WINNIPEG — Three Save-On-Foods have entered the grocery game in Winnipeg as of Friday.
The B.C. based company had made strides in Alberta and decided to take its name east, making its first stop in Winnipeg. Three stores for now, with ambitions for more.
“Winnipeg did not have a lot of new grocery stores. There hadn’t been a lot of stores built here in many years, and we felt we could bring something special to the city of Winnipeg,” said Darrell Jones, President of Save-On-Foods.
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Kevin MacNeil with Metric Marketing said with Safeway and Sobeys coming together, they had left space for another competitor in the market.
“The other competitors for Save-On in town are going to have to compete,” said MacNeil.
Save-On has promised to bring with it a competitive approach to attract the customers.
Promising to price match with Safeway and Superstore.
Something that shoppers are hoping will open up more competition from the markets trying to attract their dollars.
One shopper said, “We’ll go where the prices are best, where it’s fresh, good product, selection.”
Economist, Rob Warren, said Save-On-Foods coming to Winnipeg is a win for consumers.
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“The market right now is so concentrated. Right now you only have two players in the market with Sobeys and Loblaws. Now you’re bringing a third player in. That’s nothing but good for the consumers,” said Warren.
Experts said right now the grocery store is a new, shiny, toy for consumers. Something for the shopper to explore, enjoy, and get excited about. However, it’s how the store will keep the shoppers coming back to them instead of the competition that will determine its success in Winnipeg.