While other large grocers like Albertson's have been forced by the recession to scale back, Save-a-Lot has been aggressively expanding. The company has strategically adapted empty big box stores, usually pairing up with another value-oriented retailer to split the large spaces.
"At the moment, it's possible to lease empty boxes at a 20 percent to 30 percent discount compared to their average rent in 2007, says [Scott Corbin, director-retail services with Colliers International]. In addition to being able to fill a vacancy, landlords are happy to bring in a supermarket tenant with good credit, he notes."
