Costco Tops Appliances, Great Wall Supermarket Leads Grocers in J.D. Power and Newsweek Rankings
When it comes to buying appliances, people who prioritize price over other factors end up less satisfied in the long run. That's what the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Appliance Satisfaction Study found out. Shoppers who bought appliances on sale just because of the low price had an overall satisfaction score of 714 out of 1,000. But those who looked for long-term benefits like energy savings or good warranties were much happier, scoring 777 and 770.
Shopping Gets Weird but Wonderful with Walmart Realm
Walmart just launched Realm, its new 3D online shopping platform. To help you visualize what that means, imagine a virtual mall packed with bright colors, wacky landscapes, and cartoon avatars wandering around. Realm lets you browse "digital doubles" of real Walmart products by navigating through several make-believe worlds. "We believe this is the future of commerce," said Justin Breton, who leads brand experiences at Walmart. "It won't replace our website or app, but will complement them."
Long Island Getting 5 Additional Aldi Locations
Aldi, the budget-friendly German grocery chain, is making a major push on Long Island. With shoppers increasingly seeking savings amid still-elevated food prices, the discount retailer plans to invest over $9 billion to add 800 new U.S. stores by the end of 2028 - including at least five more locations on Long Island.
800 New Aldi Stores Coming to the US
The German supermarket wants to bring its "lowest possible prices" to even more communities by 2028. As the press release states, this expansion comes "during a time when consumers are more focused than ever on saving money." While specific new store addresses weren't revealed, Aldi said it aims to "strengthen its already strong presence" in the Northeast and Midwest. The chain will also spread further west into Southern California, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and other western cities where it has fewer stores currently.
Target Launches New Ultra-Low-Cost Brand Dealworthy
Target's new low-cost brand Dealworthy is rolling out this month in stores and online. With items starting at under $1, it is aimed at budget-conscious shoppers. The low prices on basics like phone chargers, paper plates and underwear will likely appeal.
Walmart Building Hundreds of New Stores Nationwide
Walmart is growing the number of its physical stores across America. The retail giant announced plans to open 150 new U.S. stores over the next five years while remodeling 650 current locations. This ambitious plan shows Walmart is still confident in real stores, even with online shopping booming. The chain currently operates over 10,000 stores nationwide.
Publix Sets Sights on Kentucky, Taking on Kroger in its Backyard
Popular Florida-based grocery chain Publix is venturing into uncharted territory - Kentucky. Come 2024, Publix will unveil its inaugural Bluegrass State locations, comprising six stores sprinkled between Louisville and Lexington.