It remains to be seen whether WinCo’s prices are low enough to drive grocery prices down in the Las Vegas market.
Also unknown: After the excitement of WinCo’s two March 4 store openings fades, will significant numbers of Las Vegas-area shoppers make long drives to WinCo’s Southern Nevada stores to shop?
The majority of the valley’s population lives several miles from the closest WinCo store.
Someone living near Jones Boulevard and Washington Avenue, for instance, is more than 7 miles from the store at 6101 N. Decatur Blvd. in Las Vegas and 21 miles from the store at 80 N. Stephanie St. in Henderson.
Hard data on which store chain has the lowest prices overall is hard to come by, analysts say.
And while WinCo strives to be the low-price leader among supermarkets (not necessarily including membership stores), it doesn’t promise to meet or beat competitors’ prices, except during occasional holiday promotions, a WinCo spokesman said.
Competitors are well aware of WinCo’s operating strategies, but two didn’t comment directly when asked if they would adjust their prices to compete with WinCo or match WinCo’s advertised prices.
“Walmart is committed to delivering everyday low prices on products our customers need for their home and family,” Walmart said in a statement. “Hardworking families in Las Vegas can trust Walmart to deliver on our mission to help them save money and live better.”
Marsha Gilford, a spokeswoman for Smith’s Food & Drug Stores, said, “We have competed with WinCo for many years in Northern Nevada and for the last couple of years in Utah.”
“We have been a part of the Las Vegas market for 40 years and believe that our rewards card delivers value that is unmatched in Las Vegas,” Gilford said. “And we place a great deal of emphasis on creating a memorable shopping experience for our customers — service — which differentiates us.”