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The recently opened Hooksett Market Basket. Went operational on September 21.
By Kevin Rauch
New Hampshire Herald
New Hampshire Herald
With all the various economic improvements that have come to Manchester over the past
decade, the biggest craze now is perhaps the ongoing construction of new Market Basket
supermarket outlets. The chain, officially known as Demoulas Market Basket, is
headquartered in Massachusetts with various franchises there and in New Hampshire.
The store’s expansion into Manchester will likely mark a major change to the business and
culture of the Queen City. A new franchise is under construction on Elm Street between
Lake Avenue and Valley Street, just south of the Verizon Wireless Arena. Another
franchise, located off of I-93 in nearby Hooksett, had its grand opening recently.. Just
how much business will be created by each new franchise, and how much will be taken
from competitors is a question in the minds of many.
Currently, the biggest supermarket chain operating in Manchester is Stop and Shop.
It has two franchise locations in somewhat close proximity of each other. One is located in
a shopping center on Valley Street, and another one nearby S. Willow Street. Both stores
seem to make very good business at all hours of the day, and neither seems to be in any
danger of downsizing or closing.
However, the opening of Market Basket will obviously create a major competitor to Stop
and Shop.
The major economic question that remains to be answered is, “How many of Stop and
Shop’s current customers will be drawn to Market Basket, and how many will remain
loyal?” In particular, the Stop and Shop franchise on Valley Street is soon going to be in
direct competition with the Elm St. Market Basket. The majority of residents of downtown
Manchester, as well as most in the whole center of the city, have likely turned to this Stop
and Shop franchise for their food and grocery items. Those who reside in the apartments
on Elm Street, and on the West side will soon have a more convenient location in the Elm
St. Market Basket. Some of Manchester’s lower-income residents live nearby the two
soon-to-be competing supermarkets, and may be comparing prices and bargains to try to
see who offers a better deal.
In addition to the potential for price wars, both stores will be looking for other sorts of
props to enhance their appeal and overall customer base. Stop and Shop does currently
sell various store-brand items at a rate somewhat cheaper than the better-known brands.
In addition, they offer a unique gas savings incentive by allowing Stop and Shop card
members to accumulate points through various purchases to get discounts on gasoline
purchased at stations in front of their stores.
Customers simply need to swipe their cards upon entering the gas station in order to get
the discount per gallon.
This will act as an obvious incentive for most customers to stay with them. They are also
a much bigger chain than Market Basket, existing throughout all of the Northeastern
United States (including New York and New Jersey).
David McLean, Operations Manager of Market Basket, was present at the opening of the
Hooksett location but was not yet able to ascertain a date for the opening of the franchise
in Manchester. He said that there are still quite a few construction-related issues
(including unforeseen weather conditions) that could come into play and did not wish to
give an estimated date for opening. He said that any arbitrary timeline would be largely
uncertain.
Other local competitors such as Hannaford’s and Shaw’s will clearly be affected as well. In
any event, the expansion of Market Basket into Manchester and surrounding areas is and
will be a major economic factor in the local community.
decade, the biggest craze now is perhaps the ongoing construction of new Market Basket
supermarket outlets. The chain, officially known as Demoulas Market Basket, is
headquartered in Massachusetts with various franchises there and in New Hampshire.
The store’s expansion into Manchester will likely mark a major change to the business and
culture of the Queen City. A new franchise is under construction on Elm Street between
Lake Avenue and Valley Street, just south of the Verizon Wireless Arena. Another
franchise, located off of I-93 in nearby Hooksett, had its grand opening recently.. Just
how much business will be created by each new franchise, and how much will be taken
from competitors is a question in the minds of many.
Currently, the biggest supermarket chain operating in Manchester is Stop and Shop.
It has two franchise locations in somewhat close proximity of each other. One is located in
a shopping center on Valley Street, and another one nearby S. Willow Street. Both stores
seem to make very good business at all hours of the day, and neither seems to be in any
danger of downsizing or closing.
However, the opening of Market Basket will obviously create a major competitor to Stop
and Shop.
The major economic question that remains to be answered is, “How many of Stop and
Shop’s current customers will be drawn to Market Basket, and how many will remain
loyal?” In particular, the Stop and Shop franchise on Valley Street is soon going to be in
direct competition with the Elm St. Market Basket. The majority of residents of downtown
Manchester, as well as most in the whole center of the city, have likely turned to this Stop
and Shop franchise for their food and grocery items. Those who reside in the apartments
on Elm Street, and on the West side will soon have a more convenient location in the Elm
St. Market Basket. Some of Manchester’s lower-income residents live nearby the two
soon-to-be competing supermarkets, and may be comparing prices and bargains to try to
see who offers a better deal.
In addition to the potential for price wars, both stores will be looking for other sorts of
props to enhance their appeal and overall customer base. Stop and Shop does currently
sell various store-brand items at a rate somewhat cheaper than the better-known brands.
In addition, they offer a unique gas savings incentive by allowing Stop and Shop card
members to accumulate points through various purchases to get discounts on gasoline
purchased at stations in front of their stores.
Customers simply need to swipe their cards upon entering the gas station in order to get
the discount per gallon.
This will act as an obvious incentive for most customers to stay with them. They are also
a much bigger chain than Market Basket, existing throughout all of the Northeastern
United States (including New York and New Jersey).
David McLean, Operations Manager of Market Basket, was present at the opening of the
Hooksett location but was not yet able to ascertain a date for the opening of the franchise
in Manchester. He said that there are still quite a few construction-related issues
(including unforeseen weather conditions) that could come into play and did not wish to
give an estimated date for opening. He said that any arbitrary timeline would be largely
uncertain.
Other local competitors such as Hannaford’s and Shaw’s will clearly be affected as well. In
any event, the expansion of Market Basket into Manchester and surrounding areas is and
will be a major economic factor in the local community.
