Talk about a difference of night and day. SpartanNash is transforming six stores — four No Frills and two Bag 'N Save formats — into its Family Fare format, which includes dedicated organic food sections, panini and sushi bars, craft beer selections and Starbucks kiosks, according to the Omaha World-Herald.
The expansion of the Family Fare concept is not new to SpartanNash. Last November, the company announced it was converting six former SunMart Foods and Econofood locations in North Dakota to the Family Fare banner. It acquired the stores as a result of the merger between Spartan Stores and Nash Finch in 2013.
At the time the North Dakota conversions were announced, Meredith Gremel, vice president, corporate affairs and communications for SpartanNash, told MLive that consumers responded positively to Family Fare because of its product selection, focus on freshness and low prices.
In Omaha, SpartanNash is responding to competitive pressures from existing players such as Bakers and Hy-Vee as well as newer entrants such as Natural Grocers and Walmart's Neighborhood Market.
Photo: SpartanNash
Mark Griffin, vice president for SpartanNash's Omaha business, described Family Fare as a "friendly, service-oriented neighborhood grocery" to the World-Herald.
While the center store is somewhat reduced in the Family Fare format to make space for more fresh offerings, value and price are also a component of its marketing. SpartanNash offers a "Savings Zone" aisle, 10 for $10 deals and price freezes on staples.