Back in March, RetailWire polled readers on whether Publix was likely to be successful by combating Walmart's price comparison ads with its own "Walmart doesn't always have the lowest price" campaign. I have to admit being surprised that 90 percent of respondents thought Publix would have some success taking the price fight directly to its much larger rival.
Among the points made by Publix was that its famous buy one, get one free (BOGO) offers were a means to greater savings. It now seems that Walmart heard Publix, because it is offering to match BOGOs from food and drug competitors.
"We're always looking for and testing new products and services to meet customers' needs," Walmart spokesperson Molly Philhours told The Ledger. "Customers told us they want us to match BOGO offers from other retailers. So that's what we're doing."
"We will continue to offer quality products at a competitive price and differentiate ourselves by delivering premier customer service,' Publix spokesperson Brian West told the Tampa Bay Times. "Our customers know that Walmart doesn't always have the lowest price.'