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...and Kroger calls the bet by reinventing its emporium
By CYNTHIA LESCALLEET
It was big to begin with. Then it got bigger. And now it’s remodeling to be bigger inside without having to get bigger overall.
That’s Kroger’s location at 5150 Buffalo Speedway, currently winding up its remodeling. Given the temporary wooden fortifications of its entrance, the store looks like its literally preparing for battle in the grocery war ahead with H-E-B across the street.
Kroger expects to wrap up its re-do by August — which is when H-E-B projects completion.
Of these side-by-side emporiums of food and more, Gary Huddleston, Kroger’s director of consumer affairs, said: “The customer wins with that.”
In Kroger’s case, the company believes its total package of variety and service will continue to attract its customer base, those both loyal and curious about changes within its store, he said.
“We’re putting our best foot forward,” he said.
At 86,000-square feet, this Kroger is one of the top stores in its division, for Texas and Louisiana, Huddleston said. It expanded about four years ago, having only been open a year or two.
In markets newer than Buffalo Speedway, Kroger’s suburban and Marketplace locations are 100,000 square feet or more, he said.
Behind the up-sizing are the company’s determination to stock variety and promote one-stop shopping, something of particular interest in a climate that makes getting in and out of a car between stores an exercise in sauna endurance.
The remodeling at Kroger Buffalo Speedway has been shifting inventory, changing department footprints and sprucing up the overall look, Huddleston said.
Company stores might get an update every five or seven years, he said, and successful stores, more often.
In this case, H-E-B’s impending arrival was also a factor.
“We’re watching H-E-B, but we’re focused on our store,” he said.
The transformation has tweaked the department ratios.
Look for more natural and organic foods, for example, and more space devoted to prepared food, floral, pharmacy and cosmetics. The coffee shop is moving upstairs and adding wireless capability and seating. There’ll be a bistro, a chef shop and a chocolate dipping station.
One area to take a hit was the video rental department, which will shift from rentals to sales. And the space it once occupied will be for gift items.
During construction, some residents in the Village of West University apartments behind the Kroger property have not been happy about the noise. Huddleston said the company responded to complaints by moving the noisier aspects of the project to the front parking lot.
“The noise situation has improved,” he said, but it won’t be totally solved until we’re complete. Maybe another month.”
Apartment manager Lindsey Arguta said the situation “has gotten better. It’s just one of those things,” she said. “It’s a tough situation.”
That’s Kroger’s location at 5150 Buffalo Speedway, currently winding up its remodeling. Given the temporary wooden fortifications of its entrance, the store looks like its literally preparing for battle in the grocery war ahead with H-E-B across the street.
Kroger expects to wrap up its re-do by August — which is when H-E-B projects completion.
Of these side-by-side emporiums of food and more, Gary Huddleston, Kroger’s director of consumer affairs, said: “The customer wins with that.”
In Kroger’s case, the company believes its total package of variety and service will continue to attract its customer base, those both loyal and curious about changes within its store, he said.
“We’re putting our best foot forward,” he said.
At 86,000-square feet, this Kroger is one of the top stores in its division, for Texas and Louisiana, Huddleston said. It expanded about four years ago, having only been open a year or two.
In markets newer than Buffalo Speedway, Kroger’s suburban and Marketplace locations are 100,000 square feet or more, he said.
Behind the up-sizing are the company’s determination to stock variety and promote one-stop shopping, something of particular interest in a climate that makes getting in and out of a car between stores an exercise in sauna endurance.
The remodeling at Kroger Buffalo Speedway has been shifting inventory, changing department footprints and sprucing up the overall look, Huddleston said.
Company stores might get an update every five or seven years, he said, and successful stores, more often.
In this case, H-E-B’s impending arrival was also a factor.
“We’re watching H-E-B, but we’re focused on our store,” he said.
The transformation has tweaked the department ratios.
Look for more natural and organic foods, for example, and more space devoted to prepared food, floral, pharmacy and cosmetics. The coffee shop is moving upstairs and adding wireless capability and seating. There’ll be a bistro, a chef shop and a chocolate dipping station.
One area to take a hit was the video rental department, which will shift from rentals to sales. And the space it once occupied will be for gift items.
Noisy neighbor
During construction, some residents in the Village of West University apartments behind the Kroger property have not been happy about the noise. Huddleston said the company responded to complaints by moving the noisier aspects of the project to the front parking lot.
“The noise situation has improved,” he said, but it won’t be totally solved until we’re complete. Maybe another month.”
Apartment manager Lindsey Arguta said the situation “has gotten better. It’s just one of those things,” she said. “It’s a tough situation.”
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