Big-Time Grocery Retailers Plan 2012 Expansions

LAS VEGAS-They say that one way to “sell” rising food prices is to reduce the size of the box. Is that also true of the box that the box is in? Panelists weighed in on the very topic during a session titled “Not Your Grandma’s Grocery Store,” run by moderator Larry Casey, president and COO of Donahue Schriber, based in Costa Mesa, CA. But according to panelists, all are in expansion mode and are generally sticking to their current box structure, which is a huge step up from where they were in years past.

Donald Wright, senior vice president of real estate and engineering at Safeway Inc., who says he is “seeing big efforts into health and wellness going forward,” tells attendees at ICSC RECon2012 that the firm plans to have many projects in the pipeline this year. Wright explained that the new store model includes open space, good neighborhoods, simple layouts, range of items, ample parking, open pharmacy, and an “inviting bakery” among others, all “designed to fit the way you live.”