<p> Sobeys is joining in on the recent surge of “express” format stores with IGA express, a cross between a supermarket, convenience store, and a fast food restaurant. Designed to help on-the-move shoppers grab a healthy meal no matter the hour, the new format offers products and packaging such as cut veggies in a container that fits a car’s cup holder. The first IGA express store is scheduled to open in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, in the Quebec City region, this month, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Claude Tessier, president of Sobeys Québec, explains, “We went in search of what was working best in the world and came back inspired to develop this winning formula for our customers. For us IGA express represents a revolution in the food industry. That’s why we’re planning to invest over 100 million dollars with our partners over the next five years to support the rollout of this concept throughout the province.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Perhaps the greatest feature of the new store will be the “Table ready in 20” section, which proposes meals to make at home in less than 20 minutes. The section will have all the ingredients right at the customers’ fingertips and will feature fresh products front and center. Need ready-to-cook vegetables? You can find it easily in this new section at the same regular IGA store prices.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “The choice to use the IGA name for this new grocery store concept sets the bar high for the banner,” says Christiane Locas, vice president of Sobeys Québec Multi-Banner Branch and one of the concept creators. “We want consumers to know that they’ll find the same quality products and services at an IGA express store that they do in larger IGA supermarkets. The IGA name is a guarantee of quality.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The IGA mini store, a smaller version of this new grocery concept, will also be opening soon. These stores are a smaller version, but customers can expect the same high quality in both store formats.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Other major retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, and most recently, Giant Eagle, have also been trying modern takes on the old neighborhood market. It appears as though this new concept will be a recurring trend throughout 2014. What can we expect to see from other retailers in the future?<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more comments and opinions.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.sobeyscorporate.com/en/Our-Company/Purpose.aspx" target="_new"> Sobeys </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
