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We may get a Kroger store in Hilo, albeit via the back door. Kroger, subject to an anti-trust review, has bought Albertson's, the parent company of Safeway:
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/kr...022-10-14/
Will this mean lower prices at our Safeway, a place where Frau Chunkster and I never buy anything that isn't on sale?
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They are going to have to divest a lot of their stores to get this to go thru.
Safeway may end up being owned b Malama Market.
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Safeway may end up being owned b Malama Market.
More likely Shaw's, because they're already a "sister chain" with Safeway.
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I don't understand why people shop at Safeway. Why not keep your money on the island? KTA is locally owned, has more homegrown products and is far less expensive.
Certainty will be the death of us.
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My understanding from reading the Reuters article was that divestiture would only be required in areas where a Kroger/Safeway combo would dominate the market to the point of being a monopoly. That's clearly not the case on the Big Island (or anywhere else in Hawaii) because there are no Kroger stores.
We buy nearly all our produce at KTA, but we've found Target to be less expensive for most staple items. And like I said, only buy deeply discounted items at Safeway. We've also become fans of Walmart's online ordering with parking lot pickup. It's wonderful to get low prices and not have to set foot in their zoo of a store.
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(10-14-2022, 10:48 PM)ChunksterK Wrote: My understanding from reading the Reuters article was that divestiture would only be required in areas where a Kroger/Safeway combo would dominate the market to the point of being a monopoly. That's clearly not the case on the Big Island (or anywhere else in Hawaii) because there are no Kroger stores.
We buy nearly all our produce at KTA, but we've found Target to be less expensive for most staple items. And like I said, only buy deeply discounted items at Safeway. We've also become fans of Walmart's online ordering with parking lot pickup. It's wonderful to get low prices and not have to set foot in their zoo of a store.
Agreed, and if you get the Walmart mastercard or visa you get 5% back for all online purchases, including curbside pickup or delivery.
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(10-14-2022, 09:36 PM)kalianna Wrote: I don't understand why people shop at Safeway. Why not keep your money on the island? KTA is locally owned, has more homegrown products and is far less expensive.
I've tried them all, over the past 34 years, and KTA is the BEST. I love KTA - I just wish they could put in new bathrooms and a bigger deli.
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"I don't understand why people shop at Safeway. Why not keep your money on the island?"
The reason I go there is because they carry more organic products than KTA or Foodland or the others. Stuff that the other supermarkets just don't have the organic option to purchase. I find I save money if I'm buying organic there at Safeway vs going to Island Naturals or other health food stores. But for the Items I buy that aren't organic, Safeway is a ripoff. Sometimes 2 or 3 dollars more for grocery item I can buy much cheaper at a walks distance away at Target.
The second reason is the gas. When you shop there enough you get an extra discount on fuel when you have a member card number. Something like 10 cents off per gallon after enough money spent. They put a cap on that though. I know some families that used to line up all uncles, cousins, braddah, tutu, friends etc. cars to all get a part of that 10c off per gallon when you're awarded it.
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Try CostULess for organic produce, including mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, lettuce, carrots, onions, cauliflower and broccoli. Great prices.
Certainty will be the death of us.
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(10-17-2022, 04:20 AM)Or1on Wrote: "I don't understand why people shop at Safeway. Why not keep your money on the island?"
The second reason is the gas. When you shop there enough you get an extra discount on fuel when you have a member card number. Something like 10 cents off per gallon after enough money spent. They put a cap on that though. I know some families that used to line up all uncles, cousins, braddah, tutu, friends etc. cars to all get a part of that 10c off per gallon when you're awarded it.
Gas is usually cheaper than Safeway at Big Island Energy, even with 10 cents off per gallon.
But more important to me, I've never seen a line at BIE. There has never been a time where I couldn't just drive up to a vacant pump and use it.
Today's prices (gas buddy):
BIE $4.57
Safeway $4.79
