Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

Also Tesco USA is more a supermarket than a hypermarket. A smallish supermarket at that!

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

Right, I don't like having to check out myself. Safeway has both, and I only use the self check out if I have just one item and I'm in a hurry. In general, I just don't like it. Another reason I don't frequent F&E.

Rene

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

Even after a decade and more here, I'm embarrassed when someone packs my grocery bags.

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

I shop at the F&E in Eagle Rock -- it seems to be doing quite well. They have excellent helpful staff. At times I've used the one on Hollywood Blvd. near the Chinese Theater -- their staff sucks and is not helpful at all.

I've noted that the locations in old vacant super-markets will use half of the space with a "for lease" on the remainder of the space and no takers.

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

Very much like F&E - we have one that's within (European) walking distance of where we live.

It's not the cheapest but quality makes up for it - we have been doing a lot of our grocery shopping at the local Fry's and a few other places but the management there seems to be unable to figure out how to reorder, manage employee hours for consistently good service, or present produce that isn't about to go 'off' 20 minutes after getting it home.

More & more they seem to stop stocking the kinds of things we really like... meaning increasingly we have to go elsewhere to get the missing stuff.... and if you're going elsewhere, why not get everything at the other place.

My only gripe for our F&E is it doesn't have everything we need and some staples are more expensive.

I'd hate to see them disappear...

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

Especially when you all go shopping and there are 3 of you stood doing nothing. Not that my hubby ever goes to the store, EVER...

My daughter scans and I pack, we normally get it done quicker than waiting for them to mess around doing it in Safeways.

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

One item per bag!!!

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

I remember my trip to the UK way back in 1997. The first time we went grocery shopping, I was shocked to find out we had to pack our own bags!

Rene

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

I remember the boys in the Army Commissary who would pack your bags and then carry them out to the car -- they then would ask to be paid, it seemed that it was a long established practice! Of course, the prices were quite low minus 15%.

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

Why didn't they call themselves Tesco in America?

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

No brand recognition, so might as well go with something more interesting that tries to define what you are.

It's a massive market, with loads of competition so something pretty nondescript would get lost amongst the masses.

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

I don't care for F and E never found much that caught my eye, I felt sure that the store in Pleasanton or was it Modesto had self and regular check out desks!!! :unsure:

I have noticed on my travels that there are new locations opening I saw one yesterday in Sacramento on Watt Ave and they were moving supplies into the store yesterday lights were on and trucks outside!!

I am more your Grocery Outlet kinda lass and what they don't have I use Raley's who have dropped their prices at last.....Safeway is my fav but so flippen expensive.

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

Safeway has good sale prices though. Also lately I've been following Rene's advice and buying the Safeway brands (Eating Right, Lucerne, etc.) and have been very surprised at the quality. In fact now I much prefer some of the Safeway products over the national brands.

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

Yes in all fairness you are correct and the Friday specials can be good, but its still the most expensive in my opinion.

Re: Fresh and Easy going down?
 

Also what I didn't realize is that prices between Safeway stores within the area can be different. Safeway, for some products, lists what they consider the normal price and their card saving price and the card saving price may or may not be at other stores.