SocraticGadfly: Grocery wars, part 2

August 18, 2017

Grocery wars, part 2


A week and a half ago, per the graphic above, I blogged about what appears to be a new showdown in grocery wars, starting with Kroger's end to a 13-year sales growth, along with the announced expansion of Aldi and cousin Lidl mean for the grocery industry.

Well, we've got a couple of updates.

First, at the nearest Kroger, in a town that also has an Aldi's, Kroger's done a bunch of price-whacking on house brand products from deli "pan" style premium bread to crackers, potato chips and more. And Aldi has responded.

Bigger yet?

Aldi's is rolling out a trial run of grocery delivery. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metromess, the nearest big city to me, is one of the trial areas.

Now, everybody from wags to serious economic analysts wonder how many Aldi's shoppers will pony up for this.

I'd say: You're stereotyping Aldi's shoppers and possibly more than you realize, at least in some places. I'd also say: You're making assumptions about how much Aldi will charge.

Perhaps of better note? Aldi's CEO said it would be adding more house brands.

That means, in Dallas, more of a possible war not just with Kroger, but with the recently invading Winco Discount Foods, which in terms of overall selection combined with a value range of products near Aldi on price and wider in products, is the best of all three stores.

No comments: