The Capital District’s supermarket scene is heating up.
With two (perhaps three) new ShopRites planned and another already open, a Trader Joe’s coming to Colonie and major renovations to local Hannaford and Price Chopper stores, competition is bound to be fierce.
But each grocery store chain is confident it will fare just fine.
“I think ShopRite has a strong focus on service, a strong focus on being the type of store consumers want with all the services they’re looking for under one roof,” said Tom Urtz of ShopRite.
Construction is well underway at a new ShopRite location on Central Avenue in Albany near the OTB teletheater. A ShopRite will be rooted at the Vista Tech Park (across the street from the Slingerlands Price Chopper) and a proposal is currently before the Planning Board in Colonie to erect a shop on Central Avenue at the old Otto Cadillac dealership.
It might seem like ShopRites are popping up all over the Capital District, said Urtz, but expanding the brand to this area was a natural progression.
“Based on where we currently were before we launched into the Capital District market, the area seemed like the next logical place geographically for us to expand into,” said Urtz. “Given the growth of the region in general, the demographics of the area seemed an attractive place that matched up well with … what we offer.”
Similarly, the decision to make Colonie Trader Joe’s first upstate New York home wasn’t an accident.
“There (are) a lot of foodies. It’s a wonderful community and we consider ourselves a neighborhood store, so we feel it’s a great fit for us,” said Alison Mochizuki, spokesperson for Trader Joe’s.
Trader Joe’s representatives have been notoriously tightlipped about how long the grocery chain has eyed the 79 Wolf Road location but now that’s it’s official, the store is slated to open for business by mid-2012.
The grocery store is known for its more than 2,000 domestic, imported and specialty food items, constantly rotating food selection and the Trader Joe’s brand.
“Similar to other Trader Joe’s, 80 percent of the products will be under Trader Joe’s private label,” said Mochizuki.
Hannaford doesn’t have any new stores on the immediate horizon but the stores in Delmar and Colonie are on track to get massive overhauls.
“The project is expanding the store’s selection of organic and natural items and twice as many gluten-free products will be offered. The frozen food and dairy assortments also will grow,” said Spokesperson Eric Blom of the Colonie renovation, scheduled to be completed in the spring. “Changes to the layout of the store, such as making grocery aisles wider, will make the supermarket even easier to shop.”
The store is also expected to get “fresh new décor” and an enhanced café area. Hannaford Supermarkets in Voorheesville and Wyantskill already underwent similar remodeling efforts.
“These (renovations) are all designed on meeting the customer needs,” said Blom. “Something we’re very proud of is our environmental improvements we make.”
ShopRite is also taking care to assess and address the needs of the community, said Urtz, and each new store offers the types of products and services consumers want.
“We would like to focus on prepared foods, meals to go, providing services like a registered dietician and a strong emphasis on health and wellness,” said Urtz.
So far, the response from shoppers to the Niskayuna location has been positive.
“(They) welcomed us with open arms. It’s been a great experience for us. … They seem to definitely be thirsting for a new type of shopping environment,” said Urtz.
Despite the intrigue of a new grocery store to try out, Blom said Hannaford isn’t concerned about losing customers.
“We see competition in all of our markets so that’s nothing new to us and we believe, and experience has shown, that customers appreciate what we offer them,” said Blom, adding that the store’s active role in the community and its contributions to local organizations further solidifies its presence in the region.
Calls to Price Chopper to speak about changes to its local stores were not returned.
