It appears that Safeway Compact is being sold off to Somerfield.
Morrisons sells off Safeway Stores
They must need the money as they have sold off loads of Safeway stores already. Though comes as a shock as Morrisons did plan to carry on with Safeway Compact, even using the name.
Isn't Morrisons a pile of crap
not sure how feasible it'd be to keep safeway compact going - for a start all the own brand goods would be morrisons ... so they'd find it hard to charge the same *convenience store prices* for a (on the face of it, brand wise at the very least) inferior product.nwtv2003 wrote:Though comes as a shock as Morrisons did plan to carry on with Safeway Compact, even using the name.
the integration my have been smoother if they'd style-ized the logo to have less in common with lidl's. keep the m, the colours (if you must), but the current morrisons m really doesn't come under the heading of "timeless icon".
i mean come on - even kwik save have updated their image to something half decent!
i'd be interested to know how the ex-safeways in scotland are doing - weren't there a fair few up there from when safeway took over presto?
i worked for a supermarket chain that took over a chain of convenience stores and the way in which they were integrated was centered around keeping the differences between new and old as understated as possible. the rather high pricing was retained for a long while, old branding, uniforms were all kept whilst the way in which the stores operated behind the scenes were changed slowly.
after what seemed like ages, it was decided to apply a slight variation (a slightly posher version) of 'our' brand onto the shops rather than just using the main brand. made perfect sense really, and apparently the shops we acquired are now going from strength to strength.
From a consumer point of view, terrible.tvmercia wrote:i'd be interested to know how the ex-safeways in scotland are doingnwtv2003 wrote:Though comes as a shock as Morrisons did plan to carry on with Safeway Compact, even using the name.
The quality and variety went downhill overnight. Products that safeway stocked when no other supermarket did disappeared. From an image point of view I was driving past one of their petrol stations last week and it was the most tacky forecourt I have ever seen - Burmah or Statoil have a greater touch of class to them. No one likes the new bags either - transparent!? People prefer not to show everyone what they have bought, I never re-use them on that basis.
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James Martin
- Posts: 1011
- Joined: Sun 15 Feb, 2004 19.26
They are stronger than the Safeway ones though I've noticed!
The thing about Morrisons is that the takeover is ego-driven, not consumer driven.
However, it's great news that Safeway Compact is being dispensed to Somerfield, who are about to convert a Kwik Save in the centre of our town into a convienience store, called "Somerfield Essentials" - essentially *Boom Boom* a cut-down version - it'll be interesting to see how many are made into Somerfield Essentials.
Somerfield have really got their act together over the last few years - my family stopped using them in the 90s as their product quality was poor. However, my mum started using them again when I worked for them in Summer 2003, and the quality of products is now very good.
The thing about Morrisons is that the takeover is ego-driven, not consumer driven.
However, it's great news that Safeway Compact is being dispensed to Somerfield, who are about to convert a Kwik Save in the centre of our town into a convienience store, called "Somerfield Essentials" - essentially *Boom Boom* a cut-down version - it'll be interesting to see how many are made into Somerfield Essentials.
Somerfield have really got their act together over the last few years - my family stopped using them in the 90s as their product quality was poor. However, my mum started using them again when I worked for them in Summer 2003, and the quality of products is now very good.
I went into my local branch of Safeway's yesterday evening and was surprised at how naff it looked. Loads of special offers and enjoy the change signs everywhere.
I was going in to buy a tin of Safeway's tuna, as I have always liked the taste of it and it has always been well oiled compared to the stuff available in other supermarkets.
However, when I arrived I was disappointed to see that only tiny tins of the Safeway's stuff were there - the normal sized ones were now Morrisons. Needless to say, I passed up the chance to try the Morrisons branded stuff and went to Sainsbury's instead. Oh, and the price hadn't come down either. So much for enjoying the change ... :roll:
I was going in to buy a tin of Safeway's tuna, as I have always liked the taste of it and it has always been well oiled compared to the stuff available in other supermarkets.
However, when I arrived I was disappointed to see that only tiny tins of the Safeway's stuff were there - the normal sized ones were now Morrisons. Needless to say, I passed up the chance to try the Morrisons branded stuff and went to Sainsbury's instead. Oh, and the price hadn't come down either. So much for enjoying the change ... :roll:
Morrisions?!?!? Never heard of them, I have heard of Safeway However, I think they had one in Ilford at one stage.
All it is in East London (which Included Romford & Ilford) is Tesco's.
There's one In:
Gallows Corner (Romford RM),
Goodmayes Station (IG2/RM),
Gallions Reach Megastore & nearby shopping complex (London E14 x2),
Oxford Street Metro(London W1 - although this one may have closed down now) I know this isn't East London but I just remebered it,
Leytonstone (London E11),
Homerton (Metro?)(London E9),
Liverpool Street (London EC2 - near the station),
Walthamstow (London E17 - Near the tube station I think)
& several others most probably.
As for Sainsbury's there's only three I can remember now this way
Ilford (IG1)
Chadwell Heath (RM)
Newbury Park (IG3)
Although Asda's are becomeing more common a new one opened in Leytonstone this year
All it is in East London (which Included Romford & Ilford) is Tesco's.
There's one In:
Gallows Corner (Romford RM),
Goodmayes Station (IG2/RM),
Gallions Reach Megastore & nearby shopping complex (London E14 x2),
Oxford Street Metro(London W1 - although this one may have closed down now) I know this isn't East London but I just remebered it,
Leytonstone (London E11),
Homerton (Metro?)(London E9),
Liverpool Street (London EC2 - near the station),
Walthamstow (London E17 - Near the tube station I think)
& several others most probably.
As for Sainsbury's there's only three I can remember now this way
Ilford (IG1)
Chadwell Heath (RM)
Newbury Park (IG3)
Although Asda's are becomeing more common a new one opened in Leytonstone this year
Johnny
Harry Hill : "What is it about people that repair shoes that makes them so good at cutting keys? Try going in there with a shoe shaped like a key and see how confused they get."
Harry Hill : "What is it about people that repair shoes that makes them so good at cutting keys? Try going in there with a shoe shaped like a key and see how confused they get."
Bloody hell you've got enough Safeway's there, in Warrington there's one Safeway BP store that only opened last year, one Morrisons, 2 Somerfields, 1 Kwik Save (thats closing at the beginning of next year), 2 Sainsbury's (One's a Local), 2 Tesco (Well one is Tesco Extra and one is Tesco Metro at an Esso station) and 3 Asda's!
I think Somerfield is a good supermarket and has some good products, the problem is our local one looks very old fashioned, it hasn't changed since it was Gateway, which closed in the mid 1990's! Though I've been to one in Manchester City Centre which is more up to date and has more choice, same with Tesco Metro on Market St in Manchester, it's always busy but they have most tills open and there's alot of choice!
I think Somerfield is a good supermarket and has some good products, the problem is our local one looks very old fashioned, it hasn't changed since it was Gateway, which closed in the mid 1990's! Though I've been to one in Manchester City Centre which is more up to date and has more choice, same with Tesco Metro on Market St in Manchester, it's always busy but they have most tills open and there's alot of choice!
Sorry their not Safeways They're Tesco's (unless you wern't refering to my thread of course)nwtv2003 wrote:Bloody hell you've got enough Safeway's there, in Warrington there's one Safeway BP store that only opened last year, one Morrisons, 2 Somerfields, 1 Kwik Save (thats closing at the beginning of next year), 2 Sainsbury's (One's a Local), 2 Tesco (Well one is Tesco Extra and one is Tesco Metro at an Esso station) and 3 Asda's!
I think Somerfield is a good supermarket and has some good products, the problem is our local one looks very old fashioned, it hasn't changed since it was Gateway, which closed in the mid 1990's! Though I've been to one in Manchester City Centre which is more up to date and has more choice, same with Tesco Metro on Market St in Manchester, it's always busy but they have most tills open and there's alot of choice!
Johnny
Harry Hill : "What is it about people that repair shoes that makes them so good at cutting keys? Try going in there with a shoe shaped like a key and see how confused they get."
Harry Hill : "What is it about people that repair shoes that makes them so good at cutting keys? Try going in there with a shoe shaped like a key and see how confused they get."
our local Kwik Save (virtually over the road from Safeway Compact, well two roads with a disused bus station inbetween) was due to be converted to a Somerfield but had been mysteriously delayed 4 times. It's now rather clear what is planned next.
We also have a Lidl opening in town which has *shot* up in a few days, fastest I've ever seen anything built. I don't expect it to last long what with the complete joke the shop is. In the former nearest sotre I'd heard of Weetabix and nothing else when I went in. Next time that had gone and they had Pepsi in, and a load of vile looking german stuff.
Tesco are also looking to move into town but taking into account our lack of proper open space (we're on-par with Edinburgh when it comes to rabbit warren buildings) I'm not sure if it'll work, and if it does it'll have to be out of town which would not be good.
We also have a Lidl opening in town which has *shot* up in a few days, fastest I've ever seen anything built. I don't expect it to last long what with the complete joke the shop is. In the former nearest sotre I'd heard of Weetabix and nothing else when I went in. Next time that had gone and they had Pepsi in, and a load of vile looking german stuff.
Tesco are also looking to move into town but taking into account our lack of proper open space (we're on-par with Edinburgh when it comes to rabbit warren buildings) I'm not sure if it'll work, and if it does it'll have to be out of town which would not be good.
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James Martin
- Posts: 1011
- Joined: Sun 15 Feb, 2004 19.26
Yeah, Somerfield are converting a large number of Kwik Saves since taking them over - they've just converted one in Coventry.
I wouldn't be adversed to seeing Kwik Save wiped out and replaced with Somerfield as Somerfield is a better brand and provides a better service, whereas Morrisons provide a poorer-quality service to Safeway and in that case, dumping the Safeways isn't neccesarily the best thing to do.
Somerfield products are also far better than the Morrisons ones too. It's a shame Sainsbury's weren't allowed to take over... one thing we've missed in Hinckley for ages is a Sainsbury's.
I wouldn't be adversed to seeing Kwik Save wiped out and replaced with Somerfield as Somerfield is a better brand and provides a better service, whereas Morrisons provide a poorer-quality service to Safeway and in that case, dumping the Safeways isn't neccesarily the best thing to do.
Somerfield products are also far better than the Morrisons ones too. It's a shame Sainsbury's weren't allowed to take over... one thing we've missed in Hinckley for ages is a Sainsbury's.
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Anonymous
Looking at it, I used to work for Safeway but moved a few years ago to ASDA, one of the reasons was I could see this coming, I saw the company going downhill slowly and decided to get out whilst I could.
However looking at it from my point of view, they should have taken a page from WAL-MART's book, if any retailer out there is sucessful it's WAL-MART, look at them, they're the worlds largest!
When WAL-MART entered the UK and Aquired ASDA in 1999, they didn't touch the brand, they kept it and put it alongside it's name, this was the right approach as since then ASDA has remained unaffected and grown because of it.
Why would you want to obliterate a recognised and established brand?
I mean it's now been 5 years since WAL-MART aqquired ASDA and it's only just recently that you've started to see the WAL-MART brand make an appearance in ASDA's stores, however they have made it clear they will never get rid of the ASDA name or brand.
If you look at ASDA's website, you'll see the new ASDA logo, Part of the WAL*MART family, our newer stores are ASDA WAL*MART Supercentres so if you ask me, Morrisons should have taken this approach, slowed down the rate of integration and concentrated on slowly making the changes.
At the moment what they are doing is ultimately suicidal and especially here in Scotland, they'll end up bringing themselves to their knees, the company really doesn't have much of a chance now as Sir Ken has basically strangled the life out of a strong and well known brand name.
However looking at it from my point of view, they should have taken a page from WAL-MART's book, if any retailer out there is sucessful it's WAL-MART, look at them, they're the worlds largest!
When WAL-MART entered the UK and Aquired ASDA in 1999, they didn't touch the brand, they kept it and put it alongside it's name, this was the right approach as since then ASDA has remained unaffected and grown because of it.
Why would you want to obliterate a recognised and established brand?
I mean it's now been 5 years since WAL-MART aqquired ASDA and it's only just recently that you've started to see the WAL-MART brand make an appearance in ASDA's stores, however they have made it clear they will never get rid of the ASDA name or brand.
If you look at ASDA's website, you'll see the new ASDA logo, Part of the WAL*MART family, our newer stores are ASDA WAL*MART Supercentres so if you ask me, Morrisons should have taken this approach, slowed down the rate of integration and concentrated on slowly making the changes.
At the moment what they are doing is ultimately suicidal and especially here in Scotland, they'll end up bringing themselves to their knees, the company really doesn't have much of a chance now as Sir Ken has basically strangled the life out of a strong and well known brand name.