Wegmans-YES!--But what about Giant???

[FoiGras]

I live about 30 miles away from the Hunt Valley Wegman's, so only shop there occassionally and only to purchase unusual cheeses, and other food items.

Since I am five minutes from a Giant store (which is where I primarily shop), am happy to say that I really like their new format. The store (and many of their other locations) have undergone rejuvenation. They are much more "upscale," seemingly in an attempt to compete with Wegman's and Harris Teeter.

Has anyone else encountered the facelift that Giant has undergone, and what is your opinion? FoiGras

[FoiGras]

Sorry for the duplication. FoiGras

[wayne keyser]

Facilities renovated, but that's not the same as a "sea change" in their product selection. I know they'd like it to appear like a big change, but for me, it's a net negative.

First, I go to Giant looking for the things I can get at Giant. If they introduce something new and wonderful, that's great, but they haven't - 99% same stock and same quality. There's a manned seafood counter, and that's better than being stuck with stuff pre-wrapped on trays, but that guy looks mighty lonely, and I don't think that feature will last. The aisles are brighter and maybe wider (I don't care, I'll shop at an ancient market if it has wonderful things) but some of the things I go to Giant for are gone. All the employees seem to have been ordered to speak a cheery word and offer to help to everyone they pass, I'd prefer to not have to remove my ear buds to say "What?", and I hate the poorly-hidden look behind their eyes that says "I'm in retail hell, please shoot me and put me out of my misery."

Giant, please stop moving things around where I can't find them every 6 months, and just be dependable with what you do well.

Shoppers ... same advice.

[givemecarbs]

Wayne is your Giant open twenty four hours? I like to go there after eleven pm when the traditional managers are gone. If an employee is friendly to you in the late hours, it's because they feel like it. But then I've always been partial to night crews. I miss the night crew at my local Acme now that they close at eleven.

[weezycom]

I have found a few things I like better in the renovated Giant near me. For instance, carrying the Roma brand of sausages (excellent, and local -- made in Baltimore) and a better variety of meats (more lamb, cryovac cuts of duck, etc.). I have noticed a lot more pre-packaging in the produce department (boo!). They have increased the size of their organic / vegetarian / diet-specific department in my store.

I agree about moving the peanut butter -- but they've always done that about every six months. I swan, I'm going to find it with the light bulbs and foil wrap next time I go to the store. Drives me bonkers, and I'm sure it's done on purpose.

[givemecarbs]

LOL weezycom. Why they gotta move stuff? Went to my local Acme about ten last nite and one of my favorite cashiers was working. The lady in front of me forgot her box of clementines and the cashier went running after her. Now that is service and caring. They got an Acme in your town, Wayne?

[monkeyrotica]

The Giant closest to me cut A LOT of the brands and products I purchase last year, added a bunch of self-checkouts, and can't compete with Safeway on prices or SFW on selection. I haven't set foot in the place since.

[weezycom]

I am loving the hand-held self-scanners and self-checkout. I go in, load my re-usable totes up the way I want things bagged as I scan along, then scan the "checking out" barcode, swipe my Giant card, pay and go without ever having to load things onto the conveyor belt.

Except, don't dawdle in the store, backtrack, buy alcohol, or remove items b/c that triggers something that cancels your scan order, and you have to wait for a void from the main cashier then un-bag, re-scan at the checkout, re-bag, etc. hate it.

SFW isn't convenient at all for me, though, and I don't like Safeway's meats (select instead of choice) or their bagged salad mixes, and are more expensive on my regular items, so they are both off my list.

[givemecarbs]

I prefer real people to ring me up weezycom. Especially in this economy I like to know people still have jobs. But then I will wait in a long line at the post office rather than use the machine in the lobby. But after eleven pm my 24 hour Giant only has self check out. The female voice on the Giant self check out is really grating, so I took a tip from the friendly night crew and use the spanish language setting. I don't understand spanish in general but the instructions are pretty obvious and the male spanish speaker is a lot less annoying.

[monkeyrotica]

I've had far fewer self-checkout problems with SFW than Giant. There always seems to be something that causes an error. That, or a long line because someone is rolling dollar bills into the machine instead of using a debit card.

I just wish Safeway would have more self-checkout aisles. The one closest to me has none and the second closest has 12 aisles, no self checkout, and no more than 3 aisles are ever open. WTF is the point of having all those aisles in the first place if they're never open?

Harris Teeter seems to have the best mix of self checkout and real cashiers. Their cheese section is superior to SFW, Safeway, and Giant.