364 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

As Gman says, the Save-Ons at Saanich Plaza will only get busier as the area densifies. Prior to the redevelopment of Uptown recall that there was also the Fairways at T&C.

[sdwright.vic]

I am just thinking cannibalization of you own market share. Safeway shopper will stay at Tillicum Save On. Saanich Plaza Save On shoppers in yhe Tillicum or beyond area will start to shop at Tillicum. An already quite store becomes quiter.

[cfbnp200e]

And the signs are getting installed at Tillicum. Fast.

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[Holden West]

Wow, that was fast. Are they going to unstock/liquidate and restock from scratch?

[thundergun]

We'll find out in due time but I would expect that the deal included aspects where Save On could purchase some/most of the inventory at cost to avoid unnecessary movement of goods back to the mainland. An inventory count would have been done after the store closed I presume. Obviously Safeway specific items/brands would be excluded.

 

I think all the stores will remain. Convenience is more important than particular stores for many people. Although I wish I passed a different grocery store on my walk home, not having to go out of my way or drive to a mall makes my local shop that much more appealing.

 

With the increasing population over in Vic West when, where and which store would you expect next?

[Coreyburger]

A friend of mine who works for Safeway (and now Save On) said that they bought the non-Lucerne stock and will just sell it off if they don't stock it.

[sebberry]

And the signs are getting installed at Tillicum. Fast.

That's not going to fit above the door... did they measure first?

[sebberry]

I noticed at the Fort/Foul Bay Safeway a lot of the stock, primarily Safeway branded items, had been left to sell out with quite a bit of empty shelf space left. 

 

I won't miss the Lucerne chocolate milk.  Damn stuff tasted like chalk. 

[cfbnp200e]

Tillicum & Fort/Foul Bay were liquidating non-perishable Safeway branded items (Edwards coffee, etc) 50% off. Univ Heights doesn't change until next week - maybe they still have some sale stock at a good deal.

And yeah - Dairyland choco milk all the way (although "new-comer" Natrel is pretty good :-)

[sebberry]

Does Save On carry Island Farms products?  I remember when Safeway finally started stocking a limited selection of Island Farms. 

[D.L.]

A Safeway in New Westminster has recently been converted to a Save-on-Foods. It was closed for only two days.

[bluefox]

A Safeway in New Westminster has recently been converted to a Save-on-Foods. It was closed for only two days.

 

Ditto the one in Tsawwassen. I was just in there yesterday. It's actually hilarious, because nothing really changed, so it just looks like the hastily born love-child of Safeway and Jim Pattison.

 

Aisle signage, department signage, colour schemes, equipment, checkout lanes, everything is still there from Safeway. The only difference is the price tags, the uniforms, the Save-On logo outside the store and the green checkout lane numbers.

 

It's actually kinda eerie.

[sdwright.vic]

Have they kept the meat counters?

[bluefox]

Have they kept the meat counters?

 

Fixtures all remained the same.

[Holden West]

April 2 is the last day for the University Heights Safeway. Gift cards technically can be used at Thrifty indefinitely but it will be a hassle as they'll have to phone to determine the balance. I don't know the fate of the in-store Starbucks.

[Bingo]

End of an Era

 

...and a new beginning

[Mike K.]

"Talk about savings?" Save-Ons has about as much to do with "savings" as Thrifty's has to do with being "thrifty."

The one store I am eagerly anticipating is the planned Superstore on Douglas.

[sebberry]

I just returned from the Fort and Foul Bay Safeway Save On.  Bit of a fustercluck in there today but they're all still learning the new systems so I didn't mind. The young trainer was rushing the poor old former Safeway cashier through the new system at warp speed.  And nothing says "welcome to the team" like black and neon green uniforms

 

Bluefox is right - it's kinda weird seeing all the existing Safeway fixtures and signage up while knowing it's no longer a Safeway. 

 

 

Does anyone know if you need their "More Rewards" card for their sale price goods?  I know I needed a Safeway card for that. 

[Nparker]

So Tillicum, Fort/Foul Bay & Sidney are now Save-on-Foods stores. Has University Heights been switched over yet?

[sebberry]

No, that's next week I think.