The world of retail may be in a constant state of flux, but this doesn’t have to mean bad things for the customer.
In fact, ever since covid became something of a grim reaper for legacy stores and retailers, the consolidation has mostly been good for everyday shoppers.
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Sure, it may be harder to find more niche stores, like Joann Fabrics, Party City, and David’s Briodal. (In many cases, you can still find these stores, you probably just have to drive a bit farther as they aren’t in every plaza.)
Largely, however, a consolidation of retailers has led to more convenience on all fronts. The rise on online shopping has expedited the fulfillment process, making for a smoother e-commerce experience and faster shipping times.
Gone are the days when you must wait a week — sometimes even two — to receive your ordered goods. Now thanks to logistical giants like Walmart (WMT) and Amazon (AMZN) , if you place an order today, chances are it shows up at your door by tomorrow.
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New retail world is good for customers
The new, post 2020 world of retail is also a positive change for shoppers because companies try to keep prices at the top of mind.
Thanks to high inflation, shoppers tend to be particularly resistant to any sort of price change. Splurges and impulse buys are more rare nowadays, and price gouging is harder to get away with.
This means that in order to get customers through your door, retailers must take extra care to set prices as low as possible without cutting into their profits. And perhaps nobody does this better than Walmart.
Walmart introduces new brand
As the largest grocery store in the United States, Walmart has always been looked to as one of the best places to find quality, name-brand foods at cheap prices.
Earlier in 2024, Walmart restored its food prices back to pre-inflationary levels.
And on April 30, the retail giant said it would launch a new in-store, private food brand called Bettergoods.
The launch marks Walmart’s largest in-store brand food launch in 20 years, and will focus primarily on quality and trendy foods customers are seeking. Most items will retail for $5 or less.
An assortment of Walmart’s Bettergoods food selection.
Walmart
In total, Bettergoods will feature about 300 items, with prices ranging from $2 to $15. The products will focus on better ingredients, gourmet flavors, and staples for inspired recipes.
Some of the products in the new line include:
Sweet Cream Dairy Creamer (with only 4 ingredients)Carnitas, Taco and Tinga SeasoningsOatmilk Non-Dairy Frozen DessertsCreamy Corn Jalapeno ChowderBronze Cut Pasta from ItalyPistachio Nut ButterCampfire Roasted Salsa
Walmart carries over 14 brands worth over $1 billion or more, including its mainstay Great Value brand, which is the largest consumer packaged goods brand across Food & Consumables in the United States.
The full Bettergoods line will begin to hit shelves over the next several months, with some items shopable in stores and online for curbside pickup and same day delivery starting today.
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