Regina Retail

[Festivus]

Originally Posted by mitchellk12

Regina Guys,

hows that Save on foods? im curious to hear your thoughts. seeing as us in saskatoon are getting 3 in the next 18 months. is it something to get super excited about ? to me its just another grocery store

It has some big pros, but also cons:

Pros:
- Much better fresh food section than most stores (with the exception of fruits/vegetables compared to Superstore). The prepared stuff is really great, especially the pre-marinated meats, sausages, fish, etc. Also really good samosas for like $2.50 each.
- Online delivery/pickup
- Definitely the best service

Cons:
- Regular items (canned, boxes, etc) are more expensive than most stores (maybe non-member Safeway options might rival them, I don't know). You can offset some of these prices with a Save-On card, but not all of them.


If you're looking for some nice pre-made meals or meats/sausages then it's a great place. For general big shopping trips, I'd stick to Superstore or Costco. But it serves a niche and for people who don't care about spending a bit more (there is a market like that) it works. I go for the fresh and pre-made stuff, but I wouldn't buy $300 worth of groceries there on a big trip.

Also their self-serve checkout is much better than other places.

[mitchellk12]

Originally Posted by Festivus

It has some big pros, but also cons:

Pros:
- Much better fresh food section than most stores (with the exception of fruits/vegetables compared to Superstore). The prepared stuff is really great, especially the pre-marinated meats, sausages, fish, etc. Also really good samosas for like $2.50 each.
- Online delivery/pickup
- Definitely the best service

Cons:
- Regular items (canned, boxes, etc) are more expensive than most stores (maybe non-member Safeway options might rival them, I don't know). You can offset some of these prices with a Save-On card, but not all of them.


If you're looking for some nice pre-made meals or meats/sausages then it's a great place. For general big shopping trips, I'd stick to Superstore or Costco. But it serves a niche and for people who don't care about spending a bit more (there is a market like that) it works. I go for the fresh and pre-made stuff, but I wouldn't buy $300 worth of groceries there on a big trip.

Also their self-serve checkout is much better than other places.

Interesting, thanks, i can relay this to my saskatoon troops here. everyones curious, 3 save on popping up in 18 months should be interesting for saskatoon.

[Treesplease]

Originally Posted by Festivus

It has some big pros, but also cons:

Pros:
- Much better fresh food section than most stores (with the exception of fruits/vegetables compared to Superstore). The prepared stuff is really great, especially the pre-marinated meats, sausages, fish, etc. Also really good samosas for like $2.50 each.
- Online delivery/pickup
- Definitely the best service

Cons:
- Regular items (canned, boxes, etc) are more expensive than most stores (maybe non-member Safeway options might rival them, I don't know). You can offset some of these prices with a Save-On card, but not all of them.


If you're looking for some nice pre-made meals or meats/sausages then it's a great place. For general big shopping trips, I'd stick to Superstore or Costco. But it serves a niche and for people who don't care about spending a bit more (there is a market like that) it works. I go for the fresh and pre-made stuff, but I wouldn't buy $300 worth of groceries there on a big trip.

Also their self-serve checkout is much better than other places.

Save on is nice but it still has not become my one-stop shopping place as they do not carry all brands and products that I am used to getting. Some prices are higher but some are lower - like anything you have to know the prices of things at various stores (if you care that udon noodles are .66 at extra foods and .99 at save on). Save on uses group pricing quite a bit - ie. buy 4 for the price of 3 sort of thing and in those cases the prices are typically better than extra foods. There are some meat cuts and products that you can get at Save on (stir fry cuts) that others like sobeys or extra do not have (or they pass stewing chunk cuts off as stir-fry). Save on has some decent steak cuts from the butcher section (ie. thick!!) but for flavour and aging they can not touch cathedral butcher boy. I have not checked out the prepared foods but will be looking the next time I go. At the end of the day, I still find I have to go to at least 3 different places (save on, extra, sobeys, asian grocery store on albert) to get all the food products I need over the course of a month.

[mitchellk12]

i know shoppers drug mart was getting some pilot stores to do a expansion into fresh groceries ( produce,meat,deli etc ) and i know toronto had a few stores trying it out, and i heard regina was one of the cities to have a few pilot stores?

can any of you regina guys confirm on this? if it is true, how has it been ? or is it still up in the air type thing.

[Treesplease]

Originally Posted by mitchellk12

i know shoppers drug mart was getting some pilot stores to do a expansion into fresh groceries ( produce,meat,deli etc ) and i know toronto had a few stores trying it out, and i heard regina was one of the cities to have a few pilot stores?

can any of you regina guys confirm on this? if it is true, how has it been ? or is it still up in the air type thing.

True - most (not sure if all) shoppers now carry a small selection of food products but to be honest I have just assumed the prices were high (haven't actually checked) and haven't bought anything beyond milk. It likely fills a need for locals that don't drive but beyond that.......

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by mitchellk12

i know shoppers drug mart was getting some pilot stores to do a expansion into fresh groceries ( produce,meat,deli etc ) and i know toronto had a few stores trying it out, and i heard regina was one of the cities to have a few pilot stores?

can any of you regina guys confirm on this? if it is true, how has it been ? or is it still up in the air type thing.

Yes TO was the big city test market and Regina was the small City test market. Regina was no doubt selected because we have the massive Loblaw distribution Centre

[mitchellk12]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Yes TO was the big city test market and Regina was the small City test market. Regina was no doubt selected because we have the massive Loblaw distribution Centre

have you visited one of the pilot locations that carry the full service? mine beside my EF just has tiny amount of grocery, but thats it.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by mitchellk12

have you visited one of the pilot locations that carry the full service? mine beside my EF just has tiny amount of grocery, but thats it.

Cornwall is small, but Northgate is bigger, although I do not recall much fresh stuff. Mostly prepared, packaged meat and basic fruits and veggies. Apparently they plan to stock fresh fish.

[BrannyMuffin]

Originally Posted by mitchellk12

i know shoppers drug mart was getting some pilot stores to do a expansion into fresh groceries ( produce,meat,deli etc ) and i know toronto had a few stores trying it out, and i heard regina was one of the cities to have a few pilot stores?

can any of you regina guys confirm on this? if it is true, how has it been ? or is it still up in the air type thing.

Most of the stores have a grocery section. I assume it's been successful. The store near me just renovated and kept the grocery section. I find the selection is hit and miss. I forget what I was looking for the other day but it was something I was surprised they didn't have. They seem to have a bit of prepared foods, a decent (not huge) selection of fruits and vegetables. You likely. Like the do your grocery shopping there unless you had a very limited diet but it works well for stocking up between trips to the grocery store. Having said that, there is an Independent Grocer in the same shopping centre. I have a feeling that there would be more focus on grocery if there weren't a much larger store 100 feet away. I think the 14th and Broad location has been quite popular and I believe their grocery section is a bit bigger. Which makes sense given the neighbourhood and lack of options near by unless you have $$ to spend for organic at Nature's Best.

It would've been nice to see Cornwall expand into the old medical clinic next door and have a large grocery section. Though I can see why that might not have been appealing for a pilot project.

[Draftsman]

From cbc.ca/news (July 31, 2016)

"The fresh additions began as a pilot project in a handful of Shoppers stores in 2014. The company recently remodelled several stores in downtown Toronto and now boasts 29 locations serving perishable goods — 19 in Toronto, eight in Regina and two in Hamilton."

Here is the full article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/shop...mart-1.3700945

Personally, I check all of the grocery store flyers to see who has the best weekly deals for the majority of my needs. Shoppers does have some good weekly deals.

The Broad & 14th store has scaled back their grocery section a bit since the pilot was created, as they initially had no idea what would sell and what wouldn't. Now, after a period of time, it is clear what their customers want. It really is about convenience, especially in neighbourhoods without a major grocery store within reasonable walking distance.

Selection may be limited and can be a bit pricey, but this is the price we pay for convenience. Ever find reasonable grocery items in a 7-11 or Macs?

As a side note, Galen Weston flew to Regina in his private jet late last year to see a few of these stores and to talk with the owners.

[mitchellk12]

Originally Posted by Draftsman

From cbc.ca/news (July 31, 2016)

"The fresh additions began as a pilot project in a handful of Shoppers stores in 2014. The company recently remodelled several stores in downtown Toronto and now boasts 29 locations serving perishable goods — 19 in Toronto, eight in Regina and two in Hamilton."

Here is the full article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/shop...mart-1.3700945

Personally, I check all of the grocery store flyers to see who has the best weekly deals for the majority of my needs. Shoppers does have some good weekly deals.

The Broad & 14th store has scaled back their grocery section a bit since the pilot was created, as they initially had no idea what would sell and what wouldn't. Now, after a period of time, it is clear what their customers want. It really is about convenience, especially in neighbourhoods without a major grocery store within reasonable walking distance.

Selection may be limited and can be a bit pricey, but this is the price we pay for convenience. Ever find reasonable grocery items in a 7-11 or Macs?

As a side note, Galen Weston flew to Regina in his private jet late last year to see a few of these stores and to talk with the owners.

thanks for this. now it gives me a little more info on my EF/shoppers location here in saskatoon. makes sense for me to close and have shoppers converted into the full service grocery.

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by mitchellk12

thanks for this. now it gives me a little more info on my EF/shoppers location here in saskatoon. makes sense for me to close and have shoppers converted into the full service grocery.

South Albert & Vic Square both have decent grocery sections - including fresh produce. Produce typically looks good - not seeing items that look "off."

My dad shops at the Vic Square one quite a bit - he seems finds the prices to be in-line with other Loblaws stores. Good for those mid-week shopping trips most people do (for a handful of smaller items, not a full shopping trip).

[mitchellk12]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

South Albert & Vic Square both have decent grocery sections - including fresh produce. Produce typically looks good - not seeing items that look "off."

My dad shops at the Vic Square one quite a bit - he seems finds the prices to be in-line with other Loblaws stores. Good for those mid-week shopping trips most people do (for a handful of smaller items, not a full shopping trip).

i think itll be a great fit for those shoppers that are tucked into those neighborhoods. just something nice and easy for the folks to come and grab something. i just find theres too many big stores around, especially building out in the burbs. itll be nice if most if not all shoppers will be converted to these full service grocers. itll help the inner city alot.

[Udon'tknow]

Dean Renwick Design Studio will be expanding to include a boutique that will feature Dean Renwick's designs along with select Canadian designers. The boutique will soon open in downtown Regina.

This is going in the main floor of the parking lot structure on Rose street, which has been vacant for a long time, so good news.

[one_brick_at_a_time]

Originally Posted by Udon'tknow

Dean Renwick Design Studio will be expanding to include a boutique that will feature Dean Renwick's designs along with select Canadian designers. The boutique will soon open in downtown Regina.

This is going in the main floor of the parking lot structure on Rose street, which has been vacant for a long time, so good news.

So awesome! Great for him and great for the downtown (not to mention much needed for that parkade!) Whoop!

[Stormer]

That is great for Renwick. That parkade now has VIP, Deluxe Tailors and Renwick. This is what we want on the street level of our downtown parkades!

Let's hope the Shoppes on Hamilton around the corner start filling up.

[Kegger]

I saw that H&M was hiring in Regina a little while back, now I don't seem to see it on their site anymore. Did anyone else notice this?

[CoryB]

Could be they were looking for management staff for H&M. The other thing I have seen happen in Winnipeg is you get advance job postings like that and then the planning for a location falls through and the jobs never actually get staffed.

[Kegger]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Could be they were looking for management staff for H&M. The other thing I have seen happen in Winnipeg is you get advance job postings like that and then the planning for a location falls through and the jobs never actually get staffed.

I am thinking one of those is likely the case.

[yveseluj]

Chatters is moving to the main floor of the Cornwall across from American Eagle. This will leave Tim Hortons as the only remanining tenant occupying space in that entire South-East corner of the mall which previously had Smitty's and Havik. Anyone heard anything concrete yet?