Wegmans Blog: Fresh Stories

Good news for winter:  We pledge to freeze prices through April 28 on a list of seasonal products that families buy most. Last year you told us that it was really helpful to be able to count on low prices being held for 40+ items through the end of 2011. Toward the end of the year, you began to worry that prices on that list would go up.   So our folks began to rework the list and modify it for this time of year.

There are some changes to the 2011 list, the most visible that this is a seasonal Winter List.  About 11 products on the old list came off.  Reasons for these changes are primarily dependent on specific supply situations (i.e. terrible peanut crops last year, so peanut butter costs have skyrocketed because of short supply; canned tuna because fishing restrictions decreased the global supply and flooding in Thailand affected the ports and the processor for Wegmans brand tuna).

However, even though the prices for products coming off the list may be going up, be assured that they’re still competitively priced with other stores in the market.  Twenty-five new products went on the Winter List, ones especially popular now, such as citrus, waffles, ready-to-serve soups, condensed tomato and chicken noodle soups…and yes, some cough and cold medications. Bread and paper products, not on last year’s list, have been added.   You can see the complete list at wegmans.com.

Since the late 1990s, we have had Consistent Low Prices on products families buy most. When  costs rose last year to record levels on many commodities such as wheat, corn, soy and oil, it was challenging and we couldn’t hold those consistent prices on everything.  Our approach last year and this is to estimate future volatility and balance risks.  It’s complicated and difficult, but through it all, we want to assure you that we’re doing everything we can to provide some certainty for you in such uncertain times.

What products do you use on the list?

Senior Vice President, Consumer Affairs
39 years @ Wegmans