“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ As a visitor from San Diego, I have to say McKay's Market on S. 7th Street is one of those grocery stores that makes you wish you had one back home. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the produce department. It is an absolute work of art. Everything is beautifully displayed, pristine, organized, and meticulously stacked. Whoever is running that department is absolutely crushing it and clearly takes tremendous pride in their work. It may be one of the most impressive produce sections I've seen in a grocery store. The rest of the store is equally impressive—clean, tidy, well-stocked, and filled with a fantastic selection of products. I also loved seeing McKay's branded merchandise throughout the store. It's a nice touch that reinforces the local community feel. But the real MVP here is the fried chicken in the deli. Wow. That chicken is absolutely out of control—in the best possible way. Crispy, flavorful, and worth a trip all by itself. If you're shopping here and don't grab some fried chicken, you're doing it wrong. I also learned that McKay's is 100% employee-owned, and honestly, it shows. Everyone I encountered was friendly, helpful, and seemed genuinely invested in providing a great customer experience. There's a level of pride throughout the store that you just don't see very often anymore. Make sure to sign up for their rewards program and earn points while you shop. I'm actually a little annoyed that we don't have a McKay's in San Diego because I'd be there all the time. Until then, this will be a mandatory stop every single time I'm in Coos Bay. Highly recommended.”
Walmart just launched Realm, its new 3D online shopping platform. To help you visualize what that means, imagine a virtual mall packed with bright colors, wacky landscapes, and cartoon avatars wandering around. Realm lets you browse "digital doubles" of real Walmart products by navigating through several make-believe worlds. "We believe this is the future of commerce," said Justin Breton, who leads brand experiences at Walmart. "It won't replace our website or app, but will complement them."
Target's new low-cost brand Dealworthy is rolling out this month in stores and online. With items starting at under $1, it is aimed at budget-conscious shoppers. The low prices on basics like phone chargers, paper plates and underwear will likely appeal.
Walmart is growing the number of its physical stores across America. The retail giant announced plans to open 150 new U.S. stores over the next five years while remodeling 650 current locations. This ambitious plan shows Walmart is still confident in real stores, even with online shopping booming. The chain currently operates over 10,000 stores nationwide.
Popular Florida-based grocery chain Publix is venturing into uncharted territory - Kentucky. Come 2024, Publix will unveil its inaugural Bluegrass State locations, comprising six stores sprinkled between Louisville and Lexington.
