Local stores not worried
Published 5:35 am Monday, February 5, 2007
By By Lisa Tindell – news writer
With the purchase of groceries taking a large portion of any family's budget, discounts and price reductions can be a blessing.
Known for price rollbacks, Wal-Mart has announced plans to build a new Supercenter in Brewton.
Grocers already in business in the Brewton and East Brewton said Friday they are up for the challenge of the competition but are confident in their survival. Wal-Mart has slated the summer of 2008 as a target opening date with a large portion of the 184,000-plus-square-foot store being devoted to grocery, produce, meat and fresh food items.
Although Hill said his store's business may be affected when the Supercenter opens, the survival of Winn-Dixie is not in question.
Selena Welch, assistant manager at Magnolia Superfoods in East Brewton, agreed.
With Superfoods being the only grocery store in East Brewton, customers who frequent the store do so for convenience and service.
Welch also said the store gives committed service to their customers in ways a Supercenter doesn't.
Dale Shipp, manager of Pic-N-Save of Brewton, said he had been expecting the announcement.
Shipp declined to make any further comments concerning the possible effect of a Wal-Mart Supercenter might have on the store he manages.
Southern Family Market's manager, Jerry Bryan, was unable to make a comment. Attempts to contact officials at Bruno's corporate offices, parent company of Southern Family Markets in Greenville, S.C., were unsuccessful.