HEB Plus

HEB is not sitting still while Wal-Mart takes over San Antonio.  The historic San Antonio grocer is expanding its operations to convert more traditional stores into Plus stores.  Plus, in this sense, means “you’ll find thousands of new surprises throughout the store” according to the HEB Plus website.  We translate this to they have more stuff.  HEB opening itself up to retail product lines is a little strange to me.  I understand what they’re doing, but all of their retailing has an HEB feel to it.  For example, they have big screen tvs, but they aren’t really mainstream.  There are some name-names, but they don’t rise to the level of Wal-Mart.  My sense is HEB wants to put itself on the same platform as a Wal-Mart super store, but not at the price it takes.  HEB hopes that it will appear they are a one-stop shop, but we’ll see if San Antonio buys into that.