COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - When you think of businesses or groups that have been adversely impacted by Michigan’s mild winter, grocery stores might not rise to the top of the list. But that’s the case for Spartan Stores, like the Family Fare in Coldwater, part of the Spartan chain of about 100 stores across the state.
The lower snowfall totals have impacted Spartan’s bottom line including third quarter comparable store sales down by nearly 2 percent compared to last year. Fourth quarter numbers are expected to slump as well withMichigan’s record low snowfall during November and December and the warm ups that have come following the measurable snows that did occur.
The company’s 28 Glen’s Market stores in northern Michigan have been hurt the most because that’s where winter tourism is a major industry and fewer people have been heading up north to ski or snow mobile. Winter Storm warnings and watches can also drive people to stores to stock up. Spartan officials also say that despite the recovering economy, shoppers at their stores still seem hesitant about spending.
On a brighter note, though, when they do spend, company C-E-O Dennis Eidson says they’re buying more Spartan brands and that brings a better profit margin. Eidson reports that will allow Spartan to introduce 400 more products, almost a 25% increase over 2011.
