Private label push, trade-down are on major stores' forefront

摘要

Three major grocer-retail chains reported continued product "trade down" including to private labels as well as conservative shoppers, while they still forge ahead with new store and format plans. Walmart, the largest grocery and retail chain in the world with about 3,800 US stores and more than $419 billion/yr in revenue, plans to open 130 to 135 Supercent-ers and 10-15 new or expanded Sam's Club stores within the next year. The company also will continue testing a small version Express neighborhood store that could ultimately compete with the burgeoning dollar store chains, which seem to have mainly thrived through the recession, contacts said.