Grocery wars heat up in the North Hills

WEXFORD, Pa. — The grocery wars are heating up in the North Hills with a new Whole Foods opening Wednesday. That means there will be three major grocery stores within a one-mile stretch on Route 19. Target 11 Consumer Investigator Robin Taylor found out how they're competing for your business.

Giant Eagle has big signs on their Market District store in Pine Township saying "We will accept Whole Foods coupons," so you know they're feeling the competition. On the high end, they've got Whole Foods opening. On the low end, they've got a new Aldi siphoning off a different type of customer.

Whole Foods is in direct competition with the high-end market district customer. The Texas supermarket chain is known for their specialty items, their organic foods and their wide variety of prepared foods.

But Whole Foods also has a reputation of being rather pricey.

"It's expensive to just go for certain items because you don't do your major shopping here. You buy special items here," said John Sliwa, a Whole Foods customer.

In January, Giant Eagle converted their Pine Township store into a Market District. A spokesman insists the move wasn't to compete with Whole Foods; it was something Giant Eagle was going to do anyway, because they wanted a presence in the North Hills.

Regardless, the store offers many of the same things as Whole Foods, including hot and cold prepared foods, along with a brand-new sushi bar.

The Market District store has expanded their bulk food section to 400 items.

"It has organic. It has your typical groceries, and it's one-stop shopping for me," said Diana Spellman, a Market District customer.

And that's the point Giant Eagle is making. At the Market District store, you can do all of your shopping, including buying brand name laundry detergent like Tide, and you'll earn fuel perks, something the others can't offer.

Aldi offers something else -- low prices for the budget-conscious shopper.

"The quality of food is good. We still sometimes go to Giant Eagle because they offer more of a selection, but we like it at Aldi," said Angie Popa, an Aldi customer.

Giant Eagle is also trying to entice customers with double points toward fuel perks on things such as deli sandwiches, bakery items and prepared foods.

As a consumer, I say bring it on, because this keeps prices competitive.

WPXI