Latest news with #GroceryOutlet
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
GO or KMB: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?
Investors looking for stocks in the Consumer Products - Staples sector might want to consider either Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (GO) or Kimberly-Clark (KMB). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out. The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits. Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Kimberly-Clark has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell) right now. The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that GO has an improving earnings outlook. But this is just one piece of the puzzle for value investors. Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels. The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors. GO currently has a forward P/E ratio of 17.47, while KMB has a forward P/E of 18.20. We also note that GO has a PEG ratio of 3.53. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. KMB currently has a PEG ratio of 4.37. Another notable valuation metric for GO is its P/B ratio of 1.07. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, KMB has a P/B of 34.95. Based on these metrics and many more, GO holds a Value grade of B, while KMB has a Value grade of C. GO stands above KMB thanks to its solid earnings outlook, and based on these valuation figures, we also feel that GO is the superior value option right now. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (GO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Walmart Inc. (WMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kellanova (K) : Free Stock Analysis Report Stevanato Group S.p.A. (STVN) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Grocery Outlet's CMO wants to challenge people's perception of the discounter
Grocery Outlet is known for low prices - maybe a little too well known. The company's stores are filled with a wide assortment of low-price items and signage touting all the money shoppers can save. The exteriors of its stores are emblazoned with the phrase "Grocery Outlet Bargain Market." But sometimes that reputation can have its drawbacks, according to the discounter's top marketing executive. "It's not always a blessing to have 'bargain' and 'outlet' in a grocery store name," Layla Kasha, Grocery Outlet's chief marketing officer, said in an interview. "Some people are like, 'I don't know what's going to be in there.' To get them to even try shopping at Grocery Outlet is a hurdle." Even as many consumers are focused on keeping their grocery bills down, quality and assortment are still top of mind, and Grocery Outlet is looking to leverage its private label, unique assortment and fresh offerings as it markets the value of its treasure hunt experience. Kasha, who has spent nearly a decade at the discounter in top marketing roles, said she remembers seeing the rise of portfolio shopping - visiting multiple retailers in search of low prices and deals - during the 2008 recession. The COVID-19 pandemic served as another catalyst for people to shop multiple retailers in search of deals, she said. That cross-shopping has further propelled shopper interest in discounters, like Grocery Outlet. Kasha's "zigzaggy road" to Grocery Outlet started with working for her father, who owned a bodega-style store along with a few restaurants, she said. She went on to work in sales and marketing positions at Stone Creamery and Arby's. "I grew up in the restaurant business. … I did kind of everything in the restaurant you could imagine: I worked in the kitchen, I worked in the front, I managed. I did all that, and then when I owned my own restaurant, I started marketing [to bring in customers]," she said. Kasha landed at Grocery Outlet in 2017 after a friend connected her to an open marketing role at the discounter. Kasha spoke with Grocery Dive about how consumer trends have shifted recently, how the discounter approaches marketing to new and existing consumers and what role the discounter's nascent private label plays in its strategy to entice shoppers. Editor's note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. GROCERY DIVE: Recently, there seems to be a shift with consumers moving away from traditional grocers to buy groceries from two ends of the spectrum: low-price retailers and specialty grocers. Are you seeing a similar pattern? What changes in consumer habits is Grocery Outlet noticing? LAYLA KASHA: We are absolutely seeing that. COVID-19 changed shopping behaviors radically. Like every recession, everything in the environment tweaks people's shopping a little bit. So a lot of people changed their shopping habits during the recession, and then once you get through the recession, you're still like, "I'm still not going to pay full price for something I know I can get if I just make one more stop, right?" It's a really interesting time to be an extreme retailer and a marketer. What we're seeing in the store is a lot of different customers. We have to be able to serve somebody that shops us twice a week, and serve somebody that shops us once a week, and serve somebody that shops us once a month. There's those folks that stock up on a budget and then there's people going in to see what's in there. Grocery Outlet's reputation is built around low prices and the treasure hunt. Can you speak to how the discounter approaches marketing to its customers? We're not the chore. We are the fun shop that people get to do and want to do. So we lean into the fun. The item you don't expect you're gonna find, the organic, the high-end brands - we're super proud of that. You might find OPI nail polish. It's my favorite find: OPI nail polish for $1.99. I think for us, we really focus on "What are you going to find?" I've heard Grocery Outlet executives on earnings calls talk about the "treasure hunt experience." How much of that treasure hunt experience are you pointing people to versus letting them discover those deals on their own? A lot of that is organic. Once you find the one thing that you're like, "I did not know I could get this for that price," then in your brain it triggers the thought, "I wonder, what else is in here?" Then you go up and down every aisle. When you get a couple really good deals in your cart, you're sold. That is the magic. I had a friend of mine that would say to me - and this is not somebody that needed a bargain - "I can never drive past one of your stores, because it haunts me to know: What did I drive past? What's in there that I missed this week?" She would hit all three Modesto, California, stores weekly, because she was like, "I just know there's something in there." The treasure finds tend to happen a lot in the wine department, the beauty aisle and the natural, organic, specialty and healthy department. When you find an item you didn't expect to see, it creates a tremendous amount of excitement. What is the company's messaging for people who might not be familiar with Grocery Outlet? It's definitely more challenging in new markets. We are part of the community, so every store is locally owned and operated. The person that's going to own that store and be in that store lives there, so they know their communities. We do a tremendous amount of marketing, billboards, TV, radio, but one of the ways we do it, too, is we tap into local influencers and really use the digital space to get an organic shop. The key is getting more people organically talking about the store: "I went to the store. This is my haul. Oh my gosh. The store was gorgeous. The people were friendly. The produce was really fresh." People get really excited about things like fresh salmon, because they don't expect it. They don't expect to see organic produce. A lot of times, people put it on their page, and we didn't even ask them to go in. What we'll often do is called user-generated content, so we'll send them a note and say, "Hey, can we share this?" And people are thrilled to have that happen. What marketing opportunities are you currently excited about? I would say the really exciting thing right now is really digging back into the customer themselves. We're going through that work. COVID, inflation, everything's changed. What are [consumers] doing now? And how are we going to stay relevant? We're really playing with this idea of … crafting the message to specifically speak to each person. What we say and how we say it might change depending on who I'm talking to. A Gen Xer is going to hear something a certain way, where a millennial or a Gen Zer is going to hear it in a different way. What's always fun is to craft messages and do A/B testing to see what's landing. How do you factor private label into marketing? What has the reception been like to the private label? It's early days. We've got a few hundred SKUs. It's going really well. Second Cheapest Wine is a really big hit. It's a clever name, and people really are like, "I gotta try it." We have other categories: deli, baking, sugar, all that kind of stuff. We've got some staples coming through. We've got butter, sugar, mustard, cheese, wine, ketchup and condiments. There's a lot of SKUs in the deli area. We're going to launch more SKUs this year. Something we heard from customers was, "Man, I love shopping there, but it's really hard when I get there and I need butter, and you guys don't have it," because we source opportunistically. The operators can order whatever they want and feel the community needs, but private label tends to be pretty much in all the stores. We're being strategic about what we're putting out. We're not putting out SKUs just to put out SKUs. We're putting out thoughtful SKUs that our customers are looking for, that is going to be a value add for them. Copyright 2025 Industry Dive. All rights reserved.
Newsweek
07-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Grocery Outlet Sued Over False Savings, 'Fictitious' Price Comparisons
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Grocery Outlet, a discount supermarket chain known for its "Bargain Market" branding, is facing a class-action lawsuit in Oregon over allegations of deceptive pricing practices. Newsweek contacted Grocery Outlet for comment via email outside of usual working hours on Saturday. Why It Matters Grocery Outlet Inc. is a California corporation that does business in Oregon through its branded grocery outlet locations. Since 1971, Oregon law has protected consumers from the use of unfair and deceptive reference pricing practices. The lawsuit, as reported by Grocery Dive, was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Monday and claims that the retailer systematically used fabricated "elsewhere" prices to create the illusion of significant savings, violating Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act. "This putative class action arises from a widespread and coordinated scheme by Grocery Outlet Inc. and its affiliated Oregon operators to mislead consumers through the use of fictitious 'elsewhere' pricing," the lawsuit states. "Defendants systematically advertised grocery items with inflated or fabricated reference prices—purportedly representing competitor pricing—without identifying the source of those comparisons, as required by Oregon law," the lawsuit adds. "These deceptive practices created the illusion of significant savings," the filing continued, "when, in fact, consumers often paid the same or more than they would have at other local retailers." The lawsuit claims that Grocery Outlet's pricing strategy violates "multiple provisions of Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act and related regulations, including prohibitions against false or misleading price comparisons and requirements for transparency in advertising discounts." File photo: The exterior of a Grocery Outlet store is seen on February 25, 2025 in San Rafael, California. File photo: The exterior of a Grocery Outlet store is seen on February 25, 2025 in San Rafael, To Know The complaint has been brought by three Oregon consumers, named as Schearon Stewart, John Franz, and Roger Sullivan, and represented by OCJ Law, P.C., in partnership with Oregon Consumer Justice. The complaint alleges that Grocery Outlet advertised inflated or fictitious reference prices without identifying the source of those comparisons, as required by Oregon law. In some instances, the lawsuit claims that the "elsewhere" prices cited by the retailer were higher than the actual prices offered by nearby competitors. The filing alleges that "the violations are rampant within the stores," citing as an example: "Tide pods at Grocery Outlet in King City are sold for $12.99 with a stated 'elsewhere' price of $18.99." However, the lawsuit cites that "there is no competitor in the same geographic area called 'elsewhere' and the reference price use of that term is prohibited by Oregon law. "Second, a survey of the grocery stores in the same geographic area shows the actual prices of that same product never approached $18.99. Instead, at the nearest competitors it was priced for $12.99 (Fred Meyers) and $12.97 (Walmart)." File photos: One of the "elsewhere" signs named in the lawsuit is seen on display; and the exterior of Grocery Outlet in Salem, Oregon. File photos: One of the "elsewhere" signs named in the lawsuit is seen on display; and the exterior of Grocery Outlet in Salem, Oregon. Lawsuit/ Google street view/Lawsuit/ Google street view "These deceptive practices created the illusion of significant savings, when in fact, consumers often paid the same or more than they would have at other local retailers," the lawsuit alleges, as reported by Supermarket News. Law firm Tycko & Zavareei LLP said that the lawsuit seeks injunctive and equitable relief to stop the alleged unlawful conduct and hold Grocery Outlet accountable. Plaintiffs intend to amend the complaint to seek monetary damages on behalf of the class after the statutory notice period under Oregon law has expired. What People Are Saying F. Peter Silva II, attorney at Tycko & Zavareei LLP, said: "This case is about fairness and transparency. Oregon law is clear: if you advertise a discount, you must be honest about where that comparison comes from. Grocery Outlet's use of vague and unverifiable 'elsewhere' prices deprived consumers of the ability to make informed purchasing decisions and unfairly competed with other businesses." What Happens Next The lawsuit states the plaintiffs, "representing a class of similarly situated Oregon consumers, seek injunctive and equitable relief to halt these practices and hold Defendants accountable for the financial harm caused by their unlawful conduct." The case adds to Grocery Outlet's legal troubles, as the company is dealing with a separate lawsuit, filed earlier this year, relating to security fraud. The lawsuit is the latest in a series targeting grocers over their pricing and promotional tactics. Last year, as reported by Grocery Dive, Albertsons agreed to a $3.9 million settlement following a civil complaint that claimed the retailer unlawfully overcharged customers. More recently, Publix was hit with a class-action lawsuit alleging it overcharged shoppers for discounted items sold by weight, including meats, cheeses, and deli products.
New York Post
06-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
The cheapest grocery stores in 2025 have been named — and the first-place winner is expanding in NYC
Check out these checkouts. As food prices are expected to rise by up to 3.5% in 2025, according to the USDA, many Americans are looking for ways to keep their grocery bills in check. A recent study by MarketForce, which surveyed over 4,300 shoppers, highlights the grocery stores that best balance affordability with quality. 8 As food prices are expected to rise by up to 3.5% in 2025, according to the USDA, many Americans are looking for ways to keep their grocery bills in check. Whether it's inflation, supply chain issues or simply the high cost of living, everyone could use a break at checkout. Here's your chance, according to the roundup, with seven grocers helping customers stretch their dollars without sacrificing taste or freshness. 1. Lidl: Discount giant with a European twist 8 Lidl food market was rated the most affordable, quality grocery store in the country. Refrina – Lidl has been a rising star in the U.S. discount grocery scene, especially in NYC, where it has been expanding locations, including in Brooklyn. The store layout is inspired by European roots, which helps Lidl keep its overhead low by minimizing staffing and using a streamlined warehouse-style setup. This helps reduce costs for shoppers, making it one of the most budget-friendly options for families. According to the MarketForce study, an impressive 81.4% of customers return to Lidl because of its unbeatable value. The store's affordable pricing is made better with the quality of its products, the report notes. In addition to the usual grocery items, Lidl also surprises customers with seasonal and non-food items, from power tools to potted plants. 2. WinCo Foods: Wholesale prices — without a membership 8 WinCo operates a warehouse-style model focusing on low prices by cutting out the middleman. Oksana – If you've ever dreamed of paying Costco prices without the membership fee, WinCo Foods is where it's at. This employee-owned chain has become a household name in many parts of the U.S., with 139 locations spread across 10 states. WinCo operates a warehouse-style model focusing on low prices by cutting out the middleman. It buys directly from manufacturers and even has customers bag their own groceries. The strategy must be working: a whopping 73.1% of shoppers cited value for money as their main reason for frequenting WinCo. Its bulk sections are also noted as a treasure trove for those seeking to stock up on essentials like flour, rice and dried goods at steep discounts. 3. Grocery Outlet: Where discounts meet discovery 8 According to the survey, 71.4% of shoppers reported returning to Grocery Outlet for the exceptional value it provides. Sundry Photography – Grocery Outlet's business model revolves around selling overstocked or discontinued items at discounted prices. Locations vary by region, but the appeal is universal: customers can score big on both name-brand and private-label products. Fresh produce, dairy and meat are always stocked, while their natural and organic sections offer a variety of specialty items like vegan and gluten-free foods — often for less than what you'd find at other places. Notably, 71.4% of shoppers reported returning to Grocery Outlet for the exceptional value it provides. 4. Aldi: The discount king 8 With a European-inspired model, Aldi keeps costs low with fewer staff, simple displays and self-bagging of groceries. JHVEPhoto – Aldi's reputation for value is legendary — and the numbers don't lie. The MarketForce study found that 70.4% of shoppers favor Aldi for the exceptional value it offers. With a European-inspired model, Aldi keeps costs low by minimizing staff, using simple displays, and encouraging customers to bag their own groceries. Despite this no-frills approach, Aldi shoppers can find everything from pasta and canned goods to frozen items and fresh produce. If you're looking to make your budget stretch even further, Aldi is also home to great deals on dairy, baked goods and even alcohol. 5. Wegmans: Upstate store spreads far and wide 8 A solid 68.7% of MarketForce respondents cited value for money as their main reason for choosing Wegmans. JHVEPhoto – Known for its vast selection of high-quality store-brand products, Wegmans is a favorite among many shoppers, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region. The family-owned grocer boasts more than 110 stores and has become well-known for its excellent customer service and affordable prices. A solid 68.7% of MarketForce respondents cited value for money as their main reason for choosing Wegmans. Wegmans stands out for its wide range of organic and healthy food options, from fresh produce to gluten-free snacks. The grocer expanded to Long Island earlier this year and continues to extend its reach beyond the Northeast. 6. Trader Joe's: Trading up 8 Trader Joe's has quirky offerings and high-quality private-label goods that have become fan favorites. jetcityimage – Despite its smaller footprint compared to traditional grocery stores, about 67.2% of study participants mentioned that they return because of the store's value. While it's famous for its affordable and fun frozen-food options, much-beloved Trader Joe's also serves up fresh produce, unique snacks, seasonal items and high-quality private-label goods. 7. Costco: Bulking up 8 Costco members appreciate the wholesale prices on everything from household essentials to luxury items. JHVEPhoto – While Costco may require a membership, the savings it offers can make it worth the investment. Known for its bulk-buying model, Costco allows customers to purchase everything from household essentials to luxury items at steeply discounted prices. Whether it's buying a year's supply of toilet paper, a bulk pack of fresh fruit, gourmet cheeses or pantry staples, according to the MarketForce study, 61.4% of customers return to Costco for its impressive deals.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Merkley leads bill protecting LGBTQ from ‘hateful' Trump policies
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – In an effort to protect the LGBTQ+ community from 'hateful' policies under the Trump administration, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is leading a bill, that he says, will counter anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders. The No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act, which Merkley introduced alongside Congresswoman Becca Balint (D-VT), would ensure that executive orders targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other Americans have no effect while also ensuring no federal funds are used to carry out those orders. The lawmakers said the bill takes aim at several executive orders issued by President Donald Trump, including an order signed on Trump's first day back in office that calls for the federal government to define sex as male or female — and for those sexes to be reflected on official documents such as passports. Class action lawsuit accuses Grocery Outlet of deceptive pricing in Oregon stores As reported by , the order rejects the idea that someone could transition to another gender or could identify as something other than male or female. The executive order states 'Across the country, ideologues who deny the biological reality of sex have increasingly used legal and other socially coercive means to permit men to self-identify as women and gain access to intimate single-sex spaces and activities designed for women, from women's domestic abuse shelters to women's workplace showers.' However, reports that the order is at odds with statements from transgender Americans who say they try to use those spaces to align with their identity and not to ''gain access to intimate single-sex spaces and activities designed for women.'' British man posed as billionaire, tricked Portlander in $1.9 million online romance scheme Merkley and Balint said their bill also takes aim at an executive order to reinstate a ban on transgender people entering the military, an order to prevent transgender youth from receiving along with an order banning transgender students from participating in school sports. 'Freedom is the right to safely live as your authentic self without fear of harassment, discrimination, or violence,' Sen. Merkley said in a press release announcing the bill. 'President Trump and Republicans are attacking our LGBTQ+ neighbors, friends, and family members by rubberstamping discrimination in every aspect of daily life. As we mark Pride Month this year, we say 'hell no' to this hate and honor those who have fought for LGBTQ+ equality by never giving up on the vision of America as a land of freedom for all.' 'Trump cannot take away our rights or our health care just with the stroke of a pen. I'm standing with Senator Merkley and my colleagues to show the Trump administration that their hate and dehumanizing rhetoric targeting queer Americans doesn't intimidate us. We won't back down when it comes to protecting our rights. No matter how much they try to erase us and our history, LGBTQI+ people are valued members of every community across this country,' Rep. Balint added. The bill is co-sponsored by several lawmakers including Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) along with Representatives Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD-06). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
