Vons Enters Small Store 'Market'

Long Beach, Calif. Vons has launched a new concept store The Market in Southern California.

Vons said that it had been working on the format for more than a year, according to the OC Register. The Market opened a 15,000-sq.-ft. location in Belmont Shore and offers a scaled-down selection of groceries and a large variety of ready-to-eat meals.

Features of The Market are said to include an open-hearth fire pit, a large wine selection and a sandwich shop.

The small-format concept is popping up all over the Western region of the United States. Aside from Fresh & Easy, Wal-Mart also intends to open its Marketside stores in Arizona, which will offer ready-to-eat meals.