Brunos: stores closing

[lfrh]

I read 4 Bruno's are closing in Alabama within 30-60 days :(

[tomdebala]

10 all together since they filed.

[lfrh]

I just left the store here and it was really depressing. I felt so bad for the employees, who were really down. The shelves were already looking sparse. Magazines, cards, etc had been emptied. I wonder how the sale will go? For the employees sakes, I hope it is not too quick.

[thickbluebug]

It's sad to see the old alabama grocery stores go under.

I did read about Kroger and piggly wiggly buying some of the stores. So maybe some employees will get to keep their jobs afer all.

[mccook]

I would love Kroger coming to my area...Pelham,AL. How can I find out this info???

[thickbluebug]

Don't know if the buyouts will go through. Bamalady posted a link to the article in the fw thread.

[brokenchina]

McCook, I am in Pelham, also. Brook Hollow. I love our new Publix on 52. And the CVS, too.

Hi Tina. Hi everyone.

Kathy

[DeepTrouble]

I haven't heard anything about the Bruno's in Gulf Shores or Orange beach,Al going out of business in my area. we just got a new publix and the 5/30 has been great.

[thickbluebug]

I went to the lakeshore/greensprings Brunos tonight. It was really sad. The shelves are half cleared. Signs up saying the shelving was for sale too.
The outside garbage cans even had sales prices on them.

[mama22qts]

Bruno's in Fairhope is still going strong, but the Food World across the street is closing soon.

[bamaprincess]

I went to one of our Bruno's that is closing today. I was surprised to find that they are still accepting coupons. (There was a sign on the door. I guess because the whole chain isn't closing-just selected stores.) They are not doubling, though.
I was able to get Enfamil Formula at 25% off and use my manufacturer's formula checks, too. That made for a decent deal.
The cashier said she "wasn't supposed to say" but that the next price change is Wednesday.
Also, when I checked out two coupons printed: one for $5 off $25 purchase and another for Free Southern Home 24-pack water to use at the Bruno's stores that aren't closing. I found some of these in the parking lot also, so I guess they must print out on all or most transactions.

[thickbluebug]

Thanks, I just assumed they weren't accepting coupons. Big mistake on my part.

[daridac]

Thanks for the info. I went to the one in Auburn over the weekend and did not used any coupons cause I thought they were not accepting them any more. Most shelf are half empty. What was left in there was cause it was overpriced. If they are lowering prices again on Wednesday, I will stop over.

[roosmommy]

Just an FYI... the Auburn store is still accepting coupons, but they have STOPPED doubling. This store used to double up to .60 (even though the printed info said up to .50) I went yesterday none of mine doubled. There is almost nothing left on the shelves, and I agree with Daridac what is left is outrageously priced.

[mama22qts]

I think this same info might apply to Food Worlds too. I'm going to stop in today and see if they have lowered any prices.

[bamaprincess]

This is what I found as far as prices today at the Bruno's that is closing.
Fresh Meats, Produce, Milk, Diary, etc: 10% off
General Grocery-Canned Goods, Baby, HBA, Pet Supplies, frozen foods, etc. 40% off
I found a few things that are 60% off: Vitamins, Candles, Mexican Foods (I have no idea, why just these), Sauces, Spices (I think) Sauce Packets (like chili seasoning mix, gravy,etc).
I realize that 40% off of the original retail price is not super great on some things (especially things that I can get bogo at Publix) so this is what I did: I bought things that I regularly buy, that are hardly ever on sale and don't generally have coupons. I bought all the Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter that they had. They ended up only 1.73 each. Which is way cheaper than what I normally pay.

I wonder if they will wait another week for the percentage to change again? Anybody have any ideas?

[thickbluebug]

Don't know about the next markdown bamaprincess
Great job

[daridac]

Thanks for the info bamaprincess. I was coming to post exactly the same as I just came back from my Bruno's. In here they also had 20% off in tobacco and still not discount in alcohol.

I also agree with the prices and discount not being enough to make me buy more. Today they did have milk (none left on Sunday) but it was priced at $3.99 for a gallon. With only 10% discount, it is no match to Kroger's $2.59 for the gallon (on sale this week).

Shelves were definitively more empty and they have move things around so that everything is concentrated in an area. However, not all the price tags have been shifted and it was quite difficult to find the original prices.

[roosmommy]

I had to take several things to the register to have the prices checked, and even with the discount, I left them there. Good prices on some seasonal mdse, but no rhyme or reason to the pricing i.e., Adorable plush (stuffed) animals big ones were .25 and a bag of Easter grass was 1.99...go figure

[daridac]

I passed today in front of our Brunos. It said that there are only 9 days left and they are closing after that.

[bamaprincess]

Heard through the grapevine that Tuesday is the next markdown (to 60%-on things that were 40%) and the last day is Saturday. A friend from work went this weekend and that is what she was told.

[bamaprincess]

Today what had been 40% off was 60% off. The few things that were 60% are now 80% off. Candles, sauce mix packets-those are all I can remember.
Produce, meat and dairy 20% off.

[bamaprincess]

From the Montgomery Advertiser:

Bruno's may close all stores | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090325/BUSINESS/903250338&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL)


Bruno's may close all stores

By Cosby Woodruff Although Bruno's Supermarkets said it is still searching for a buyer and has not decided to close its remaining stores, this week it has been taking steps for the possible liquidation of all its grocery stores in two months.
Finance experts were pessimistic about the stores' chances, saying it will be difficult for Bruno's to find a buyer during the current economic downturn and nearly impossible to find financing to allow it to continue operating.
That means the chain could close the remainder of its stores by mid-May.
Bruno's announced last month that it would close 10 stores -- including four in the central Alabama area -- as soon as merchandise could be cleared. On Tuesday, the chain insisted those are the only stores closing for now.
Still, Bruno's notified the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs that it is considering closing the remaining stores by May 17 if no buyer is found.
"Bruno's has no current plans to close stores beyond the 10 stores whose closings have already been announced and were approved by the bankruptcy court," the company said in a news release.
"However, because other Bruno's stores will close if they are not sold, to comply with federal law, Bruno's has notified its employees of the possibility of store closings. Bruno's is actively involved in efforts to sell its stores and preserve its employees' jobs."
John Jaherra, a finance professor at Auburn University, said Bruno's will not have an easy time finding a buyer.
"Economically, in terms of the general market, it could be very difficult," he said.
It is possible, he said, if Bruno's can find a bargain hunter.
"It could be viewed as a distress sale," he said. "There might be somebody out there looking to expand, and buying a network of stores might be a good idea."
In that case, Bruno's might get some value out of the company as a functioning business. Otherwise, it turns into a true liquidation sale that nets only the value of things like real estate and fixtures.
Three Montgomery area stores were not on the earlier closure list. Bruno's operates stores at 1635 Perry Hill and at 9168 EastChase Parkway. It also operates a Food World store at 1860 East Main Street in Prattville.
The company did not return calls seeking comment on the number of area workers who might be affected, but the stores average about 35 workers.

[mama22qts]

Well, that would leave me with Publix, Winn Dixie, and Walmart to shop at. Poo!

[bamaprincess]

More clearance shopping!

[bamaprincess]

Bruno's goes under; liquidation to start - WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL | (http://www.wsfa.com/global/story.asp?s=10266519)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - The Birmingham-based Bruno's Supermarkets is auctioning off all its assets. The auction is set for Wednesday.
It comes less than three months after the grocery chain filed for bankruptcy.
A federal judge on Monday refused a company request to void its contract with the United Food and Commercial Workers union.
Bruno's argued that the labor agreements are blocking a sale of the company, but the court agreed with a union to keep the contracts in place.
The union is planning a rally to coincide with the auction.
It said it wants to highlight the importance of selling Bruno's stores to a company that will protect jobs.
Bruno's Supermarkets has 56 Bruno's and Food World stores in Alabama and Florida and employs more than 4,000 people.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[mama22qts]

Ewwww so the auction is today. Wonder who will buy it?

[lfrh]

I just heard on the radio Southern Family Foods - not sure I got the name correct is buying Bruno's

[thickbluebug]

Spices are 40 %

Ez foil pans are 40 %

Beer and tobacco are 25%

[thickbluebug]

I am seeing signs at the registers stating no gift cards after 6/1

[bamaprincess]

Ad in newspaper todays says new price cuts today. Entire store 40-60% off.
FYI

[roosmommy]

Are any of the Montgomery, AL stores included?

[rdot]

Are any of the Montgomery, AL stores included?

I'm not sure of all stores but I know the Perry Hill Road store is going out of business.

[thickbluebug]

Check for signs at your stores. Food-World liquidation stores says final 2 days!

Reports have been that the liquidating stores sell for pennies on a dollar the last day.