SupermarketGladiators
At 8:05am this morning, literally minutes after the new Social Safeway opened its doors to public, and the competition between the super giant and the Whole Foods up the street had already begun.
As I walked down Wisconsin Avenue, the former Pizza Hut, located directly across the street from Whole Foods entrance and parking garage was being decorated with a big bright banner/decal that read “Hungry Georgetown? Safeway: We are just down the block.” How neighborly and friendly of the Safeway to let Whole Foods know they’re there for them. I mean WF might indeed be hungry and in need of a good sandwich.
In all seriousness, I’m all about some good competition. WF has had it made since the Social Safeway closed last year for renovations leaving Glover Park, Burleith and Georgetown residents sans a non-organic, “non-gourmet,” whole paycheck devouring grocery store. Advertising the new Safeway directly across the street from WF is a genius marketing maneuver by Safeway. Well done sirs. Well done.
Shop Around The Corner
A born and bred New Yorker, Rebecca made the big trip “down south” to DC in 2006 and hasn’t looked back. She spends her days strategizing/planning/ideating how interactive products can help her clients and change the world. In her free time, she explores DC’s ever expanding bar, restaurant and small business scene, plays a crap ton of soccer, attends concerts that contribute to her sleep deprivation and embarks on local adventures. Read why Rebecca loves DC or follow her on twitter.
FYI – this is tit for tat. When the Safeway closed last year, Whole Foods bought up all of the advertising for the bus shelters in front of the Safeway site under construction directing the customers to visit the Whole Foods…..
@Beo Yes, my hunch is that this is, in part, a response.
However, WF’s move wasn’t so much about taking Safeway customers away as it was about suggesting the closest alternative for the time Safeway was closed. Yes, WF was theoretically poaching Safeway customers, but only in the short term.
Safeway’s move is totally about offering WF headed customers a nearby, and let’s face it, cheaper alternative.