Will Sale of Jewel-Osco Affect Local Stores?

Harry Gio January 11, 2013 at 12:28 pm

This is a tough, tough, tough economy for 99% of the American public, and with the SIGNIFICANT discounts given at Walmart, why would anyone want to shop at Jewel-Osco or Dominicks and pay 20-40% MORE? Walmart has helped, and will continue to help struggling families by offering EVERYTHING at significant discounts... Walmart offers BIGGER stores for LESS... Who can beat that? The parking lot at Jewel-Osco and Dominicks grocery stores is only 10% full at any given time, but the Walmart store parking lots are packed FULL with cars from open to close! Walmart is clearly the solution to shopping at an affordable price... Jewel-Osco and Dominicks had their run, but now it's over...

George Slefo (Editor) January 11, 2013 at 04:04 pm

I'd like to add to the conversation. I typically shop at Jewel for certain things as they are actually cheaper than Walmart - canned pop comes to mind when they have their 4/11 sales. They also have good deals on frozen pizza, ice cream.
I do my produce shopping at places like Jerry's Fruit Market in Niles and my deli shopping at Food 4 Less in Evanston (side note, that's a crazy parking lot!). I think a lot more Americans are getting different things at different stores. Still, Walmart is a powerhouse, you're right, and I'm sure it had a lot to do with Jewel's slow sales.

Ziggy January 11, 2013 at 04:31 pm

The Jewel on Busse in Park Ridge is a wonderful place to shop. I am willing to spend a few dollars more to shop in a clean store with great employees.

ConcernedCitizen January 11, 2013 at 05:13 pm

Haven't been in a Jewel in years...Way too expensive. I buy pop on sale at Target. I do most of my grocery shopping at Aldi. Milk is less than $2.00 a gallon, salad dressing is cheap, sour cream, eggs, even pork chops. I also shop at Market Place on Oakton. I get vegetables and fruit there. And you can get a pack of 6-7 chicken legs for less than $3.00....Items like laundry soap, dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels, and even ribeye roasts (we cut them and freeze as individual steaks) I buy at Costco. I think that Jewel and Dominicks are way overpriced!!!

Lori Lippitz January 11, 2013 at 06:55 pm

I shop there once a week, but only for packaged goods and sometimes dairy. The three excellent local greengrocers in Skokie and Lincolnwood provide fresh produce at excellent prices.

Laura Frisch January 11, 2013 at 09:30 pm

We shop locally, and try to avoid shopping at big box stores. We are on a tight budget like many these days, but we make a conscientious effort to support locally grown and made products. When you spend more on food, you are less likely to waiste it. Americans throw out tons of food annually. For instance, we eat the cheese we get from the Morton Grove Farmers' Market, yes its more expensive, but the flavor is more intense and therefore we use much less in our cooking and on our cheese platters. Buying locally made bread at Maiers bakery over on Waukeegan is almost the same cost as bread at big stores, but they use no preservatives and it is made fresh each day, the taste is also superior. (You can freeze what you don't use right away.) We each have a choice to eat what we want, I choose to eat local. I have one life to live and one planet to live it on. If you would like to check out the delicious offerings at the Morton Grove Farmers' Market, come check out the next Winter Market on Feb. 2, I'm a volunteer there, so say hello if you see me. For more info about the market you can go to MGFarmersMarket.com.

BJ January 11, 2013 at 10:29 pm

Prices are too high and hopefully they'll redo the Jewel in Des Plaines, the place is a dump

Jason C. January 12, 2013 at 01:28 am

I've always liked Jewel. Grew up with them. Better produce, and much more pleasant environment than the competition. Out here in the far suburbs Jewel is the store that is a class act, while the "local owned" competition doesn't have good selection or service.

Susan K January 12, 2013 at 03:59 pm

Susan
The ladies who work at Jewel are so incredibly nice. I enjoy talking to them always. Jewel is a nice store, with some good buys. Of course there is stiff competition - if you want to drive a lot, but that is your choice of how to use your time. Walmart is the biggest gun selling store, something to think about! Susan