Local supermarkets face beefed-up competition from Valley Walmart and Target stores planning to expand their grocery sections, including some bringing in fresh produce for the first time.
The expansions are the latest challenge to traditional grocery stores already battling for food dollars.
Experts say they may suffer, perhaps a few stores will close, but one thing is certain — local supermarkets will have to continue to adjust to survive.
"It's more death by a thousand cuts — a supercenter opens down the block, a warehouse club like Sam's Club or Costco opens down the block," said Jim Prevor, founder and editor of Perishablepundit.com, a produce industry blog. "None of them by themselves is significant, but the cumulative impact of all these things pushes a lot of grocers out of business."
Save Mart just last week announced it was closing two Fresno County stores, citing competition and the economy
To read the rest of the story, please go to: The Fresno Bee.