LOS ANGELES -- Consumers here are taking the Southern California strike-lockout in stride after four months of dealing with it, based on one-on-one interviews with a handful of them in different parts of the city.
from striking workers if they were to recognize her.
Several of those interviewed said they have shifted most of their buying to alternative outlets, but will probably go back to their primary supermarket after the strike ends because of convenience. Others said they were satisfied with the alternatives available, and would probably not go back to where they used to shop.
Consumers' comments follow:
Annabelle Empero, 42, Simi Valley
Before the strike, I shopped primarily at Albertsons and also at Jon's Markets [an independent] and Trader Joe's. I've continued to shop at Albertsons during the strike, but while the service is pretty much the same, there are a lot of empty shelves and a lot of missing products and the deli, bakery and service meat departments are open sometimes and closed other times. When I can't find a food item I want at Albertsons, I go to a different store, but I've always done that. For example, I prefer the fruits and vegetables at Jon's because I like the prices and the quality, so I've always made two trips a week. But since the strike, Jon's has been more crowded. After the strike, I don't expect to change any of my shopping habits.
Tanya Nickerson, 31, Inglewood
I usually shop at Ralphs and Albertsons. Now I shop at Ralphs, Food 4 Less and Superior Warehouse, and I go to Costco when I get a chance. I'm not a member, but I sometimes go with my aunt, who is a member.
At Ralphs, I'm not able to find everything I want because they don't have it. They have a lot of empty shelves, and that has discouraged me. But I go back and forth.
After the strike, my shopping habits may change because I've found that going to Costco, I can get more for my money.
Sylvia Zanders, 61, Inglewood
I shopped at Vons and Ralphs before the strike. Since the strike, I go to Food 4 Less, Superior, Florence Market [an independent] and Buy Low [an independent]. I've been to Ralphs, but it was poorly stocked and I wasn't able to find the products I wanted.
I was at one Ralphs on a Sunday at noon, and the chicken case was practically empty. All they had was gizzards and three packs of drumsticks.
Once the strike is over, I'll go back to Vons and Ralphs. I understand why there's a strike because medical benefits are very important, but the companies could do a better job supplying the stores. And prices have increased on what's there. I've been to Smart & Final occasionally, and their prices are up, too. For example, frozen chicken drumettes, which usually sell for $5, were up to $7-something.
Celeste Balthazar, 37, West Los Angeles
I usually shop at Albertsons, and I'm still shopping at Albertsons. My health insurance is costing me $125 a month as a single woman, and I just saw the first raise in rates in several years, so I have no sympathy for the striking workers.
I've been able to buy everything I need, but the lines [at Albertsons] have been a lot longer. During the first couple of weeks of the strike, more people were going to Trader Joe's with the expectation the strike would end, but I think more people are coming back to Albertsons now.
Mel Miller, 61, West Los Angeles
I usually shop at Vons, but since the strike, I've been shopping mostly at Trader Joe's. I'm able to find everything there or equivalent products, with a couple of exceptions, and I've gone to Rite-Aid for some nonfood items, like a particular brand of toilet paper. I also went to Smart & Final once to purchase a specific item.
I don't feel inconvenienced by the strike. I was shifting away from Vons and going more often to Trader Joe's because they have better prices on what I buy, plus better quality. When the strike ends, I'll go back to Vons for specific items, including Tropicana or Florida's Best orange juice, but I will continue shopping at Trader Joe's.
Lois Levine, 57, West Los Angeles
I normally shop at Albertsons, Vons, Ralphs and Trader Joe's. I don't have a lot of non-union stores in my area, so now I go mostly to Trader Joe's and to Ralphs for fresh vegetables. I've had trouble finding some items at Ralphs, mostly nonfood items like cleaning supplies.
Since the strike began, I probably go to Trader Joe's more often. That's always been my main store, and since I'm used to not going to a supermarket very often, I go even less now and will continue to do that when the strike is over. It doesn't make much difference to me which of the three chains I go to because I usually go to whichever is closest to where I am. I have no loyalty to any one store.
Harry Spitz, 57, North Hollywood
I normally shop at Ralphs. Since the strike, I've gone to Ralphs much less than before because I can't find many things that I'm looking for that I used to buy there. I now shop at Costco, Vallarta [a Hispanic market] and Smart & Final.
I think my long-term shopping habits will change when the strike is over because I see that I can do very well without Ralphs.
I think both sides of this strike are wrong, but Ralphs has done a major disservice to the community by eliminating so many other chains, in particular Hughes Markets, which was brought down to Ralphs' level rather than improving Ralphs.
