photo: LA Times
So, have you visited your local Fresh and Easy store yet? (CA. AZ. NV.) I’ve had a chance and I’m not so sure it’s the kind of store I want. Everything looks harmless enough, all packed in mostly generic wrappers and neat as a pin but I’m wondering how the UK’s Tesco (owners) is gonna pull this off.
They are appealing to my eyes but not my pocket book since the quantities in packaging are smaller and the prices are ultimately higher. AND, they don’t sell baking items, sugar, flour baking powder etc. That just busts my bubble right there.
The food seemed fresh, things were easy enough with the self checkout lines, but there was something gnawing at me the whole time I was in there… can’t quite put my finger on it. Does that mean I need to go back?… maybe.
We’ll see.
What is your take on the place? Where do you like to shop and why? … leave your comments! (be nice, God is listening and the whole world is reading along)
By the way, I didn’t mention that in my town alone there have been 4 Fresh and Easy Stores, that I know of, built in the past year, plus they built a huge distribution center just outside the city limits. I sure would hate to see these brand new buildings standing empty and then being turned into trashy buildings housing cheap swapmeets like the Mervyns in a neighboring town did. That just degrades the community.
amended: 10.15.08
i shopped there once, i wasnt amazed but i thought their stuff was pretty good and not as crowded as say Staters which never has enough checkout stands open. however, i shopped there again a few weeks ago while in california and within 2 days most of my food was starting to turn, the peaches were wrinkled and already starting to get moldy as well as the strawberries. I was disappointed and felt like i had wasted alot of money but it would be more wastefull to drive all the way back into town (20 min) and use up the gas to return a few peaches…also i had to make a second stop at another store to pick up items that they didnt carry singles of (what am i going to do with 12 onions?). i dont plan on shopping there again.
when in arizona (where i actally live) i shop at sprouts, they have a great selection (not prepackaged in multiples) the prices are only slightly higher than the major grocer but their food is super fresh (peaches have lasted more than a week!) and they have everything i need so no multiple stops. they also carry more health conscience items that i cant find anywhere else which is why i am willing to pay a higher price…so my vote is for sprouts.
I shop at Fresh & Easy regularly in California. The concept is different than normal grocery stores. I can say, coming from the East Coast, these stores are a real gem. The food is all made fresh from the Distribution Center with little to no preservatives or additives. That is why they have shorter shelf lives. I can find 80-90% of what I need there. And they do have some baking needs there. I have found baking soda, sugar, and baking mixes there (to rattle off a few that come to mind). They now have smaller portioned ready-to-heat meals that are smaller in price. The regular meals are usually designed for two people, so it really isn’t that bad of a deal. I can usually get dinner for two, under $10. They have some great items in their brand lines. I LOVE the fresh Poke and the Strawberry Lemonade. The potstickers and meatloaf meal are great too. This store is worth checking out. Just come with an open mind and forget what you previously thought a grocery store should be:)