Wegmans & Price Chopper: the real deal
The object of so much desire.
You hear something once, you dismiss it. You hear it twice, you think, eh. But when you hear it five or six different places from people who are in no way connected to each other, you start to wonder. So, when we heard lots of folks repeating the rumor that Wegmans and Price Chopper had a sort of "gentlemen's agreement" to stay out of each others backyards, it definitely caught our interest.
And then we heard rumors that Wegmans might be making it's move on the Capital Region.
So, is there any truth to either of these rumors?
The short answer for both is: no.
According to Wegmans spokesperson Jo Natale, the Rochester-based chain has no plans to build a store anywhere near A-Town.
And it's not for the reasons you think. AOA called the corporate offices of both Wegmans and Price Chopper. Both said they, too, have heard rumors about a secret agreement for years. Both also flatly denied it, pointing out that they do compete in markets like Western New York and Pennsylvania. Natale, the Wegmans spokesperson, says the company gets thousands of requests a year to build stores in areas that don't have them. "Don't take it personally" she says, the company is just moving in a different direction. And right now that direction is Pennsylvania, Virginia and DC.
photo: Flickr user chrstine592, used under a CC license
The Bottom Line
According to spokespeople from both companies, there is no agreement to keep Wegmans out of Albany.
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Comments
Dear AOA,
Thank you for looking into this. I respectfully suggest, however, that this matter needs to be investigated more thoroughly than merely calling each store's corporate office. Naturally they are going to deny it. Until a far-reaching and thorough investigation is done, I remain skeptical with regard to the conclusions you draw.
Bruce Roter, President
We Want Trader Joe's in the Capital District
www.wwtj.org
broter2@verizon.net
... said Bruce Roter on Apr 2, 2008 at 5:04 PM | link
Bruce,
Do you have any suggestions about how to get this information out of either company? Without waterboarding Danny Wegman, that is.
In the town of Clay, there are a Wegmans and a Price Chopper in the same general strip mall wasteland. They aren't afraid of competition; both parking lots are always full.
The strange effect that grocery competition has in Syracuse is that milk is about a dollar cheaper per gallon than it is here in Albany. Or it was the last time I checked, at least. There are a lot of similar loss leader deals to be found. It's nice.
... said Laurie on Apr 2, 2008 at 6:34 PM | link
I agree with Bruce, they are NEVER going to admit anything about this to people. My source for the so called rumor is a relative that worked for Wegmans and was told that this agreement existed between the original owner of Wegmans (who recently passed away) and the owner of Price Chopper. They told him they would also flat out deny this. Of course everyone wondered what would happen to said deal once the father passed away. Speculation was that the son would invade PC territory, but truth be told we are not a hot market like there is down south.
... said BL on Apr 2, 2008 at 6:56 PM | link
I like Price Chopper, but I wouldn't spend the morning there with my laptop. Wegman's on the other hand...
... said Rob on Apr 2, 2008 at 7:28 PM | link
Laurie,
I'm pretty sure the waterboarding of Culinary magnets was specifically banned by the Godiva Convention. In any case, if there is a story to be told, some of your information will have to come from outside the corporations. Barring an exposee video on Youtube, I don't know how you would get it (if there is information to be gotten). In the meantime, I prefer to consider your findings inconclusive right now.
As for BL's suggestion that our area is not attractive for expansion, I disagree. We have a tremendous amount going for us here in the Capital DIstrict. One of the reasons why I like Trader Joe's so much is, with it's bright lighting, wide aisles, ahead-of-the-curve product lines, it's an optimistic company; and similarly, we have every reason to be an optimistic community!
Bruce
Bruce Roter, President
We Want Trader Joe's in the Capital District
www.wwtj.org
broter2@verizon.net
... said Bruce Roter on Apr 2, 2008 at 7:43 PM | link
I pine for Wegman's. Growing up in northern NY I was only able to shop at Price Chopper, but when I lived in Maryland and the new Weggie's went in just down the road, my heart did a pitter-patter. I was able to enjoy New York state goodness in MD. Even when I visit friends in PA, I make sure to swing by their Wegman's and grab some of the tasty treats I can't find anywhere else.
... said Kate on Apr 3, 2008 at 9:31 AM | link
Please get to the bottom of this. We NEED a Wegman's or a Whole Foods.. something besides Price Chopper and Hannaford. Both would thrive in the Capital District.
... said Jen on Apr 3, 2008 at 3:40 PM | link
Since none of us, I suspect, are market research experts, we don't know Wegman's would thrive. Like everyone else, I love, love, love the store. But my love- or your love or several peoples' love does not make a store a success. There is so much more to a business flourishing. Just look at Krispee Kreme (sp?). Remember all the hype that came with that, and then there was often a line down Route 7 to get in? And yet that store didn't stick around. You can't assume something will be a success just because you love it. (Although, if Wegman's came 'round, I'd crack my PC card, throw out the ads from PC and Hannys and become a Wegman's devotee!)
... said Kristi on Apr 4, 2008 at 6:54 AM | link
say what you will, but when we have a Wegman's, a Trader Joe's and a Whole Foods this gourmand's life will be complete...
... said smitty on Apr 5, 2008 at 9:12 AM | link
Krispy Kreme pulling out was more of a regional thing, not due to low sales at that store in particlar.
... said Laurie on Apr 5, 2008 at 3:39 PM | link
Krispy Kreme's demise is due to stock holders greed when they did their initial IPO for the stock exchange. I think they are still under Federal Investigation. Tons of donut fans lost a lot of money due to the stock price dropping like an overstuffed Boston Cream when corporate dumped their overpriced shares.
... said Krispy on Mar 24, 2009 at 9:40 PM | link
I'd have to agree that this will never be admitted to by either of the two privately held corporations. And yes, there is a very slight overlap of the two markets in the I-81 corridor, but it ends there. To even compare the two markets is like comparing apples and oranges. Case in point, I got a better meal at the Wegman's in Johnson City than at the mall across the street. I wouldn't exactly expect that sort of quality of dining at any Price Chopper.
... said Sarah on Mar 25, 2009 at 4:59 PM | link
Hey guys, the Honest Weight Food Co-op is expanding! And it's going to be way better than Whole Foods, as well as cheaper. Where else can you get sheep cheese, local hydroponic tomatoes, great bulk selection, and a nose-full of patchouli all in one place? C'mon guys!
... said Lucy on Mar 25, 2009 at 7:00 PM | link
I don't get the Trader Joe's phenomena. I keep trying to and I keep failing.
If you like Trader Joe's, and don't support Honest Weight, shame on you.
Shame on you.
... said Lola on Mar 25, 2009 at 8:47 PM | link
For me, Price Chopper is utilitarian at best. I feel it is mediocre and go there only out of necessity. When I do shop there, I now look more carefully at stuff like yogurt and meats. In the past, I came close to purchasing stuff that was out-of-date before I realized it. Dirty and dated, it is the Winn Dixie of the North. Hannaford is better, but nothing beats a nice Wegman's.
... said weggie enthusiast on Apr 2, 2009 at 9:57 AM | link
I find it hilarious that anyone thinks Trader Joe's or Wegman's could open a store in the area and that store would not look like the Price Choppers and Hannafords in the same area after a year. Go ahead, drop a Wegman's into center square and watch it turn into the Delaware Chopper. Drop one on Central and it'll look like the Central Ave. Hannaford. Where will they go, to Yuppieville (aka Latham)? have you seen the Hannaford in Latham Farms? It's nice.
Also, AOA, there's some messed up HTML somewhere in here.
Editors: Thanks for the heads-up. I think the broken tag is fixed now.
... said B on Apr 2, 2009 at 10:55 AM | link
I've never even heard of Wegman's before this article! Seriously; what's so great about it?
I definitely prefer Hannaford to PC. As for Trader Joe's, I have to admit they're pretty cool. I will continue to support the co-op, though I'm not crazy about the new location they chose. It may reduce my number of visits- not out of spite, but due to inaccessibility. If I can't walk or bike to a place, I am far less likely to go.
... said Summer on Apr 2, 2009 at 12:09 PM | link
Culinary magnets = small food and utensil shaped household items that hold pieces of paper onto my fridge
Culinary magnates = high profile practicioners of the culinary arts, captains of culinary industry
Corporate CEO's of grocery chains = none of the above
... said Elizabeth on Apr 2, 2009 at 12:57 PM | link
I live near Rochester now, grew up and lived around Albany for 25 years. I will say that Wegmans is a great supermarket. Over here we have Wegmans and Tops.
Tops being nowhere near competition for Wegmans in general comparison.
Price Chopper is by far the most closely related competition that Wegmans can have. Price Chopper and Wegmans have similar setups as far as the stores go. High focus on prepared foods, deli, bakery and near restaurant like atmosphere.
Hannaford can't really compete to Wegmans. However I will say that I also miss Hannaford.
If anything, I think Western NY needs Price Chopper and the Capital Region certainly needs Wegmans.
I'd also add, WNY needs Stewart's. How I miss Stewart's.
... said CJ on Apr 2, 2009 at 2:27 PM | link
I grew up in a little central New York town that had 4 grocery stores in close driving distance:
Anyone *remember* Grand Union's implosion?
The furthest one from home was the Wegman's. That's where mom shopped. Milk and essentials came from the P&C at the bottom of the hill until they closed, then it was Price Chopper 1/2 mile further down the road.
Wegman's has long had a commitment to decent produce and meats as well as a larger than average selection of 'interesting' foods. They had a bakery in the store long before anyone else, as well as quality pre-cooked meals (unlike the ''broasted' chicken product I remember from someplace else...)
Chopper is utilitarian at best, opportunistic at worst. The difference from a 'ghetto' Chopper (Delaware Ave, W'vliet, and the one formerly in Troy Plaza all come to mind) the median Chopper and the 'premium' Chopper (Latham) has always kinda disturbed me.
I have a Trader Joe's close to work, had one down the street from the house in California. Eh. Full of prepackaged, overpriced, yuppie meals doesn't appeal to me. Give me a good local grocery store with a good meat department any day. Which is actually where we buy our meat now, the local bodega had a real butcher who knows what he is doing.
... said Komradebob on Apr 2, 2009 at 3:06 PM | link
Want Wegmans in the Capital District? Let grocery stores sell wine and liquor. That's why they picked Pennsylvania for their expansion.
... said artie on Apr 7, 2009 at 12:35 PM | link
Maybe the problem is Albany and the surrounding areas are not yuppy ENOUGH!
I grew up in central New York and have family in Buffalo. I went to school at SUNY Albany and now I live here.
In central and western New York Price Chopper and Wegman's are side by side and the parking lots are always full.
We also have about 4 other options of smaller stores that are locally owned and able to stay open!
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM CAPITOL REGION. HELLO.
... said Sara on Mar 30, 2010 at 7:50 PM | link
There is something rotten in the Capital District...
Sure, there are Wegmans & Price Chopper stores co-located in some areas. But just look at a map of Wegmans stores in New York State and then a map of Price Chopper Stores in New York. What do you see? There are no stores within their competitor's "home turf." Coincidence? No way.
I'm originally from Central New York and Wegmans clearly has figured it out. Their stores are attractive and fun places to shop. They have great variety. As far as prices, you really have to compare to make sure you're not getting taken advantage of.
On the topic of variety...
Unfortunately, after living in the Capital District for almost 20 years, our problem is that people here are too parochial and complacent to make anything innovative happen. They seem to support establishments that are new (remember the Krispy Kreme nuttiness?) but then lose interest. I'd love for us to have more variety here (e.g. Trader Joes), but I think these companies know that we just don't have the sustainability here to ensure that they are going to see enough profit from their investment.
... said Rick on Aug 3, 2011 at 1:00 PM | link
I don't think there is a grand conspiracy keeping Wegmans from moving east of Syracuse. Instead, Wegmans and Price Chopper are closely held family companies that have agreed to stay out of each other's sandbox. This agreement is also an implied threat...enter my territory and see what happens. Wegmans expansion is encircling Price Chopper's territory. This keeps Price Chopper contained in the Eastern NY/New England area while allowing Wegmans to continue its expansion. I think that Wegmans will eventually have the resources to force the issue with Price Chopper, and will either buy the company or begin establishing stores locally. To further speculate, I think that if Stewart's ever considered selling the business to either Price Chopper or Wegmans, this could really have some fun implications. Time will tell...
... said Rudy on Aug 3, 2011 at 1:57 PM | link