sNapshot oN 2013
I think we are going to have a pretty good couple
of years. The cycle has to readjust itself. I think it'll be
at least four years before the market is back to where
it was in 2006, as supply and demand levels.
– Punit Shah, Liberty Group
Art O'Strander, Spartan Stores: Sustainability and green building practices are
a big focus for us as we go forward. We
just completed our first LEED supermarket
in Wyoming, Mich, which is in certification
right now. Energy reduction is the biggest
part of the project that we will be rolling out
into our other supermarkets – not only from
the refrigeration side, but the lighting and
mechanical systems sides, too.
We're already going into some of our
other supermarkets and retrofitting our
produce with track lighting with LED fixtures,
and retrofitting refrigeration cases with LED
lighting and ECM fan motors. This will be a
big step forward in our sustainability efforts.
We're really excited about our new "Valu
Land" format. We plan to roll out eight to 10
of those a year, starting next year. This format
differentiates itself from other value or limited
assortment operators by having an expanded
presence in the produce and fresh meat departments, and through offering national brand
products. Our first stores have been successful.
In addition to our "Valu Land" format,
we have nearly 100 other supermarkets to
take care of. We try to remodel those stores
in seven-year intervals, where we typically
refresh the interior finishes and décor, and
address deferred maintenance issues.
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CommerCial ConstruCtion & renovation — january : february 2013