Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!watserv1!djohnson
From: djohnson@watserv1.waterloo.edu ( DOUG JOHNSON - GEOGRAPHY )
Newsgroups: ont.general
Subject: Re: Supermarket shakeup?
Message-ID: <14@watserv1.waterloo.edu>
Date: 31 Oct 89 02:20:52 GMT
References: <1989Oct28.204533.16975@telly.on.ca> <1989Oct29.050306.1134@xenitec.on.ca>
Reply-To: djohnson@watserv1.waterloo.edu ( DOUG JOHNSON - GEOGRAPHY )
Distribution: ont
Organization: U. of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 25

In article <1989Oct29.050306.1134@xenitec.on.ca> edhew@xenitec.UUCP (Ed Hew) writes:
>In Kitchener, the major national chains never were able to make any
>inroads on the local "giants".  The two main chains in KW are Zehrs
>and DutchBoy.  Their competition is Knectels (Village Markets), plus
>some independents.  After Zehrs and Dutchboy prevented Lablaws from
>coming in and chased Dominion out of town, they sold out to them.
>
>Of interest:  SuperCentre here lasted about 1/2 a year.  It's a Zehrs now.
>A&P's current incarnation (SuperFresh) has just changed marketing strategy
>again.  I wonder how long they're going to last this time.

(Local note: ever wonder why the 'new' Zehrs looks like the SuperCentre?)
Ever wonder why hrs, SuperCentre, Mr. Grocer, and Loblaws all carry
Preside's Choice products? Are there any Dominions left? If so
add them to the list (Mr. Grocer were intitiated as Dominion stores
with the union removed (Local Note: spot the high proportion of
student cashiers at MG?)). THEY ARE ALL OWNED BY THE SAME COMPANY!
(I believe its Westons, now).

Ed Hew is correct, KW is a unique market. The local paper's (KW Record)
food critic (Jim Rhoman - sp?) is great. He covers corporate concentration
in the food industry (among other topics). A facinating topic. Unfortunately,
I couldn't keep up with his revelations! :-(.

DJ