featuring a wood-clad design, lush lattices and gray flooring.

Here is a typical Target CVS Pharmacy branch, once having been a Target Pharmacy before the 2015 acquisition. The remodel's definitely making it glow nicely.
 
This is especially an image where you may notice the store's high ceiling. This is a feature present in older Greatland/SuperTarget stores like this one, which used the given headroom for decor and exposition in contrast to regular Target stores. Additionally, the bar is even raised higher at the front end - an extra level opens up to the mezzanine area, commonly placed above the front wall in early 90s Targets.

Next we tab to a quaint selection of books and home video located within Target's electronics department. Surpisingly, these two-three aisles mark the extent of such sales. Wonder why? I'll have the answer below.

In response to the decline of physical media, Target has decreased their CD/DVD and book selection to these few aisles. This follows a general decree made chainwide stating the chain would only request CDs to be distributed to their stores based on demand.

Also, if by chance any of you may be fans of X Ambassadors: their latest album, Orion, takes center stage on the ad screen as pictured. I myself don't care for this kind of music, however it's a nice treat to see if you do care.

Where imagination comes to life! This LEGO slide proves itself to be the hallmark of said department at Target.

The new remodels have brought extravagant toy displays to stores, including immersive sculptures like these and dynamic lighting. It's something to see in a post-Toys R Us retail landscape!

Thanks for reading my post; as usual, hope you enjoyed it! More is to come soon. In addition to my regular retail features, I will continue to post extra content from my Minnesota visit.