What Killed The Bayville Super Foodtown?
A variety of factors, says supermarket analyst
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It's 8:30 p.m. on Monday night. There are just four employees inside the soon-to-close Bayville Super Foodtown — one cashier, a man at the deli counter, a teen who picks up carts and the store manager.
The Bayville Foodtown, once the premier supermarket in Bayville, has been slowly dying for several years.
Now it is in its death throes. The bakery is closed. The fish section is empty. The little bit of produce and products left in the store are bunched up toward the front. The aisles are filled with row after row of empty metal shelves.
Seventy-five people, most of them local, once worked here. Now there are only a handful. And their former co-workers are filing for unemployment, looking for other jobs that are already hard to find in this retail-poor town.
What killed this bright, clean store with friendly employees? The ShopRite in Berkeley Plaza didn't help much. But what really killed the Bayville Foodtown were the prices. Everything seemed to be priced at least a dollar more than what you would pay for the same item in ShopRite or the Super Walmart a few miles down the road in Lacey Township.
And that's part of the problem, said Matthew Casey, of Clark-based Matthew P. Casey and Associates. His consulting firm specializes in site evaluations, feasibility and demographic studies for supermarkets.
"If you can get a can of Progresso Soup for $1.50, you're an idiot if you pay $2.99," Casey said in a cell phone interview from Oregon, where he was evaluating another site.
So it's no surprise that many shoppers opt for the cheaper prices at ShopRite or Walmart, Casey said.
'"Especially when you have a lot of seniors on fixed incomes," he said. "That extra dollar and a half means a lot to these people. A can of Del Monte green beans is the same, no matter what store you buy it in. The only diffference is the price."
Lou Scaduto Jr., president of Food Circus Super Markets, the parent company of the Bayville store, has said the decision to shutter the store was simply an economic one, reflecting ongoing struggles of that store.
"It's unfortunate," Scaduto said. "We've been there for more than 20 years. But when you have a location that's struggling, you have to do what is best for the health of the company."
Foodtown's departure in Bayville leaves the ShopRite in the Berkeley Plaza in an enviable position, Casey said.
"Right now in New Jersey, ShopRite is living large," Casey said. "ShopRite is just sitting back. "Where do you think the people in Bayville are going to shop now?"
And unlike Scaduto, Casey doesn't think too many Berkeley residents will flock to the Toms River Foodtown after the Bayville store shuts its doors on Feb. 25.
"They may go to cherry pick the specials," Casey said. "Some of them may still do that."
The Bayville Foodtown, built 20 years ago, was outdated and lacked the amenities like the Bayville ShopRite has. That sometimes leads customers to equate an outdated story with a dirty store, which the Bayville Foodtown was not, he said.
"They just didn't put the time or the attention into the store," Casey said.
The sour economy also played a part in Foodtown's demise and the closing of other supermarkets throughout the United States, he said.
"The economy sucks, in plain English," Casey said. "It's not the fault of any tenants. Some tenants are just closing up."
Casey said he wasn't familar with the rents that Wick Companies — the owners of Baywick Plaza — charge. But owners of shopping centers usually fall into one of two categories.
If stores are not doing well, some owners will lower the rent and offer the stores concessions, just to keep them in a shopping center, he said.
Others will simply raise the rent on the other stores and let the troubled stores go, Casey said.
Few in town seem to know what might possibly replace Foodtown. There have been rumors that a Stop & Shop or Target might be coming in.
"They've been saying that for years," the lone cashier in Foodtown said theother night.
What do you think killed Foodtown? Tell us in the comments section.
john
6:15 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
i think all of the above poll choices in addition the bad economy, perhaps a bad choice by the building s owner not to work with foodtown.......unless they have something big coming , which i doubt as that store is in visible from the street.
the consultant is right, can of soup for 1.50 or 2.99.....but to me wallmarts meat s and cold cuts suck, cheap or not, i wont eat it if i dont like it......
Nicole
12:25 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I agree - Walmarts meat is awful. I will say they are much more cost effective for dairy and anything like side dishes...Stove Top or pre-packaged stuff like that. Also, a lot of their frozen stuff is cheaper too...veggies and such. But, I usually just go to Shop Rite.
skizma
6:51 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Foodtown outshined Shop Rite as far as atmosphere any day. It's prices were too high. That's what grocery shoppers look for. Prices. Nothing more. Folks will pay more, but it must be better. Loved the FoodTown. I believe it's part of a bigger picture.
Gene Henderson
6:54 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The store could not carry enough items and then they took away space to put in the beer, wine, etc. I went in there before Christmas for five items and could get only 3. I was forced to go to Shop Rite. Then whay go to Foodtown at all? Poor management killed this Foodtown.
Mike Daly
9:31 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I agree with the comment regarding poor management. To me that comment and thought probably encompasses all factors such as unrealistic pricing, the inadequate stocking, the poor use of available floor space, etc., etc..
I am sorry in this bad economy some of my neighbors are out of work and hope they quickly find something comparable. I genuinely do not want to see that. But the blame is squarely on Foodtown management, not the community.
I clearly remember Foodtown jacked their prices up years ago when the AP closed (A&P was formerly at the current Shop-Rite location) and once AP closed Foodtown was the only game in town until the new Shop-Rite opened. That price increase left a bad taste in my mouth for Foodtown and frankly I don't think I've set foot in Foodtown in 10 years. We shopped at Shop-Rite in Lacey until the Bayville Shop-Rite opened and we now typically shop at Shop-Rite, Wal-Mart, and Costco for most food items. On occasion I drive up to Delicious Orchards and Wegman's .
Yes cost is important, especially in the current economy. But all things being equal between specific brands and quality, I suspect even a few cents difference between Shop-Rite and Foodtown probably would not have chased so many loyal shoppers away.
Judy Sobko
10:14 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I shop at Wegmans in Ocean, when I visit my family in Monmouth County. It costs me time, gasoline and twice as much money, but the groceries are of the highest quality. People will pay for high quality. Look at the German Butcher in Lacey. They have made a FORTUNE over the years and the last thing they are is affordable! They offer the highest quality at high prices and their business is jam packed every day. The same with Ahearn's Fish Market in Waretown. Highest quality product at higher prices. People will always pay for quality. Shop Rite gets a B- for quality, and both Foodtown and Walmart get a D, nothing there is top-notch, fresh or appealing. This Foodtown was low quality at high prices and now it's gone. Walmart is cheap-cheap-cheap, so they will always have their market share. If Wegmans moved in, they would flourish, simply based upon the high quality of their goods, presentation and services. It's a shame, but we can't draw any quality businesses into our area. No Starbucks, no Panera Bakery, no Cheesecake Factory even. Our theaters aren't playing "The Iron Lady" OR "The Artist." It's a shame that most companies believe we're just a bunch of poor bumpkins who don't deserve or can't afford anything of quality. Sorry Foodtown, but you did have your time, you are the reason that the A&P folded and it's time for you to be replaced. I hope your employees find employment soon. I know that Auto Zone in Lacey is hiring right now- good luck, folks!
Larry
10:30 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
This is a no brainer! Can't believe Mr. Casey get gets paid for this type of evaluation. People go where it is newer and cheaper - period. The Bayville IGA died to leave the A& P in charge in the '60's. The A&P gave way to Foodtown and now the Shop Rite rules. Ain't complicated. New, clean and bright + good prices = customer traffic.
RedonRed
12:21 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Very well said Judy.
@Larry... I think you made a rash judgement. I think once the novety wore off of a new store in town people would go back to their favorite store. Its unfortunate that Foodtown Out-priced themselves right out of business.... For crying out loud, the month before they are going out you think they would lower their prices just to get rid of the existing sock? No... they rather move it to the TR store? Where is the logic ? Good prices and good customer service is what keeps a business going. Look how dirty RexGenes was... but yet they were there a long time bc their prices were great !
You just can't compete with low prices, in this economy.
Steve Dickinson
4:48 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Long before Foodtown or Shop-Rite came to Bayville we would shop A&P or go to Toms River,Can't go to A&P no more but still can go to Toms River!But seriously I couldn't be bothered to shop this Foodtown since they never had the specials or you had to purchase so much in order to get the special.So good luck "cherry picking" in Toms River :-)
Sharon
7:37 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Its a shame to know the foodtown is closing. I am a regular shoprite customer not only because of their great prices but because they support the community. My children were involved in a lot of activities and the Perlmutter Family was always there helping with a donation. Actually they are still always there to help. The new owners not so. They aren't from ocean county and don't seem to want to support any groups here. Its a shame they focus their priorities in monmouth county when there are needs here too. I guess they just don't get it. I won't support them. I will continue to shop at the Bayville ShopRite.
Miche
8:17 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Foodtown could not compete with Shoprites prices. But as far as quality goes, Foodtown has way better meats and deli items. I live in Lacey and have noticed myself that Shoprites meats have become worse in the last couple of months. Thank god for the German Butcher & Fusciello's Italian or I would become a vegetarian. I also think that Walmart has taken alot of SRite & Foodtowns business as their prices are much lower on certain items i.e. Cereal, canned, pet food etc...
Hearme
6:52 am on Thursday, February 2, 2012
I shopped at A&P then Foodtown came in and had better prices and more verity etc. Then A&P closed and Foodtown jacked up prices and the verity went down and service was bad. Then Shop Rite came in and the cycle started again. You know that if there is less competition then they don't have an incentive to have better pricing, good service etc... The only hope is that Walmart puts enough pressure on Shop rite that they don't get greedy and do what Foodtown did. I will say I have never been all that impressed with any of the local supermarkets. I have shopped in several other states with family members and they put our stores to shame. They all offer triple coupons and compete to the death in pricing and customer service as well as cleanliness and even safety.It always makes it hard to come back here and shop. I swear I pay about $1.99 for a gallon of milk every time I have shopped in the past three years in 2 other states and we pay almost $5 here. It makes me sick. If I told the prices on produce you would sell your houses and move. I would cut my grocery bill by at least 1/3 if I moved. It is tempting........
Dennis Smith
6:17 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Sign of the times. Burger king is gone many will follow. Foodtown just the first.
robert j. casagrand
6:48 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
low prices are nice, but you have to be a good shopper and watch your prices everywhere, I guess when foodtown is gone shop rite and walmart will jack up there prices, competition is good to keep everyone on the level. what's going to happen with the buy rite?
Hearme
9:16 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
That burger king was so bad. They should have closed years ago. Not that Burger King could be great. But they always screwed up orders and over charged.The people that worked there were rude and some were even creepy. I wont get into why I said that here, just understand that I wouldn't let my kids go there alone until they were adults.They even over charged on tax and when brought to the management attention they actually said they had no intention on fixing it. I for one are not sad to see that go. I do feel bad for the few good workers and the few good workers at Foodtown that now have no job.These are tough times to be looking for a job.