Dive Brief:
- C&S Wholesale Grocers said Monday that it reduced prices on “thousands” of products at supermarket chains it operates across eight Midwestern states.
- The reductions, which began rolling out in May, range from 6% to 15% and focus on goods including fresh produce and meats.
- The price cuts reflect efforts by multiple grocers to attract inflation-weary shoppers with savings and come as the industry deals with declining volumes.
Dive Insight:
C&S is offering the discounts at chains including Family Fare, VG’s Grocery and Martin’s Super Markets, all of which the company acquired last year through its $1.77 billion purchase of SpartanNash. The grocer also lowered prices at stores under its legacy Piggly Wiggly banner.
The banners participating in the campaign run stores in Indiana, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. C&S also operates the Grand Union and D&W Fresh Market banners.
C&S did specify how long the price decreases would remain in place, noting only that they are intended to provide “additional value to shoppers on the items they want the most throughout the summer.”
C&S said its stores are using in-store signage and price tags to draw attention to discounted items, which include foods such as boneless chicken breasts, bell peppers, ground meat and bananas. The company also reduced prices on condiments like yellow mustard, ketchup, dish detergent and trash bags.
“This investment reflects our commitment to helping shoppers stretch their budgets without compromising on quality, freshness and selection,” C&S CEO Eric Winn said in a statement.
C&S has also recently sought to attract shoppers by refreshing stores. The company said earlier this year that it finished remodeling projects at several locations, including a Martin’s Super Market store in Goshen, Indiana, and a Family Fare location in St. Ignace, Michigan.
Other grocery retailers that have recently announced price reductions include Giant Eagle, Stop & Shop and Walmart. Albertsons CEO Susan Morris said last week that the company plans to use targeted price cuts to keep lower-income shoppers from defecting, while Kroger’s new CEO, Greg Foran, has said that cutting prices will be a centerpiece of the retailer’s effort to improve its competitive position.
