From the Publisher: A Wegmans Walkabout

Just how good is Wegmans?

In my neck of the woods, at least, the chain has developed quite a reputation with consumers who value virtually every part of its merchandising mix and shopping experience. 

But is it public relations fluff or hardcore reality that is the growth engine for this operation? I needed to find out and decided to put Wegmans through the ultimate taste test: my 18-year-old son Andrew. 

As you will read in this issue, Grocery Headquarters has named Wegmans as our National Retailer of the Year. This honor coincides with the chain’s 100th anniversary, an event that officials at the Rochester, N.Y.-based chain are making a very big deal out of with their employees and consumers. To learn more about the company I visited several stores in suburban New Jersey, an area that Wegmans officials have targeted for future growth, not to mention a region that is simply begging for more supermarkets that meet the needs of upscale, hard-working shoppers who simply do not have the time to mess around with their grocery needs. 

At my last stop, I decided to buy some products, mostly from the perishables side of the store to see just how good they are, and because even editors of business magazines have to make dinner. Of course, using Andrew as the jury would put a lot of pressure on Wegmans products. After all, this is a kid who can find something wrong with a candy bar—and often does. 

I came home with fish, steak, meatballs, egg rolls, apples and chicken shumai, plus two pies—that was for me—enough for about two to three meals for a growing teenager. The verdict? A big thumbs up as he opened the basement door to play X-box for three hours after finishing the last meal made from Wegmans merchandise. It should be noted that all the food was consumed within 24 hours. 

The fact is that Wegmans is winning consumers’ hearts, minds and wallets by stressing dinnertime preparations and lunchtime convenience. The chain’s produce, deli, meat, bakery and fish departments are impressive for a number of reasons, including the wide range of products available, the quality and, frankly, the fact that the prices were not too crazy. 

Wegmans is also winning on the nonfoods side. Its conveniently placed nonfoods section is chock full of items not usually seen at supermarkets, including an impressive array of larger and non-traditional housewares items and a big emphasis on cosmetics and natural supplements. The pharmacy too, is right there and hard to miss. 

Service is another big bonus. The chain employs people who just seem to care a little more than workers at many other stores. Every question I asked was quickly answered, most of the time offering other options that would only enhance my food preparations, not to mention chain coffers. 

Some things did catch me by surprise. For example, Wegmans places a much larger—perhaps too large—emphasis on private label products than most supermarkets. And its grocery section is small and awkwardly placed in the far corner of the store with little connection to the rest of the operation. 

In the end, Wegmans appears to be in a very good spot. It is positioning itself for the future of grocery shopping, where consumers increasingly see the supermarket as a place for solutions for their dining needs.