Published: January 13, 2009 11:41 pm            

Food World lowering meat prices to lure customers

Beginning today, Food World has announced plans to lower prices on nearly all of the store’s meat products indefinitely. The Cullman location is one of two Alabama stores spearheading the change, with other Food World locations likely to follow suit in the coming weeks.

“When we looked at what was important to our customers, we could see that purchases from the meat department ranked really high,” said Ray England, senior vice president, marketing and perishable merchandising with Food World. “With that information in hand we determined lowering meat prices across the board was a great way to offer value and match customers’ needs at the same time.”

North Cullman resident Brenda Merritt, 63, was happy to hear about the change.

“I shop here all the time, and the lower meat prices are going to help,” she said. “I’m by myself and on a fixed income, so I don’t eat a lot of meat, but this will help when I do get some.”

The new pricing structure will see the price of USDA top sirloin steak cut from $6.99 per pound to $3.99 per pound, and USDA boneless rump roast lowered from $4.29 per pound to $2.99 per pound. Numerous meat products from Oscar Mayer, Bob Evans, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farms and Bryan will also be affected.

With customers now able to purchase meat for less, England said customers will hopefully purchase additional groceries from the store.

“With lower prices on their main course items, our customers can balance the rest of their plate with the quality and freshness throughout the store that’s best for them,” he said. “We want to give them more for their money.”

District Manager Don Wilson agreed, adding, “We’re just trying to help our customer’s dollars go a little further.”

England said the meat pricing decision partially came about when the company noticed a shift in customer spending habits over the past year, as the economic situation nationwide started to decline.

“When gas prices went through the roof this past fall, customers were forced to cut their grocery dollars,” he said. “The one area they didn’t make sacrifices was in the meat department for the main course. Our reports tell us that no matter what the state of the economy and no matter how much they’re cutting back, meat purchases remain a priority for our Food World customers.”

“This change in pricing is a strategic shift for Food World and wasn't made based on today's economy, but it is even more appropriate in light of it," England said.

‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

        

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