Local Save-A-Lot sees increase in sales; remodels store

By Greg Miller
Star Staff
gmiller@starhq.com

   The local Save-A-Lot store experienced about a 10 percent increase in sales from 2002 to 2003, according to Mike Folden, the store's manager.
   The store was remodeled earlier this year. "We have new decor inside the store and a better layout," Folden said. "We put in the Save-A-Lot decor, which is a lighter color as opposed to the orange we had in here. It's a lighter, softer color for the customers. We cleaned up the aisles, reset the entire store to make it more customer friendly.
   "Overall, everybody likes it. It's cleaner, it's brighter, and makes the store stand out a little bit more."
   A new sign will be installed on top of the store in the near future. "It will be a new Save-A-Lot sign to match the decor inside the store," Folden said.
   Customers enjoy shopping at Save-A-Lot for several reasons, according to Folden. "We do a customer survey every week," he stated. "We have at least two customer checks, where we re-ring their order and ask their opinion on the store. A lot of them like the low prices that we have, our fresh produce department, and the friendliness and service.
   "We sell about everything in this store. I don't have a 'dog' in the store. We average two or three truckloads of groceries a week.
   "Save-A-Lot's concept is excellent. It takes you back to the concept of selling groceries instead of putting on a show for the consumer.
   "It's easy for the customers. They don't have to make a decision of which green bean to buy when there's eight kinds out there, and the quality of the product is excellent.
   "We're picking up more and more business. The type of people shopping are more your conventional store people coming in here now. It's amazing. It used to be looked at as a low income store so to speak. (Now), it's not."
   Shoppers of all ages and income levels now shop at Save-A-Lot, according to Folden. "That's where we're picking up all of our business. It's a fast, friendly store. It's a good store."
   Folden has about 30 years in the grocery business.
   Save-A-Lot, located at 135 W. Elk Ave., is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
   For more information about the store, which has 35 employees, call 543-3393.