I don't have a good comparison picture, but this area is another that was significantly rearranged compared to before the remodel -- the area where the self-service meat case is was formerly home to the normally-arranged wine aisles, which were replaced with the sideways ones seen in the last picture, while the meat selection itself was along the wall in the distance. This new layout seems to make a lot more sense.
It is a bit strange to see a 'cavern of meat' like this with the meat on the non-wall side of the back actionway! This actually has a bit of an Albertsons vibe to it. Actually, HEB does some things like this, but often at the side of the store rather than at the back. I'm not sure if I like this. The meat coolers usually attract a crowd and there is some potential for congestion along here because of that. Most grocers separate the meat traffic from the rest of the back actionway traffic with coffin coolers. Granted, this back actionway looks wide enough that I don't think there should be too many problems.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, this is quite reminiscent of early Blue and Grey Market Albertsons with the sideways aisles on one side of the store! I have seen some other recently-remodeled Fred Meyers with a similar layout too, since the liquor department is normally in this location and normally fully walled off and/or includes sideways aisles like this store. At least this layout means the meat department is all in the same place, unlike before the remodel!
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