Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Supermarket Competition: Hannaford and Shaw's Vs. Whole Foods

The popularity of Whole Foods is starting to make grocery stores like Hannaford and Shaw's sweat a little. In an attempt to compete with Whole Foods, both markets will be adding to their organic departments.

"Hannaford Bros., for instance, recently sought and received certification as an organic retailer from Quality Assurance International, an independent agency that oversees a program that ensures that stores meet organic guidelines. Hannaford is the first traditional supermarket chain to gain certification, and it now offers more than 3,500 natural or organic products, about 10 percent of the store's products. Most of the products are distributed among conventional brands rather than relegated to a separate aisle.

New and remodeled Shaw's stores will have more room devoted to that chain's Wild Harvest line of natural and organics, part of the chain's effort to present itself as the place for "premium fresh and healthy" food."


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