Walking into the Scottsdale Centre Save-On-Foods location, you’re not only greeted by friendly, professional staff, but you find yourself in a bit of awe at the vibrant colours of fresh produce; the variety of diverse products, both mainstream and South Asian; and the clean, organized store, which exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere.
With more than 100 stores in both British Columbia and 28 stores in Alberta, Save-On-Foods is an award-winning grocery store in Western Canada recognized for its exceptional customer service; food integrity and high standards; value, savings and rewards program; and providing produce and products from local growers and producers.
Save-On-Foods is part of the Overwaitea Food Group, which is Canada’s largest Western-based food store chain, proudly feeding families in over 100 communities in BC and AB. Overwaitea operates nearly 150 stores under Save-On-Foods, Overwaitea Foods, Cooper’s Foods, Urban Fare, PriceSmart Foods and Bulkley Valley Wholesale banners. Overwaitea’s first store was originally located in New Westminster, and the organization will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2015 – quite a testament to its longevity in quality, selection and customer satisfaction.
“What sets us apart at Overwaitea Food Group is our staff and how much they care about their customers. At the Scottsdale Centre Save-On-Foods location, my team has been here for years and they go out of their way to make customers not only feel welcome, but to ensure that their needs are met for a stress-free and happy shopping experience,” says Scottsdale Manager Sarb Pannu, who has been with the organization for 24 years.
A few years ago, Save-On-Foods began to create customized concept stores, which offered products and services unique to the community it served. In the North Delta/Surrey area, the Scottsdale store is a great example, as it was the pioneer location to start offering South Asian produce, products and brands in demand by the community, says Jas Athwal, Director, Ethnic Merchandising, who is a longstanding organization member with 27 years of experience.
Athwal recognized the growing needs of the South Asian community and was instrumental in bringing this concept to fruition at Scottsdale. “It’s really important for us to give our customers what they want, and in this case, customers had made multiple requests for enhanced offerings in certain communities.
Now, the Save-on-Foods Scottsdale location has the largest South Asian offering and in fact, it did so well that we are now meeting requests for concept stores throughout Surrey and the Lower Mainland to as far as Edmonton.”
He goes on to credit OFG President Darrell Jones and Vice-President, Merchandising & Ethnic Development Blendle Scott for their support and recognition of the concept to enhance offerings for specific communities. “What you see today at our Scottsdale location is one of the nicest main-stream grocery stores on Scott Road, which offers a range of South Asian products, including our popular Sundar line, authentic produce, marinated meats, eggless bakery products from bread and naan to cakes and pastries and recognized South Asian brands.”
Pannu adds to this sentiment, “Our concept stores are unique, and there is not anything like this in the market. At Save-On-Foods, we wanted to create one convenient location, so that our customers would not have to shop at multiple locations, but could save time, money and purchase the very best in mainstream and South Asian groceries under one roof.”
Save-On-Foods is recognized for its wide selection of Western Family brand products, and the organization created its own brand, a spin-off of Western Family, called Sundar that brings South Asian flavours to all customers. Athwal says the Sundar brand is available in over 100 stores, and this high calibre product line offers a range of items from authentic spices to beans and flour. And, Save-On-Foods plans to expand the Sundar product line in the near future, adds Athwal.
Recognized for providing local produce and products, it is important for Save-On-Foods to support growers and producers in British Columbia. “It’s the backbone of our society, it’s who built this company in the beginning and it’s who built this province and I think just to keep that bond, keeps BC tight,” says Pannu adding “We are seen as local, so if you’re bringing in produce from another country versus here, many customers don’t want that, as they have family and friends, who are local growers and producers, and they want you to support them as well. It’s important for us to support the local community and maintain those relationships.”
“In terms of service, our mission is simple – it’s placing our customers first and showing our commitment to providing a great customer service experience,” says Athwal. Save-On-Foods offers one of the best rewards programs – More Rewards – in the west, and customers can accumulate points with each purchase that can be redeemed instantly for in-store savings on groceries and household items or on a wide variety of valuable rewards from travel to electronics. “This is a bonus for customers, who are earning points while shopping, which can be redeemed for complimentary items later,” adds Pannu.
With Vaisakhi coming up in April, Save-On-Foods will showcase the largest Vaisakhi displays and “the best in-store pricing anywhere in the marketplace, plus look out for us during the Nagar Kirtan, which we have participated in the last 5-6 years, and make sure you come by and say ‘Hi,’” adds Athwal.
Those looking for convenience; variety of diverse products, both mainstream and South Asian from local growers and producers; exceptional customer service; food integrity and high standards; value, savings and rewards program; and clean, organized stores, need to look no further than Save-On-Foods and the Overwaitea Food Group chain of stores. Drop by the Scottsdale Centre Save-On-Foods to be amazed by its one-of-a-kind selection.
Save-On-Foods
Scottsdale Centre
7015 120 St, Surrey, BC V4E 2A9
Tel:(604) 596-2944
www.saveonfoods.com
