^^^ Unfortunately I feel it is wishful thinking to even think H-E-B will ever come to OKC. They aren't even in DFW with their regular stores. It would be nice though.
They have been focusing on their Mexico venture as this significantly less competition for their type of store down there. Being a privately held company they also tend to be a bit more methodical, an engineer that I know who worked many years for them said they are "plodding along" when it comes to expansion as is their modus operandi in comparison to many other retailers. He said that he could eventually see them grow in the region (including Oklahoma) but not for a long time. Some of the family wants to, some don't want to branch outside of Texas. They bought a chain out of Beaumont that had some stores in Louisiana, they ended up selling those stores after a few years.

They have been focusing on their Mexico venture as this significantly less competition for their type of store down there. Being a privately held company they also tend to be a bit more methodical, an engineer that I know who worked many years for them said they are "plodding along" when it comes to expansion as is their modus operandi in comparison to many other retailers. He said that he could eventually see them grow in the region (including Oklahoma) but not for a long time. Some of the family wants to, some don't want to branch outside of Texas. They bought a chain out of Beaumont that had some stores in Louisiana, they ended up selling those stores after a few years.

Well if they are looking for somewhere with no competition, OKC is perfect. We have Wal-Mart and pretty much nothing else. Homeland is pretty much like Harvest Foods was when I lived in Little Rock or Bi-Lo in Charlotte. The stores were nasty, never busy, and pretty much a last resort for picking up things you forgot. I am sure a lot of OKCitians shop Wal-Mart out of reluctance and necessity, not loyalty. OKC does not have a mid-market grocer in the market like other cities do. This would be the perfect market for H-E-B. That said, wishing they would come here won't make them do so.

An REI down by the emerging river outdoor adventure district that was designed in a way similar to the one in Downtown Denver near their river would be awesome. Granted that REI is in an old converted power plant, but they could still build something similarly cool down here.

An REI down by the emerging river outdoor adventure district that was designed in a way similar to the one in Downtown Denver near their river would be awesome. Granted that REI is in an old converted power plant, but they could still build something similarly cool down here.

I imagine REI will probably end up either up on Memorial or in the Belle Isle area if they come.

We have three here in Denver, the flagship Downtown and one by Park Meadows Mall and the other in the Centennial Promenade shopping center. There is another one in Boulder, none of those three are anything like the downtown store. None in Austin are anything special, in fact the one in Round Rock (by Ikea) is larger than the downtown store.

I imagine REI will probably end up either up on Memorial or in the Belle Isle area if they come.

Not if they're smart about it. Belle isle maybe, but definitely not memorial road. Given the outdoor activity boom going on near the river, they would be missing a great opportunity by not locating it there. Especially when all of those activities cater to the products REI offers. Rock climbing, canoe, kayak, whitewater sports, road biking, mountain biking, running, etc are all activities that are focuses of REI and are currently or soon to be offered down there. The only activities not available in the area are backpacking and camping, but there really aren't many options for those activities inside the metro. Similar to the REI in DT Denver, a benefit of that area is a venue to test drive many of their products (boats/bikes). The river is the perfect location for the first REI here.

Well if they are looking for somewhere with no competition, OKC is perfect. We have Wal-Mart and pretty much nothing else.

You know, I think I'm experiencing a case of deja vu." I mean, swear I read a statement like this from someone here and tried my best to correct it, and darned if it doesn't come up again. So I guess I get to correct it. Again.

This is factually not correct.

I cite the Crest at SW 104th and May, the Homeland at SW 104th and Penn (to say nothing of the other Homelands mentioned here), the Sprout grocery at NW 63rd and Western, the SuperTarget on Memorial...I could continue, but the point is made. To keep saying "Wal-Mart and pretty much nothing else" is not consistent with the facts.

You may choose to limit your vision to WalMart, but I don't. I see numerous options. We have not made a significant grocery shopping trip to a WalMart in many moons. So we need to dispatch this "all we've got is WalMart" ethos. It simply isn't factual.

You know, I think I'm experiencing a case of deja vu." I mean, swear I read a statement like this from someone here and tried my best to correct it, and darned if it doesn't come up again. So I guess I get to correct it. Again.

This is factually not correct.

I cite the Crest at SW 104th and May, the Homeland at SW 104th and Penn (to say nothing of the other Homelands mentioned here), the Sprout grocery at NW 63rd and Western, the SuperTarget on Memorial...I could continue, but the point is made. To keep saying "Wal-Mart and pretty much nothing else" is not consistent with the facts.

You may choose to limit your vision to WalMart, but I don't. I see numerous options. We have not made a significant grocery shopping trip to a WalMart in many moons. So we need to dispatch this "all we've got is WalMart" ethos. It simply isn't factual.Visit pretty much any other city and you will find, Walmart dominates OKC.

New REI Stores (http://www.rei.com/jobs/about-new-stores.html)

Surely, if Overland Park can support an REI, OKC can as well.

It's one store I actively seek out when I travel.

I would be surprised if Ruth Chris went into Classen Curve. They rely on a lot of customer traveling on expense accounts. My experience is that they tend to locate where there is high office and hotel density, although there are certanly exception.

I would be surprised if Ruth Chris went into Classen Curve. They rely on a lot of customer traveling on expense accounts. My experience is that they tend to locate where there is high office and hotel density, although there are certanly exception.

Maybe the OPUBCO offices instead of mahogany?

Visit pretty much any other city and you will find, Walmart dominates OKC.

I have some idiot relatives who insist on shopping at Wal-Mart, even though Wal-Mart supports everything said relatives oppose. It is bizarre how programmed so many Derplahomans are when it comes to Wal-Mart. What's worse, these relatives would engage in a heated battle to ensure that everyone continues to support this corporate prostitute.

I have some idiot relatives who insist on shopping at Wal-Mart, even though Wal-Mart supports everything said relatives oppose. It is bizarre how programmed so many Derplahomans are when it comes to Wal-Mart. What's worse, these relatives would engage in a heated battle to ensure that everyone continues to support this corporate prostitute.

That's how my parents are. They always insist on going to Wal-Mart even if there are other options.

One thing many people who have only lived in OKC don't realize is the Wal-Mart saturation here is absolutely not normal. In OKC, you pretty much have to go out of your way to avoid Wal-Mart and you can count the acceptable alternatives on one hand (metro-wide). That is absolutely unbelievable and mind-numbing for a city this size. Even in Wal-Mart heavy markets, there is nowhere it is so dominating as it is in OKC. To top it all off, the Wal-Marts here are dirty, messy, and understaffed compared to stores in areas where they have competition.

I usually shop at Buy for Less on NW Expressway but I pass a Neighborhood Market and a Supercenter to get there.

I have some idiot relatives who insist on shopping at Wal-Mart, even though Wal-Mart supports everything said relatives oppose. It is bizarre how programmed so many Derplahomans are when it comes to Wal-Mart. What's worse, these relatives would engage in a heated battle to ensure that everyone continues to support this corporate prostitute.

Get them to watch 'Walmart - the high cost of low prices' if you can. Walmart doesn't just support government subsidy programs - they make it part of their compensation structure.

Get them to watch 'Walmart - the high cost of low prices' if you can. Walmart doesn't just support government subsidy programs - they make it part of their compensation structure.

Actually, i have discussed this and other things with them repeatedly. They are actually not idiots, they are nice and smart people, but they are in the Wal-Mart rut and they're not getting out any time soon. Also, they seem to think that Sam's Club is better for some reason?

Actually, i have discussed this and other things with them repeatedly. They are actually not idiots, they are nice and smart people, but they are in the Wal-Mart rut and they're not getting out any time soon. Also, they seem to think that Sam's Club is better for some reason?

That's like my family. They also think Sam's Club is different than Wal-Mart but I tell them they are the same thing.

It reminds me of the Southpark episode. "We all don't like Wal-Mart but we can't stop shopping here."

Wal-Mart really isn't that much cheaper on groceries. I think what really draws people in is its one-stop shopping.

it depends on the grocery store you are comparing it to. I've done comparisons and in many things, they are as much as 20% cheaper when measuring apples to apples. Sorry for all the Wal Mart bashers but the fact is, they ARE cheaper on most things and to people on a very thin budget, it makes a difference. If you can afford the more expensive place, by all means, shop where you want.

it depends on the grocery store you are comparing it to. I've done comparisons and in many things, they are as much as 20% cheaper when measuring apples to apples. Sorry for all the Wal Mart bashers but the fact is, they ARE cheaper on most things and to people on a very thin budget, it makes a difference. If you can afford the more expensive place, by all means, shop where you want.

Of course they are cheaper - the taxpayers are picking up half of the compensation costs. That is the whole point behind the documentary. The low prices come at a high cost. Walmart pays just low enough so that their employees qualify for federal assitance, and they make sure those employees apply for all the government benefits they can. If Walmart employees had to live just on the income provided by working at Walmart they couldn't do it.

Of course they are cheaper - the taxpayers are picking up half of the compensation costs. That is the whole point behind the documentary. Walmart pays just low enough so that their employees qualify for federal assitance, and they make sure those employees apply for all the government benefits they can. If Walmart employees had to live just on the income provided by working at Walmart they couldn't do it.

Yes, it's sad when federal assistance to your employees is part of your business plan. You're also right that it means taxpayers are basically subsidizing WalMart's payroll.

Of course they are cheaper - the taxpayers are picking up half of the compensation costs. That is the whole point behind the documentary. The low prices come at a high cost. Walmart pays just low enough so that their employees qualify for federal assitance, and they make sure those employees apply for all the government benefits they can. If Walmart employees had to live just on the income provided by working at Walmart they couldn't do it.

And by contrast, look at Costco. They pay their people a solid living wage and give them super benefits, so their employees don't have to use federal assistance. Yet, Costco offers good bargains for consumers and is a very profitable company. Hmmm. What's wrong with this picture?

And by contrast, look at Costco. They pay their people a solid living wage and give them super benefits, so their employees don't have to use federal assistance. Yet, Costco offers good bargains for consumers and is a very profitable company. Hmmm. What's wrong with this picture?

Someone linked to this once and I bookmarked it. It blows the mind to really think about this. I don't agree with much of Mother Jones, but they are always good on this wealth concentration stuff. http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/09/sam-waltons-fortune-walmart-employees-7-million-years

Someone linked to this once and I bookmarked it. It blows the mind to really think about this.

COSTCO doesn't provide anywhere remotely close to the variety of products Wal Mart does. If you can hold your product offering to, say 500 items plus special purchases, rather than 10,000 items, COSTCO CAN be more profitable. COSTCO also keeps concrete floors and often displays out of boxes, has far fewer locations and charges a membership fee for anyone to use the stores. There are major differences in the two which makes comparison pretty remote. Target and K-Mart are far better comparisons to Wal Mart

Of course they are cheaper - the taxpayers are picking up half of the compensation costs. That is the whole point behind the documentary. The low prices come at a high cost. Walmart pays just low enough so that their employees qualify for federal assitance, and they make sure those employees apply for all the government benefits they can. If Walmart employees had to live just on the income provided by working at Walmart they couldn't do it.

OK. I'm not arguing any of your points. Don't shop there if you don't like them. They are the savior to a great many people who rely on their pricing. Want a little nicer store and pay a little more, shop at Target. Wal Mart isn't going to go out of business.

I've known quite a few who work/worked for Walmart at the store and corporate levels, in the stores the base pay is as crappy as most other retail places, no retail pays high wages out of the gate. Most who move up get paid pretty well (for retail), yes others may pay better but if you move up you aren't still making "poverty level" wages. I'm sure their attitude is based on the fact they also have a ton of people who are worthless as employees so why pay them a high wage if they are only going to be around a few months as turnover is pretty high for the country's largest employer. So at best it may be a "weeding out process" to find out who is worth paying and who is worth sending along their merry way. At the corporate level Walmart pays pretty well beyond the base entry level, especially in more specialty roles.

COSTCO doesn't provide anywhere remotely close to the variety of products Wal Mart does. If you can hold your product offering to, say 500 items plus special purchases, rather than 10,000 items, COSTCO CAN be more profitable. COSTCO also keeps concrete floors and often displays out of boxes, has far fewer locations and charges a membership fee for anyone to use the stores. There are major differences in the two which makes comparison pretty remote. Target and K-Mart are far better comparisons to Wal Mart

The point is it is possible to pay your employees a living wage, offer consumer products at good prices, and still remain profitable. Wal-Mart obviously doesn't care about offering its employees a living wage, which is one of many reasons I do not support it.

The point is it is possible to pay your employees a living wage, offer consumer products at good prices, and still remain profitable. Wal-Mart obviously doesn't care about offering its employees a living wage, which is one of many reasons I do not support it.

I think it's fine if people don't want to support the stores. I don't choose to shop at Dollar Tree or Goodwill stores for various reasons. I just find it ironic that so many people disparage the company when you hear relatively few of the employees who have a problem with it. As with any large company, you will find some who are critics so don't roll out the video's from the recent unionization attempts (which seem to have failed, by the way). My experience with Wal Mart is to find employees there eager to smile and chat and seemingly happy. There are some places in the world that simply aren't meant to be the sole source of career income for workers. If Wal Mart started having trouble finding employees or if their sales truly started hurting, they would make adjustments.

I think it's fine if people don't want to support the stores. I don't choose to shop at Dollar Tree or Goodwill stores for various reasons. I just find it ironic that so many people disparage the company when you hear relatively few of the employees who have a problem with it. As with any large company, you will find some who are critics so don't roll out the video's from the recent unionization attempts (which seem to have failed, by the way). My experience with Wal Mart is to find employees there eager to smile and chat and seemingly happy. There are some places in the world that simply aren't meant to be the sole source of career income for workers. If Wal Mart started having trouble finding employees or if their sales truly started hurting, they would make adjustments.

I actually wasn't anti Wal-Mart until I moved to OKC. Their quality and customer service though is atrocious compared to Harris Teeter, Kroger, Publix, etc. When you are used to having these other options and are accustomed to that standard, heaving to shop at Wal-Mart can take some getting used to. Also, as I said OKC Wal-Marts are very understaffed and poorly stocked compared to Wal-Mart in other places where they have competition. Wal-Mart ran all the competition out of OKC and are now providing a horrible product here.

There are other options than Walmart, even in OKC. They may not be as close as Walmart but that shouldn't mean much if you are a Walmart hater, you can live without going to a Walmart business. When I lived there I rarely shopped at Walmart, since I lived by Baptist Hospital I usually shopped at Buy For Less at NW Expressway & Portland. I went to Walmart maybe once every three months but I went to Sam's much more often than Walmart.

I actually wasn't anti Wal-Mart until I moved to OKC. Their quality and customer service though is atrocious compared to Harris Teeter, Kroger, Publix, etc. When you are used to having these other options and are accustomed to that standard, heaving to shop at Wal-Mart can take some getting used to. Also, as I said OKC Wal-Marts are very understaffed and poorly stocked compared to Wal-Mart in other places where they have competition. Wal-Mart ran all the competition out of OKC and are now providing a horrible product here.

I live downtown, almost never shop at wal-mart, and never find myself that inconvenienced by it. I'm also not confronted with the disgust you are if I have to drive by one of them on the way to homeland, sprouts, sunflower market, whole foods, buy for less, Akins natural foods, target, or if I'm in Edmond, uptown grocery. We could always use more options, but its not like we are devoid of anything other than Walmart. If you don't like it, don't shop there, no one is forcing it upon you.

I live downtown, almost never shop at wal-mart, and never find myself that inconvenienced by it. I'm also not confronted with the disgust you are if I have to drive by one of them on the way to homeland, sprouts, sunflower market, whole foods, buy for less, Akins natural foods, target, or if I'm in Edmond, uptown grocery. We could always use more options, but its not like we are devoid of anything other than Walmart. If you don't like it, don't shop there, no one is forcing it upon you.

Don't forget Native Roots, Forward Foods, Kamps Meat Market, etc.

I live in Midtown and can't remember the last time I went into a Walmart for food. Heck, the only time I've been in Walmart the past 6 months was to buy some socks!

I agree that OKC's grocery scene needs some work, but to act as if its some wasteland with nothing but Wal Marts is completely inaccurate. There are quality options here, it just may not come from chains everyone is familiar with.

Don't forget Native Roots, Forward Foods, Kamps Meat Market, etc.

I live in Midtown and can't remember the last time I went into a Walmart for food. Heck, the only time I've been in Walmart the past 6 months was to buy some socks!

I agree that OKC's grocery scene needs some work, but to act as if its some wasteland with nothing but Wal Marts is completely inaccurate. There are quality options here, it just may not come from chains everyone is familiar with.

I was going to mention Native Roots, but blanked out and forgot the name. Thanks for adding it in.

I was going to mention Native Roots, but blanked out and forgot the name. Thanks for adding it in.

There's got to be something about this store's name. It's a great name when you really think about it, but for whatever reason I am always having trouble remembering its name as well.

I love the name! Like eating fresh, local food that is "native" is true to our "roots" as people.

I have been frequenting it more; their cuts of beef are second to none. I hope they can hang on; last time I was there it was actually somewhat busy.

They're about to get a big boost in population in the neighborhood. Mosaic has been started. The facade on the Maywood Apartments is in progress which should mean they're working inside.. We have 3 new neighbors moving in very soon. There are people out on the streets constantly these days. I'm hoping they'll be fine.

I actually wasn't anti Wal-Mart until I moved to OKC. Their quality and customer service though is atrocious compared to Harris Teeter, Kroger, Publix, etc. When you are used to having these other options and are accustomed to that standard, heaving to shop at Wal-Mart can take some getting used to. Also, as I said OKC Wal-Marts are very understaffed and poorly stocked compared to Wal-Mart in other places where they have competition. Wal-Mart ran all the competition out of OKC and are now providing a horrible product here.

bchris,

I tried to do this with a degree of humor before, but now it's just getting tiring. I guess you continue to repeat the same wrong information because there's a hope it will either a) become true because of the unyielding repetition, or b) people will believe it in spite of its factual inaccuracy merely because of the unyielding repetition. Hopefully it's not because you're just trolling.

So let's try it again.

WAL MART DOES NOT HAVE A MONOPOLY ON OKLAHOMA CITY GROCERY.

Stop saying they do. It's wrong. No matter how many times you say it, IT ISN'T TRUE.

If you don't like WalMart, hey, I'm all there with you. I don't particularly care for them myself.

And that's why I don't buy my groceries there, BECAUSE I HAVE ALTERNATIVES.

Most of the time, I go to Crest. Sometimes, albeit rarely, I go to Homeland. Sometimes, I go to one of the several Aldi's in town. I also will visit the SuperTarget that is just a few minutes away from my home. All these options you blithely pretend don't exist because you say "WalMart has no competition."

If you're not willing to explore these actual, real alternatives, it isn't WalMart's fault.

OKC has about the same number of grocery stores if not more than it did before Walmart entered the grocery business when it first started building supercenters.

bchris,

I tried to do this with a degree of humor before, but now it's just getting tiring. I guess you continue to repeat the same wrong information because there's a hope it will either a) become true because of the unyielding repetition, or b) people will believe it in spite of its factual inaccuracy merely because of the unyielding repetition. Hopefully it's not because you're just trolling.

So let's try it again.

WAL MART DOES NOT HAVE A MONOPOLY ON OKLAHOMA CITY GROCERY.

Stop saying they do. It's wrong. No matter how many times you say it, IT ISN'T TRUE.

If you don't like WalMart, hey, I'm all there with you. I don't particularly care for them myself.

And that's why I don't buy my groceries there, BECAUSE I HAVE ALTERNATIVES.

Most of the time, I go to Crest. Sometimes, albeit rarely, I go to Homeland. Sometimes, I go to one of the several Aldi's in town. I also will visit the SuperTarget that is just a few minutes away from my home. All these options you blithely pretend don't exist because you say "WalMart has no competition."

If you're not willing to explore these actual, real alternatives, it isn't WalMart's fault.

You are correct. But OKC has a greater number of Wal-Mart supercenters than virtually any other market. It is true their presence has scared away a lot of competing grocers. It took a Chesapeake subsidy to get Whole Foods here (and one would argue that Sunflower / Sprouts came in because Whole Foods was on the way).

So while not a monopoly, Wal-Mart's grocery presence here has certainly been outsized, and undoubtedly affected the quality of competition we would have seen here. Perhaps bchris didn't make this point as clearly, but having lived elsewhere he notes that the reason our grocery selection is below that of peer cities isn't because we suck, or lack taste, but mainly due to Wal-Mart's market share.

bchris,

I tried to do this with a degree of humor before, but now it's just getting tiring. I guess you continue to repeat the same wrong information because there's a hope it will either a) become true because of the unyielding repetition, or b) people will believe it in spite of its factual inaccuracy merely because of the unyielding repetition. Hopefully it's not because you're just trolling.

So let's try it again.

WAL MART DOES NOT HAVE A MONOPOLY ON OKLAHOMA CITY GROCERY.

Stop saying they do. It's wrong. No matter how many times you say it, IT ISN'T TRUE.

If you don't like WalMart, hey, I'm all there with you. I don't particularly care for them myself.

And that's why I don't buy my groceries there, BECAUSE I HAVE ALTERNATIVES.

Most of the time, I go to Crest. Sometimes, albeit rarely, I go to Homeland. Sometimes, I go to one of the several Aldi's in town. I also will visit the SuperTarget that is just a few minutes away from my home. All these options you blithely pretend don't exist because you say "WalMart has no competition."

If you're not willing to explore these actual, real alternatives, it isn't WalMart's fault.

I've had bad luck with getting expired or nearly expired goods at both Crest on N MacArthur and Homeland. Usually I try to stick to Buy for Less on NW Expressway or Sprouts. They are usually pretty good quality stuff. I like Uptown Grocery but its a little far from me to be a real option.

You are correct. But OKC has a greater number of Wal-Mart supercenters than virtually any other market. It is true their presence has scared away a lot of competing grocers. It took a Chesapeake subsidy to get Whole Foods here (and one would argue that Sunflower / Sprouts came in because Whole Foods was on the way).

So while not a monopoly, Wal-Mart's grocery presence here has certainly been outsized, and undoubtedly affected the quality of competition we would have seen here. Perhaps bchris didn't make this point as clearly, but having lived elsewhere he notes that the reason our grocery selection is below that of peer cities isn't because we suck, or lack taste, but mainly due to Wal-Mart's market share.

This.

For at least the past 60 years. OKC's grocery marketing situation has been an ogliarchy, not a monopoly. It's always had a limited number of major players, and most of the nationwide big chains so prominent elsewhere have avoided competing here.

In the 40s and 50s, the Goldman family was one of the biggest players. Its patriarch invented the shopping cart itself, and their Humpty Dumpty stores could be found all over the city. Their biggest competition was Safeway. However, A&P, Piggly Wiggly, and their national competitors were nowhere to be found -- or at least had so little impact that I can't remember them being here.

We did have dozens of tiny "mom and pop" groceries all over town, serving their neighborhoods with very little variety on their shelves. We also had smaller players that did manage to have supermarkets, such as the Hagees and Pratts, and major grocery distributors helped establish what appeared to be chains but were actually independents, such as IGA and Redbud.

Winn-Dixie tried to establish a presence; Grider had better success. However we've never had more than a handful of major players here, and most of them have been locally based and unknown elsewhere.

WalMart gets the blame for the loss of all those little neighborhood outlets, but I suspect that the real reason they vanished was simply the increased mobility of the population. Why walk two blocks to a place with only one or two brands of bread and no freezers, when you could drive across town to a Buchanan, Humpty, or Safeway and choose from a much bigger range? WalMart did, indeed, drive out the smaller supermarkets -- but it was greatly aided by simple aging of the people who ran them. As they retired, nobody replaced them at the helms of their enterprises.

Today, we have Buy For Less, Crest, and Homeland, in addition to the Waltons' empire, as the Big Boys together with a dozen or more smaller outlets. We have 7-11 and Circle K taking the places of those neighborhood outlets. The more things change, the more they remain the same...

So while not a monopoly, Wal-Mart's grocery presence here has certainly been outsized, and undoubtedly affected the quality of competition we would have seen here.

Now that's a reasonable (not to mention accurate) way to characterize it.

No problem with the discussion about quality or quantity of retailers. I just want to encourage the discussion to pivot on facts, that's all.

The only thing I'd add is that Oklahoma City's market was arguably underserved before WalMart showed up. There was a period in the 90's or thereabouts where a great many of the locally owned grocers, such as Buchanan's, Pratt's, some of the IGA stores, started struggling before WM showed up. Homeland, nee Safeway, bounced around for a time, Albertsons (nee Skaggs) was around for a while, but others came in and failed, such as Food Lion. I recall reading a business/news article about the grocery issue in OK, back when there were first rumblings of WM coming in, and the story focused on the fact that there were more than a few studies out there that indicated the OKC area could support several other grocers, and thus one could argue that WM came in and filled that void, at least to a degree.

I've had bad luck with getting expired or nearly expired goods at both Crest on N MacArthur and Homeland. Usually I try to stick to Buy for Less on NW Expressway or Sprouts. They are usually pretty good quality stuff. I like Uptown Grocery but its a little far from me to be a real option.My experience has been exactly the opposite. A couple of weeks ago I went to WalMart to replace a 30-year-old toaster and, while there, picked up a few groceries including a cello-pack of two tomatoes. When I went to use the second, it was rotten and black on the underside. No more Walmart groceries for me -- escept for two brands of goodies I've not found elsewhere: Lance's Nekot sandwich cookies and Grapette soda.

And the last batch of moldy bread I got came from the now-defunct Buy For Less at NW Hiway and Council Road.

As for expired or nearly-expired goods, the last time I saw them on sale was at the short-lived Williams store, now a Homeland, at NW 122 and Rockwell. It was an entire display of Miracle Whip at an amazingly low price, but only a month short of its use-by (not sell-by) date. There was a reason those folk went back to Tulsa, and it wasn't competition from WalMart!

Incidentally, where is the Crest on N MacArthur? I use the one at Hefner and Rockwell, and have been in the one at NW 23 and Meridian and the original up in Edmond (which rivals any Kroger's or Ralph's I've visited in other cities), but haven't heard of one on MacArthur...

^^^ Actually I meant Crest on N Rockwell.

You could pretty much say that HEB has a "monopoly" on the Austin and San Antonio (their home) markets because they dwarf the other stores there which is Randall's (Safeway) and Fiesta which I believe has only three stores in the Austin metro area. There are probably more HEB stores in Austin than all other grocers combined, so one company dominating the market is not that uncommon. It seems like there are many more King Soupers (Kroger) up here in Denver than Safeway or Albertson's. Even though Whole Foods is based there they only had two stores until they recently started opening up smaller locations. There are a few Sprouts around and that is pretty much it, Albertson's left the market completely in 2009. When I moved in 2011 there were no WMNM as of that time.

I saw a tractor trailer with HEB advertising on the entire trailer going north on 235 last week. Talk about giving false hope........

You could pretty much say that HEB has a "monopoly" on the Austin and San Antonio (their home) markets because they dwarf the other stores there which is Randall's (Safeway) and Fiesta which I believe has only three stores in the Austin metro area. There are probably more HEB stores in Austin than all other grocers combined, so one company dominating the market is not that uncommon. It seems like there are many more King Soupers (Kroger) up here in Denver than Safeway or Albertson's. Even though Whole Foods is based there they only had two stores until they recently started opening up smaller locations. There are a few Sprouts around and that is pretty much it, Albertson's left the market completely in 2009. When I moved in 2011 there were no WMNM as of that time.

Don't forget Austin also has Central Market -- perhaps you meant this as part of your HEB comments.

Don't forget Austin also has Central Market -- perhaps you meant this as part of your HEB comments.
Yes it was included in HEB, but there are only two Central Markets in Austin. There are only 9 Central Market stores (DFW-5, Austin-2, San Antonio-1, Houston-1). There are 48-50 HEB or HEB Plus stores in the Central Texas (Austin) market depending upon how far out that is considered the Austin metro area. There are 14 Randall's stores in Austin.

Yes it was included in HEB, but there are only two Central Markets in Austin. There are only 9 Central Market stores (DFW-5, Austin-2, San Antonio-1, Houston-1). There are 48-50 HEB or HEB Plus stores in the Central Texas (Austin) market depending upon how far out that is considered the Austin metro area. There are 14 Randall's stores in Austin.

Wow, I would take any of those options over Homeland / Buy for Less.

Wow, I would take any of those options over Homeland / Buy for Less.
There is still one dominant grocer in the Austin area which was the point of bchris02 statement prior about Walmart dominating the OKC market, I was just trying to illustrate that it is not uncommon for one grocer to dominate a market, in fact it is probably the norm. Granted, HEB is a significant upgrade over Walmart, Safeway/Randall's is very hit and miss, just like the Homeland stores that replaced them in OKC. The chain that replaced Safeway in Austin at the same time (Apple Tree) is no longer around. I thought Tom Thumb in Dallas was better than Houston based Randall's that bought them and eventually sold out to Safeway. I probably haven't been in a Safeway but once or twice in a year because King Soupers is cheaper and better and there are more of them. I wish we had HEB up here and I know my father liked HEB whenever he visited, he mostly shops at the 23rd & Meridian Crest store.

There is still one dominant grocer in the Austin area which was the point of bchris02 statement prior about Walmart dominating the OKC market, I was just trying to illustrate that it is not uncommon for one grocer to dominate a market, in fact it is probably the norm. Granted, HEB is a significant upgrade over Walmart, Safeway/Randall's is very hit and miss, just like the Homeland stores that replaced them in OKC. The chain that replaced Safeway in Austin at the same time (Apple Tree) is no longer around. I thought Tom Thumb in Dallas was better than Houston based Randall's that bought them and eventually sold out to Safeway. I probably haven't been in a Safeway but once or twice in a year because King Soupers is cheaper and better and there are more of them. I wish we had HEB up here and I know my father liked HEB whenever he visited, he mostly shops at the 23rd & Meridian Crest store.

You would probably agree that Wal-Mart is not really a "grocer" in any conventional sense. The stores you mention above are. Wal-Mart is a "grocer" in the same way as Best Buy is a music store. Having a real grocer: HEB, Tom Thumb, Randall's, anything would be an improvement.

I too shop at that 23rd Meridian Crest. They have decided their market is almost exclusively food-stamp patrons, so their product mix fits that definition.

A Neighborhood Market is more of a traditional grocery store than the super centers, not great but better than the super centers where I usually get to one end of the store and remember something that I wanted to pick up and don't since it is a half mile back over to where I have already been, I think they are just too big. I went to a WMNM on Saturday (next to the cleaners we use) but usually that is to get some products that King Soupers doesn't carry like Topo Chico water which we bought by the case at Sam's or Spec's in Austin.

As far as Crest, we stop there for specific items that we can't find up here (or when we were in Austin) before we head out of town and I haven't noticed it too bad but then we aren't doing general shopping there. Most of that clientele is within walking distance from the many older complexes that are close by. My parents still talk about moving out of the area but they have talked about it for 30 years.

If you go to Walmart's website and use the store finder, there really isn't much difference between the Tulsa and Oklahoma City area.

One reason i think Walmart is so prevalent here than many places... We boarder Arkansas, most states that boarder Arkansas have more walmarts per capita than those that are further away. It has been in the state longer than most others and therefore has had longer to expand here. Also, Sam Walton is from Oklahoma originally, not as much of a factor, but still, that's something.

If you go to Walmart's website and use the store finder, there really isn't much difference between the Tulsa and Oklahoma City area.

Wal-Mart has only 46% of the grocery market share in Tulsa. While that is still much higher than most urban areas, its meager compared to over 60% in OKC. While Tulsa may have as many Wal-Marts per capita as OKC does, they likely aren't as high volume in the grocery department.

In Memphis for example, Wal-Mart only has 24% of the grocery market share.

One reason i think Walmart is so prevalent here than many places... We boarder Arkansas, most states that boarder Arkansas have more walmarts per capita than those that are further away. It has been in the state longer than most others and therefore has had longer to expand here. Also, Sam Walton is from Oklahoma originally, not as much of a factor, but still, that's something.

Little Rock is IN Arkansas, and Wal-Mart takes a back seat there to Kroger and Save-A-Lot. NW Arkansas has Wal-Mart domination comparable to OKC in scale, but even they have a quality competitior - Harp's. If even they would expand into OKC it would be a HUGE improvement. They have recently expanded into Tulsa as well.

https://sphotos-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/941153_553860537986442_1024311925_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/555120_517610741611422_770869373_n.jpg

Wal-Mart has only 46% of the grocery market share in Tulsa. While that is still much higher than most urban areas, its meager compared to over 60% in OKC. While Tulsa may have as many Wal-Marts per capita as OKC does, they likely aren't as high volume in the grocery department.

In Memphis for example, Wal-Mart only has 24% of the grocery market share.

I don't know where you get your figures but, if that's true, it does nothing to prove that Walmart pushed out other grocers in OKC.

Per capita, Arkansas has more walmarts than any state in the us. OK rings in at number 5.

So is this thread still about a big retailer eyeing OKC & Tulsa or is it a debate about Walmart and the quality of grocery stores in Oklahoma?

GET BACK ON TOPIC PEOPLE!!!

So is this thread still about a big retailer eyeing OKC & Tulsa or is it a debate about Walmart and the quality of grocery stores in Oklahoma?

GET BACK ON TOPIC PEOPLE!!!

Actually talking about Walmart and the idea that it might keep other grocers out of OKC is on topic.

It's just this simple. If you like the current selection of retail outlets in OKC - keep defending Walmart. If you want a better selection of retail options find a way to limit Walmart's market share.

Two things we know for sure, 1) Walmart uses state and federal social programs as part of their employee compensation package and 2) to lure other retailers the local governments have to offer incentives (and hell, half the time they offer those direct incentives to Walmart - see Choctaw).

You can't simultaneously complain that the Obama recovery is nothing but part-time low paying jobs AND defend Walmart. Well you can, but you look stupid doing it.