OT: Kroger & Giant Eagle

PSU4U

All-American
Aug 6, 2019
7,214
7,600
113
Giant Eagle has some of the worst prices ever. Will Kroger improve this, or just add to the misery?

Will we see a return of "The Mean Meat Man"? LMAO!
The same thing that happened in Mifflin Co when WA WA came to town. All we heard about was how good their gas prices were going to be, and they are the same as every other station in the county.

The problem most of the time isn't the chain but the distributers. PA is a Commonwealth aka Commie State all they do is pump sunshine up your azz and walk away smiling. The Fuel Distributers for Mifflin Co have been screwing the people for time immemorial. Some things never change.
 

yeahtoasty

Junior
Oct 12, 2021
108
224
43
The switch to Kroger ownership for the Giant Eagle stores (and by all accounts, they're going to continue to be branded as "Giant Eagle" even with Kroger running the show) by itself isn't likely to have much of an effect on prices.

What WILL, though, is increased competition.

For years, Giant Eagle and Wegman's have had a tenuous handshake agreement not to encroach on each other's territory. There are a few markets where they go head to head, Erie specifically and I think maybe a couple places in northeast Ohio. But in the last few years Wegmans took a step further into GE territory with their store in Cranberry (southern Butler County, just over the border from Allegheny County) which opens in 2027.

Meijer Superstore has also purchased land in Cranberry for a new store, their first in Pa. I don't know much about them but they appear to be kind of Walmart-y.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bison13

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
2,838
3,329
113
The switch to Kroger ownership for the Giant Eagle stores (and by all accounts, they're going to continue to be branded as "Giant Eagle" even with Kroger running the show) by itself isn't likely to have much of an effect on prices.

What WILL, though, is increased competition.

For years, Giant Eagle and Wegman's have had a tenuous handshake agreement not to encroach on each other's territory. There are a few markets where they go head to head, Erie specifically and I think maybe a couple places in northeast Ohio. But in the last few years Wegmans took a step further into GE territory with their store in Cranberry (southern Butler County, just over the border from Allegheny County) which opens in 2027.

Meijer Superstore has also purchased land in Cranberry for a new store, their first in Pa. I don't know much about them but they appear to be kind of Walmart-y.
Meijer are good stores. A bit above Walmart. Very competitive prices here in SW Ohio.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RockyMtnLion

HarrisburgDave

All-Conference
Dec 29, 2016
1,240
1,889
113
Lidl and Aldi seem to be about ten percent cheaper than most places. Their selection is mostly their named brands, but the quality seems OK to me. Giant is OK, they are more competitive the past month or so. They seem to be trying to compete. Weis is always higher, when I stop there I always regret it. Wegmans lives off their prepared food and produce section. I can do without them.
 

bbrown

Heisman
Jul 26, 2001
14,370
29,240
113
The switch to Kroger ownership for the Giant Eagle stores (and by all accounts, they're going to continue to be branded as "Giant Eagle" even with Kroger running the show) by itself isn't likely to have much of an effect on prices.

What WILL, though, is increased competition.

For years, Giant Eagle and Wegman's have had a tenuous handshake agreement not to encroach on each other's territory. There are a few markets where they go head to head, Erie specifically and I think maybe a couple places in northeast Ohio. But in the last few years Wegmans took a step further into GE territory with their store in Cranberry (southern Butler County, just over the border from Allegheny County) which opens in 2027.

Meijer Superstore has also purchased land in Cranberry for a new store, their first in Pa. I don't know much about them but they appear to be kind of Walmart-y.
Having been to and shopped at both Giant Eagle and Wegman's MO is that Giant Eagle can't hold a candle to Wegmans.
 

bbrown

Heisman
Jul 26, 2001
14,370
29,240
113
Lidl and Aldi seem to be about ten percent cheaper than most places. Their selection is mostly their named brands, but the quality seems OK to me. Giant is OK, they are more competitive the past month or so. They seem to be trying to compete. Weis is always higher, when I stop there I always regret it. Wegmans lives off their prepared food and produce section. I can do without them.
I like both Lidl and Aldi. Though sometimes Aldi gets things in I like never to be seen again. Aldi also offers some really good cheese at affordable prices. I also like a lot of their spaghetti sauce but not a fan of their sweet sauerkraut.
 

LilWashLion

Freshman
Nov 17, 2008
67
96
17
Lidl and Aldi seem to be about ten percent cheaper than most places. Their selection is mostly their named brands, but the quality seems OK to me. Giant is OK, they are more competitive the past month or so. They seem to be trying to compete. Weis is always higher, when I stop there I always regret it. Wegmans lives off their prepared food and produce section. I can do without them.
I can’t stand Aldi. Their private brands SUCK!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MtNittany

MtNittany

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
3,368
4,698
113
In another 15 years or so, I would expect Publix to be if not in PA, very close to it.

 
Last edited:

fairgambit

All-American
Aug 20, 2010
2,414
7,251
113
Giant Eagle has some of the worst prices ever. Will Kroger improve this, or just add to the misery?

Will we see a return of "The Mean Meat Man"? LMAO!
I agree on Giant Eagle prices. Once a loyal customer, I now spend most of my grocery money at Walmart or, occasionally, at Shop 'N Save.
I admit I am a hypocrite as no one has higher prices, and poorer quality, than Fairgambit Worldwide Enterprises.😉
 
Last edited:

Big_O

All-Conference
Jun 28, 2001
1,562
2,551
113
Publix is very expensive.
Exactly, and with poor selection to boot. They are basically a monopoly in FL. We do most of our shopping at Walmart because of much better prices and for the most part better selection. We are lucky because both Walmart and Publix are 10 minutes or less away.

I used to live within 10 minutes of Meijer, Giant Eagle, Walmart and Kroger in Ohio.
 

MtNittany

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
3,368
4,698
113
Publix is very expensive.
I'd say that's a bit off. Publix surprises you with the BOGO's. I buy paper towels, olive oil, cooking oil, ketchup, mayo, mustard, tomato sauce, etc. - ALL cheaper than on amazon or at Walmart when BOGO at my Publix, and it's 3 minutes away.

You just have to pay attention to the website and the circulars.
 

MtNittany

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
3,368
4,698
113
What separates Publix from the rest imo is the customer service and cleanliness - and this can be attributed to the fact that it is mostly employee-owned, and the stock is not public.

This means that you can work 22 years as a cashier and retire w/ $1M in savings - provided you took every possible employee stock option.

In other words, the employees care. They have to. It's their business.
 

JAS

Sophomore
Jun 29, 2001
175
173
43
I'd say that's a bit off. Publix surprises you with the BOGO's. I buy paper towels, olive oil, cooking oil, ketchup, mayo, mustard, tomato sauce, etc. - ALL cheaper than on amazon or at Walmart when BOGO at my Publix, and it's 3 minutes away.

You just have to pay attention to the website and the circulars.
I agreed 100% about BOGO’s at Publix, as better than FoodLion. When we vacation at Sea Pines loved Harris Teeter.
For the two of us protein options from Sam’s, divide portions and freeze are my go to.