I nearly spit out my coffee this morning when I read that the new Wegmans grocery store in King of Prussia clocks in at a whopping 123,000 square feet. By comparison, the newly opened Whole Foods Market in Glen Mills tops out at 38,000 square feet, which means you could fit three (3!) of those stores inside the KOP Wegmans—and still have room for the Market Cafe.
Aroundmainline.com posted an enthusiastic story about the giant new Wegmans, complete with a list of “fun facts”:
• The in-store Market Cafe can seat 300 people. The Pub, which is purportedly double the size of Wegmans Pubs at other stores, seats 30 at the bar.
• The outdoor dining area features a fireplace, a Wegmans first.
• The store features over 70,000 products (regular grocery stores contain about 40,000), including up to 700 varieties of fruits and veggies and 300 cheeses from around the world. Beer totals 800 domestic and imported bottles.
That’s a whoooooole lot of Wegmans—too much, if you ask me. While it’s all kinds of impressive to tout six-figure square footage and more products than a person could possibly know what to do with, it begs the question: Are all these bells and whistles really necessary? I mean, Wegmans is first and foremost a grocery store, and the last time I checked no one was jonesing to spend their Friday night sidled up to the bar, sipping a Belgian craft beer at … the Acme. I mean, really, is this something you’ve wished for? Like, ever?
What I don’t understand is why a trip to the grocery store needs to be an “experience” (and one we can have 24/7, at that). Does our insatiable need for sensory stimulation and Disney-like entertainment really need to cross over to our supermarket trip? When did a grocery store become more than a place to buy food?
I’m the type of grocery shopper who likes to be in and out in the shortest amount of time possible. It’s why I like Trader Joe’s: the place has everything I need and it’s small, so I can fly through the aisles at top speeds and be back at home before Friends is over. I have no need for an in-store bar and an outdoor fireplace. Maybe I’m alone in this, but I’m not really looking to hang out at my grocery store.
Besides, warehouse-sized stores can make those grocery trips when you just need to pick up a few things an absolute nightmare. True story: One time I was in the ‘burbs for my mother-in-law’s birthday, and I had to swing by the Wegmans in Malvern to pick up a few things for a recipe I was making for her birthday dinner. This was my first experience in a Wegmans store, and I distinctly remember walking in and muttering, What in the world? The place was huge! But not huge in a good way—huge in a “I better be careful lest I get lost in this small city of grocery commerce” sort of way. Finding the handful of items I needed was like searching for a needle in a haystack, never mind the fact that I had to cover what felt like miles and miles of retail space to hunt down a bottle of salsa and some black beans.
I’m sure I’m in the minority when I say this, but KOP, you can have your Wegmans. I’ll stick with postage-stamp-size stores that have everything I need—by which I mean: food. Period.
Though the new Wegmans is “Huge” it is crowded. Not by people but by products and “Stuff. When I crossed over to enter the store I was greeted by the small shopping cars blocking my way, apparently there was nowhere else to store them ???. I had to retrace my steps and enter another way.
I often shop with a handicapped woman and she needs to use the motorized carts. If she was with me it would have been “VERY” difficult for here to go around. Clearances are not consistent throughout the store. My handicapped friend definitely would have had trouble maneuvering, most likely some displays would have been toppled. I mentioned it to “Bob” who appeared to be management His response was less than accommodating.
I’d also like to see thermometers visible in the cold cases (Especially Milk) I have a scanner for testing temperatures at stores but would rather not have to carry it. You’d be surprised how many stores I found not to be in compliance with minimum cooler temps. I’ve even seen stores with visible gauges accurately displaying 52 F… too warm!) Wegmans passed on this day nicely, but I’d feel better if the had temps visible for customers and employees to monitor.
I’ll give them some time, but I will be talking to management in the future about changes I’d like to see. I really do want that “Everyday You Get Our Best” feeling!
Larry, you carrry a thermometer with you to grocery stores? REALLY? Haha unless you’re an inspector, than you sound like a fool. It’s people like you that always ask the most absurd, near impossible to answer questions. These questions often have no bearing on reality by the way, and merely serve to allow people like yourself to enjoy the sound of your own voice.
I’m being critiqued by a guy at 2:54 AM … who uses a cartoon character as his name ? ( Homer J Simpson )
…Que Sera Sera
Emily you write those story with such cynicism about the KOP Wegmans and have not even been to the store. At least you admit that you are in the minority with your opinions. If you were not, the company wouldn’t be as successful as it is. You’re solely focused on size and you fail to point out that this company is often recognized as one of the best grocery chains in the nation. Not because the size of its stores but due to its great customer service and excellent products. I guess they could get rid of some of those to make the stores smaller for you.
You have too much time on your hands.
I’m with you Emily! I’ve been known to skip getting something I need in just a normal sized Giant if I’ve already gotten to the other side of the store. Big stores are exhausting.
Ha ha as for cooler temps – maybe they don’t need to be so cold because the air temperature in stores are even colder than that. I keep a sweatshirt in my car all summer just to wear in Trader Joe’s.
I object to the whole food porn thing too – is it because that is the only acceptable place to practice consumerism now? I’m a chef, and I love food, but the whole thing grosses me out.
Emily, don’t be a hater.
We LOVE our new King of Prussia Wegman’s! You want a smaller store? That’s fine. Why did your editor assign you to write an article about Wegman’s?
Wegman’s deserves love and respect. They have great quality food and a rich diversity of choices. Their store is a clean, bright environment, staffed with friendly employees who (like Costco employees) earn a living wage. Produce? Top notch. Meats? Top notch. Cheeses? Wegman’s is practically a specialty cheese store!
Philadelphia Magazine, there are enough haters in the world. Send Emily to a new Wawa opening. Please send us a person who loves and respects and appreciates top quality grocery stores.
Sending Emily to Wegman’s is casting pearls before swine.
Don’t get me started. My daughter-in-law is from Rochester NY Corp. HQ of Wegman’s. Once I got lost in “the compound” and couldn’t get out without security clearance…somehow I got in but couldn’t get out. My first experience was to buy Horse Radish..the store stock persons and 35 minutes I still couldn’t find what I wanted. Haven’t gone back since.
Doesn’t anyone consider the huge waste and environmental impact of these ridiculously over-sized stores? Oink, oink, oink: give up the 5-planet lifestyle, please.
I love wegmans! But I never go past the first 4 aisles for the same reasons you and others point out – mainly, it is too big and hard to navigate.
In the first 4 aisles I can take advantage of their great prices on club price chicken, get fruit and vegetables, and hit up the butcher for lunch meat. After that, I head to Giant!
My family also uses the pub and cafe. It is an easy place to go out to dinner with kids. If the service is a little slow you can just go into the grocery store side to get what you want.
So really, it’s a love hate relationship.
Emily, AMEN!
I agree regarding the size of this particular Wegmans – our supermarkets don’t have to be THIS large. I love Wegmans, but this is getting a little ginormous.
At the same time, I do have to point out that the Wegman’s pubs have been quite successful because they’re filling an unspoken need in their local communities. (ie: comfortable places to gather, relax, and socialize.) Anytime I walk through the Collegeville or Malvern pubs they’re always packed.
No one desires to hang out at their local Acme for a Belgian because shopping at Acme is a lackluster, mundane experience. Wegman’s is innovating in ways that Acme (so far) hasn’t fathomed.
Wegmans is a destination, not a grocery store. The size is compatible with how they seem to view their market and place therein. It is a combination of the European way of doing business and the American need for quick and good.
I live about a mile from a Lehigh Valley Wegmans (a mere, publess, 110,000 SF) and shop there regularly. In spite of the 65,000+ SKU inventory, there are still omissions which send me to other chains or to ethnic markets. Comparison shoppers will quickly realize that Wegmans is quite price competitive on many everyday groceries, that customer service is well above that of most chains and the store is far cleaner than the majority of its competition. While virtually unpublicized, the company is a major contributor to community food banks or shelters. Overall, I’m glad to have one in my community.
The Collegeville wegmanns is a 5 minute drive from me. It’s a great place, the pub serves a great burger and is on par with anyof your local Fridays and Applebee’s chains.. As for those who say its too big, if you are asmartphone user, and chances are if you’re a wegmanns or wholefoods shopper, you are download the app. You make your list, it gives you the specific location of the item. It is spot on and I get out of the store very quickly.
I personally have not been to the new Wegmans in KOP, however, I have shopped in Cherry Hill. Yes, it’s big, but I think of it as exercise, especially if you have the time!
People will complain about anything. Great service, selection and how one of the top ten places to work for the last 16 years. Wegmans is awesome for the consumer, employee and community. Family owned and proud of it.
Silly article
The original poster asks why this store needs to be 3x the size of whole foods mkt. Well this store carries all types of housewares, large bulk items taking a lot of space. I shop at both WFM and Target usu for main groceries, and then household items. But on the weeks I go to Wegmans, I can usu get all from their. However, I should stress that there are many things that I still need to go to Whole Foods for, as far as particular vegs and fruits, which Wegmans doesn’t match. Still in all great store!