JUBILEE SALES DOUBLE AFTER FRESH SECTION REMODELING

PAMELA BLAMEY

SOUTH OGDEN, N.Y. -- A Jubilee Foods store here doubled its weekly sales average in the first week after its fresh departments were remodeled and remerchandised.

As SN reported on Aug. 5, the South Ogden store is one of several in the Buffalo area to have profited from a revamp courtesy of its wholesaler, Fleming's Buffalo retail group.

The 60,000-square-foot store has continued to experience a sales boost over the previous year, according to store manager Danny Myers.

"Prior to the grand opening, sales were running negative 9% over 1995," said Myers. "In four weeks [since the grand opening] sales were up 15% over 1995 -- that's a 24% swing."

The special attention to fresh foods departments was part of a strategy for competing with Wegmans and Tops, according to John MacIntyre, president of the Buffalo retail group.

"The focus was to work within the areas of perishables departments where we felt we needed to make the biggest impression [on] the customers," MacIntyre said.

He said the goal for Jubilee is "to become the best upscale small chain in the area." Similar remodels of three other stores in the area -- in Blasdell, Clarence and Caledonia -- which have since seen an average 17% sales increase over 1995.

In addition to the changes made in the meat and seafood departments, Jubilee opened a new floral department, started new programs in the deli and bakery departments and remerchandised the produce department.