Ramey’s changes to Price Cutter, new options offered for customers
March 9, 2016
Charlea Estes
Longtime grocery store Ramey’s got a makeover, revamped products and a name change last week. Ramey’s, now called Price Cutter like the company’s others stores, has been remodeled inside to accommodate new foods, a salad bar and more.
Larry Hayward, executive vice president for Price Cutter stores, has been in the store in the past weeks, overseeing that interior remodel and change in many of the departments, most claim for the better. Hayward said, “The store is more in line with our Price Cutter vision now, so we made the name change.” Hayward said the main motivator for the changes are to satisfy customers who are looking for healthier options.
Cassville shoppers can now run in a grab a salad at the fresh salad bar in the front of the store or one of the over 1,000 natural and organic items now offered by the store. However, one of the things some customers will miss is the pharmacy, which was closed to make room for the new salad bar, as well as other departments. Hayward said that it was to meet customer needs.
“By taking out the pharmacy, we were given the room to expand the other departments in the store. We already have two great hometown pharmacies, and it just wasn’t needed at this store,” he said.
Hayward went on, “If it wasn’t in Cassville, that’s why we made these decisions, to provide more options.”
He said the same for the dollar aisle that has been removed during the change. Hayward stated, “I’ve had several people ask why we took out the dollar section, and it’s because you have other stores here that satisfy that need. There is a Dollar General down the street and a Dollar Tree. This opened up more possibilities for other things that shoppers couldn’t find in Cassville before.”
The biggest changes come from the goal to have more healthy options for shoppers. Hayward said, “I think a lot of people want to eat healthier, and that’s why a vision of our company is to have more produce, fresh and organic foods.”
The produce department got a huge makeover with layout changes that make the area more efficient with more items. On that side is also an aisle dedicated to natural and organic items. From health food bars to gluten free options, the selection is hands-down larger than any other options even remotely close.
Hayward said that the store is also taking steps toward building a closer relationship with the community. He commented, “We’re trying to partner and become closer to the community.” Part of that is working with the school to have art students paint a mural for the cart corral area at the front of the store.
The store also hired on additional employees to provide better customer service.
The Cassville Price Cutter is one of 49 stores in the chain. The Monett Price Cutter is currently being remodeled in the same fashion as the Cassville store, and the Purdy store will also be upgraded in the future, according to Hayward. The Monett store should be finished in mid-April.
Charlea Estes
Longtime grocery store Ramey’s got a makeover, revamped products and a name change last week. Ramey’s, now called Price Cutter like the company’s others stores, has been remodeled inside to accommodate new foods, a salad bar and more.
Larry Hayward, executive vice president for Price Cutter stores, has been in the store in the past weeks, overseeing that interior remodel and change in many of the departments, most claim for the better. Hayward said, “The store is more in line with our Price Cutter vision now, so we made the name change.” Hayward said the main motivator for the changes are to satisfy customers who are looking for healthier options.
Cassville shoppers can now run in a grab a salad at the fresh salad bar in the front of the store or one of the over 1,000 natural and organic items now offered by the store. However, one of the things some customers will miss is the pharmacy, which was closed to make room for the new salad bar, as well as other departments. Hayward said that it was to meet customer needs.
“By taking out the pharmacy, we were given the room to expand the other departments in the store. We already have two great hometown pharmacies, and it just wasn’t needed at this store,” he said.
Hayward went on, “If it wasn’t in Cassville, that’s why we made these decisions, to provide more options.”
He said the same for the dollar aisle that has been removed during the change. Hayward stated, “I’ve had several people ask why we took out the dollar section, and it’s because you have other stores here that satisfy that need. There is a Dollar General down the street and a Dollar Tree. This opened up more possibilities for other things that shoppers couldn’t find in Cassville before.”
The biggest changes come from the goal to have more healthy options for shoppers. Hayward said, “I think a lot of people want to eat healthier, and that’s why a vision of our company is to have more produce, fresh and organic foods.”
The produce department got a huge makeover with layout changes that make the area more efficient with more items. On that side is also an aisle dedicated to natural and organic items. From health food bars to gluten free options, the selection is hands-down larger than any other options even remotely close.
Hayward said that the store is also taking steps toward building a closer relationship with the community. He commented, “We’re trying to partner and become closer to the community.” Part of that is working with the school to have art students paint a mural for the cart corral area at the front of the store.
The store also hired on additional employees to provide better customer service.
The Cassville Price Cutter is one of 49 stores in the chain. The Monett Price Cutter is currently being remodeled in the same fashion as the Cassville store, and the Purdy store will also be upgraded in the future, according to Hayward. The Monett store should be finished in mid-April.
