ORANGE COUNTY, CA—Diversification of the grocery sector over the last 25 years has changed shopping patterns, fragmenting the business and market share away from traditional “mom-and-pop” grocers, Westwood Financial Corp.'s EVP Randy Banchik tells GlobeSt.com. In the light of all the change happening in this sector of the retail market, we spoke exclusively with Banchik about these changes and whether or not it's possible to achieve dominance in this arena—particularly in Southern California.

GlobeSt.com: With all the shake-ups and heavy competition in the grocery sector, what will it take for a grocery retailer to gain dominance, particularly in the Southern California market?

Banchik: I don't think that dominance is really achievable anymore in Southern California. Over the past 25 years, the diversification of grocery shopping destinations available to Californians and commensurate changes in shopping patterns have fragmented the business and market share away from traditional, “one stop” grocers. With the diversity of operators vying for grocery dollars, purveyors need to be satisfied to create a viable reason to exist in our special part of the world. New grocers entering into Southern California terrain cannot underestimate their clientele. While Southern California boasts an entire landscape of grocery choices, successful operators have matched their location, product mix and service orientation to create their niche among a variety of micro economies and a plethora of economically and socially diverse shoppers with various wants and needs. Customers are looking for different shopping experiences, and differentiating retailers have excellent opportunities to succeed.