364 replies to this topic

[sdwright.vic]

^This question is meant to be funny... Right?!?

[Mike K.]

Hmm, I guess I've never seen a rumour article in the TC before and it struck me as really odd for a daily to run with a storey despite Whole Foods telling them there was no legitimacy to the rumours. An ex-editor of the TC once told me that validating facts and avoiding articles based on rumours is what sets them apart from "blogs." Go figure.

[Holden West]

Hmm, I guess I've never seen a rumour article in the TC before and it struck me as really odd for a daily to run with a storey despite Whole Foods telling them there was no legitimacy to the rumours. An ex-editor of the TC once told me that validating facts and avoiding articles based on rumours is what sets them apart from "blogs." Go figure.

 

Once Shellie Gudgeon tweeted the rumour it became news. 

 

Could be an Urban Fare.

 

 

Although I thought it would be a Whole Foods I feel Overwaitea won't make them Urban Fares. I thought they'd be better in the Hudson. I'll bet they'll be regular Save-Ons but they'll be really nice looking ones.

[Mike K.]

Once Shellie Gudgeon tweeted the rumour it became news. 

 

Ha!

[concorde]

From the TC dated October 23: http://www.timescolo...ncerns-1.668538

 

Safeway locations at 1950 Foul Bay Rd., 3958 Shelbourne St. at University Heights and 2345 Beacon Ave. in Sidney.

The Safeway at Tillicum Centre is not on the sale list.

From the CFax article

 

Overwaitea has announced the purchase of fifteen Sobeys' stores in the country. They include the Victoria Safeway locations at Tillicum, Foul Bay, and University Heights; and the Safeway in Sidney.

 

Looks like Safeway is gone from Victoria

[Nparker]

...Looks like Safeway is gone from Victoria

And no one wept...except for Airmiles collectors possibly.

[concorde]

And no one wept...except for Airmiles collectors possibly.

I would love it if Thrifty Foods disappeared, its not the same store since Sobeys bought it out and I don't shop there

[bluefox]

And no one wept...except for Airmiles collectors possibly.

 

They'll just have to buy more gas at Shell to make up the deficit.

[sdwright.vic]

Some believe buying Safeway was a quicker way to expand the Thrifty's banner. Remember Safeway is a borrowed name... like Sears Canada.

Edited by sdwright.vic, 14 February 2014 - 12:39 PM.

[jonny]

Some believe buying Safeway was a quicker way to expand the Thrifty's banner. Remember Safeway is a borrowed name... like Sears Canada.

 

What do you mean? 200+ Safeway stores were purchased by Sobey's throughout Canada, nearly all of which are to become Sobey's stores, not Thrifty's.

[sdwright.vic]

For that reasoning Thrifty's should of been renamed Sobey's. I didn't say ALL stores either. Also if not mistaken, Safeway was only in Western Canada.

Edited by sdwright.vic, 14 February 2014 - 01:05 PM.

[jonny]

For that reasoning Thrifty's should of been renamed Sobey's. I didn't say ALL stores either. Also if not mistaken, Safeway was only in Western Canada.

 

I don't think this deal had anything to do with Thrifty's. In fact, I think Sobeys has actually lost a couple of Thrifty's stores as a result (one in Nanaimo, another in Abbotsford and one in New West if I recall correctly).

 

Everything I've read indicates that this move by Sobeys was to increase Sobeys presence in western Canada through the conversion of Safeway stores to Sobeys stores. Safeway Canada operated primarily in western Canada (I believe they had stores in Ontario though).

 

Clearly Sobeys sees significant brand equity in the Thrifty Foods brand otherwise you're right, they would have been converted to Sobeys.

Edited by jonny, 14 February 2014 - 01:41 PM.

[sdwright.vic]

Thats because they kept the better located Safeway stores. The sale of stores was to prevent the Sobey EMPIRE monopoly... Increasing Sobeys presence can also just mean increasing the stores they own... all brands not just one. It will be interesting sincevI dont think they will be able to keep the Safeway "brand" license.

The New West store (Thrifty) was a eady choice to unload... its lost money since opening.

[sdwright.vic]

Thats because they kept the better located Safeway stores. The sale of stores was to prevent the Sobey EMPIRE monopoly... Increasing Sobeys presence can also just mean increasing the stores they own... all brands not just one. It will be interesting sincevI dont think they will be able to keep the Safeway "brand" license.

The New West store (Thrifty) was a eady choice to unload... its lost money since opening.

The sale of some stores was about real estate... as the stores Safeway owned will be sold to the parent (Empire) for management. Thriftys has never owned the land their stores where at.

[sdwright.vic]

Meant to edit... not qoute myself.

[concorde]

Maybe the mods should change the title of this thread since the rumor isn't true and we know the truth

[MarkoJ]

And no one wept...except for Airmiles collectors possibly.

 

I love the Safeway deli sandwiches.  I frequent the Oak Bay location twice a week.  Great grilled chicken sandwich, chips, and a premium juice drink for like $7 bucks and change.  Can't beat that. 

[Nparker]

To be fair, if one could afford it, the Safeway shopping experience was pretty nice. Large, clean stores; lots of selection, good meat and produce sections. Also, as Marko states, a really nice deli with good onsite soups and sandwiches. I haven't been into a Save-on-Foods in quite some time so I will be interested to see how their expanded presence in the region goes.

[Mike K.]

The Safeway on Tillicum is open until 12. I drop in there all the time as the Save-Ons at West Side closes nightly at 10. That seems so early IMO and I'll often find myself driving up not realizing the store has already closed.

[bluefox]

The Safeway on Tillicum is open until 12. I drop in there all the time as the Save-Ons at West Side closes nightly at 10. That seems so early IMO and I'll often find myself driving up not realizing the store has already closed.

 

They might maintain the same hours, you never know.

 

Over here in Vancouver, for example, the SOF in Cambie Village is the last store to turn off the lights each night -- they're open til midnight. Everything else in the neighbourhood is closed at 9 or 10.