Piggly Wiggly Food For Less has launched an Affordable Protein Initiative aimed at lowering meat prices at its 14 stores in Alabama, Georgia and Florida, the Sneads, Florida-based operator announced Aug. 5.
The program leans on four levers the company already uses: manufacturer partnerships, in-store meat processing, its proprietary Power Buy Program and a Cost Plus 10 percent pricing philosophy.
The move comes as protein pricing pressures reshape shopper behavior. A Blue Yonder survey released in July found 55 percent of U.S. consumers are buying less beef or have stopped entirely amid rising prices, the New World screwworm outbreak and trade disruptions, while one-third have increased overall protein purchases, shifting spending toward chicken, eggs and canned proteins.
“Meat is the centerpiece of almost every family meal,” said Kevin McDaniel, co-owner of Piggly Wiggly Food For Less. “If we can lower the cost of the main course, we’ve taken the biggest step toward helping families save at the dinner table.”
How the program works
The company said its Power Buy Program passes manufacturer promotional funding directly to shoppers rather than retaining it, with reduced prices held as long as promotional inventories and supplier costs allow.
“We know that when our costs go down, our customers’ prices go down,” said Cody McDaniel, co-owner. “Every promotional dollar belongs in our customers’ shopping carts, not on our balance sheet. Through our Power Buy Program, we pass 100 percent of manufacturer promotional funding directly to our customers and maintain those savings as long as promotional inventories and supplier costs allow. We grow our business by keeping our prices low, increasing sales volume, and earning our customers’ trust, not by increasing margins.”
Supplier terms tied to cost
The initiative carries direct implications for manufacturers and brokers calling on the chain. Suppliers that support the pricing model receive expanded shelf space, additional advertising, more in-store displays, featured promotions and exposure on the company’s social media channels, according to the announcement. Those that do not provide competitive costs see reduced shelf space or are discontinued.
In-store meat operations
The retailer operates full-service meat departments, where meat cutters process and cut fresh beef and pork in-store. Fresh poultry is packaged daily at each location. The company said the approach supports freshness and operational efficiency, with resulting savings passed to customers.
Stores are currently running two seasonal promotions timed to Labor Day and the start of football season. Hot Diggity Dog Hot Dog Fest features foot-long, all-beef, pork and chicken hot dogs, beer bratwurst, smoked sausage and Italian sausage. Fire Up That Grill/Rib Fest covers baby back, St. Louis-style, spare and country-style ribs, along with New York strip steaks, Certified Angus ground beef and ground chuck, and chicken wings, boneless thighs, breast tenders and whole fryers.
“Our mission has always been simple,” Kevin McDaniel said. “Deliver the highest-quality fresh meat at the best value possible. Every decision we make, from negotiating with manufacturers to cutting fresh beef and pork in our stores, packaging fresh poultry, and pricing our products, is centered on creating value for the families who trust Piggly Wiggly Food For Less every week. When our customers save money, everyone wins.”
Piggly Wiggly Food For Less is owned and operated by McDaniel Family Investments Inc. and is headquartered in Sneads, Florida. It operates 14 supermarkets in the Montgomery, Alabama, market, central and south Georgia and north Florida.