Bill Hanifin

Sweetbay: We're Cheaper Than Publix

July 23, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
Sweetbay has an uphill battle going up against Publix in Florida but it's looking to gain an edge with a new ad campaign that sends a straightforward message: its prices on like items are lower on a day-in and day-out basis. What do you think of Sweetbay's approach to gaining market share in Florida?      [more...]

The Florida grocery market needs more competition, period.

Publix has survived the failure of Winn Dixie and near disappearance of Albertsons, leaving them in sole possession of "quality grocery shopping" in Florida. As a result Publix has been allowed leeway by the market on their prices. Walmart clearly owns the price advantage as we know, but shopping at a Super Store is not for everyone.

Walmart has wisely created an alternate "personality" and has mildly encroached the Publix domain by opening some neighborhood stores which offer an enhanced shopping experience and quality fresh produce.

Sweetbay probably can't compete on price with Walmart and I'm not sure if they are inclined/able to compete on the experiential level.

I'm not aware of the chain having locations in South Florida, a key population area, and am therefore unsure if anything they do would matter much to the Publix execs in Lakeland.