Text 5074, 62 rader
Skriven 2013-09-25 20:00:44 av Nancy Backus (1:261/1381.0)
   Kommentar till text 4951 av JIM WELLER (1:123/140)
Ärende: Re: IGA 164
===================
-=> Quoting JIM WELLER to NANCY BACKUS on 22 Sep 13  21:20:00 <=-

 JW>> YIG stores / I am quite impressed.
 NB>> Almost sounds like they are using Wegmans' model.

 JW> It's a model common to Canada: large companies will develop a
 JW> slightly upscale line of stores under a different banner. IGA
 JW> developed "Market Place" a few years ago; I first came across it in
 JW> Whistler. This is similar. Yellowknife stores now have the same
 JW> quality level that one would expect to find in southern Canada, in
 JW> the larger centers.

Not quite Wegmans then... as their upscale stores carry the same banner
as their (slightly) more plebian ones.  But I was thinking more the
emphasis on service and quality (admittedly a bit variable across the
chain, as we've discussed here at times)...  But as they've expanded
their market, most if not all the newer stores have the gourmet stuff
and fancier kitchen appurtenances, and the Market Cafe instore, etc...

 NB>> Did the sushi look like it might be good and enjoyably
 NB>> edible...?

 JW> It certainly looked (and smelled) OK.

Promising start.  :) 

 NB>> Hopefully those aren't just "opening day" loss leaders...

 JW> They were a few of the weekly specials. Overall the prices are up a
 JW> bit, as they have to be, given the higher levels of quality and
 JW> staffing, and the $300K per store investment in renovations and
 JW> fixtures. They are now slightly higher than rather than somewhat
 JW> lower than my Co-Op.

Do they plan to continue with the weekly specials?  I agree, the overall
increase makes sense given the upgrade...  :)

 JW> I was back again yesterday and noticed that for the first time the
 JW> various chile peppers were all labeled, and labelled correctly.
 JW> Before the changeover they were all "assorted hot" peppers at a
 JW> single price as no one knew what they were. 

Now that's a definite improvement.  :)  Both from the increase in
knowledge, and the ease in finding things properly.  :)

 JW> The expanded fresh herb section had methi (fenugreek) as well as the
 JW> usual suspects. I bought a nice big bunch for $1.69 and have been
 JW> using it in everything, not just Middle Eastern and Indian dishes:
 JW> hash browns, omelettes and salmon chowder so far.

Nice.  :)

 JW> ... Those who speak most of progress measure it by quantity not by
 JW> quality 

Sigh...  ;0

ttyl        neb

... If at first you don't succeed, deny you even tried.
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.20
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