The Vancouver-based grocer announced three locations on McPhllips, St. James and Bridgwater Forest. Along the way, the old Zellers at McPhllips was re-purposed and the old Future Shop was done over. Bridgwater Forest was a new building. Around 1000 people have been hired from the nearly 15,000 who applied.
The popular grocer from the west is likely to trigger a price war in Winnipeg when they open. The biggest target will be Sobey’s/Safeway who have struggled since Sobey’s purchased the company. Sobey’s would probably like to close a few more stores close to each other but they risk Co-Op or Save On Foods just grabbing the space up.
The McPhillips location of Save on Food is adding the work International after its name. It will be the largest location and carry the greatest diversity of products including many ethnic brands. There will also be many local brands at all three stores.
There has probably never been a more competitive time in Manitoba for large grocers going toe to toe than there is now.
Save on Foods also appears ready to announce as many as two downtown stores to capture the increasing population there. If I was to hazard a guess, I would say it the Skycity tower where one store will go.
It is possible the St. James store may sneak open on Friday.
All in all it is terrific news for Winnipeg and another great choice which should help keep prices very competitive.
This has been an editorial by John Dobbin.
To read more from John, visit his blog Observations, Reservations, Conversations
