The improved shopping experience at HEB
I’m beginning to hate my HEB. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s been upgraded with new features like having candy and cereals on the same aisle. The main entrance now forces you to walk through the greatly expanded wine and floral sections. I guess the fact that some of the wines and cigars are locked in cabinets explains the “inventory protection” system that has been installed.
It took me a while but I finally figured out why all the over-the-counter drugs are now in the middle of the store, far away from the pharmacy. It just didn’t make sense. Then I realized that was the point, to be far away from the pharmacy so people aren’t disrupting the pharmacy’s efficiency. The two aisles closest to the pharmacy are now pet products and laundry items–I bet the interruptions at the pharmacy for questions about the-over -the-counter medicines have decreased dramatically.
They have added back lighting on the shelves with the $15 shampoos and conditioners. I’ve got nothing against organics but can’t they get Peter Pan Peanut Butter back to the pre-peanut butter scare levels? The chocolate cake that I loved and got as a treat every once in a while is very rarely around while apricot scones abound. For the record, I like scones but I also like chocolate.
What really bugs me is that it’s such obvious marketing techniques. Candy in the cereal aisle–give me a break! I just wonder how much all of these new choices is adding to the cost of my non-organic milk and cereal. I guess I’m just too plebeian for the upscale grocery market but there’s no way I’m shopping at Walmart and the Targets around here don’t have full grocery stores. Unfortunately, my family has picked up on the fact that I now come home from grocery shopping disgusted and grumpy and do their best to unload the groceries and get out of my way. Thank you HEB.
Filed under: HEB
