EL REY VERSUS SUPER 99, The Second Round

Now that Super 99 has been open since the beginning of April, we thought it time to do another comparative shopping spree to see how things have changed.  We used the same list with revised prices so that you can see exactly what and where prices have increased or decreased! In our household, both my husband and I shop for groceries, and we have noted that during the last couple of months, Super 99 has increased prices substantially.  However, for the most part they have managed to stay lower than El Rey.  Also, we have spoken to many people who live in the Playa Communities, and the general comments seem to indicate that while Super 99 got off to a good start, keeping up with the competetion has been more of a challenge.  In order to find the brands we like and to get the best value for our money, we shop at both Super 99 and El Rey.  However, I have spoken with a few Panamanians, most of whom shop at only one store, and their preference is El Rey!  Quite a surprise for me, as I thought that the selection offered at Super 99 was more ‘local’ oriented.  Perhaps they prefer El Rey because the entrance into the Coronado Mall is still disorganized or the fact that Super 99 feels far away because there is no other shopping at Coronado Mall as yet.  I asked a few people where they like to shop and why. Here are the reasons:  

El Rey has a bakery onsite where you can see the items without getting into a cafeteria line. 

The bakery at El Rey is located near the bread and milk, items which you always have to get. This makes it easier to check what is new in the bakery.

El Rey also has a better selection of packaged baked goods, even though they are still lacking  in a selection of full-grain breads. 

The produce department at El Rey is better organized and the fruits and vegetables are better displayed.  I am not sure that there are more choices at El Rey, but they rank higher than Super 99 because of consistency in freshness and the fact that you do not need to have the produce weighed before going to the cash register.
Also, when purchasing a produce item at Super 99 that already has a price tag, be sure that the tag has been put on properly for the scanner.  Twice I have had to return to have the price verified because the scanner could not pick up the numbers. Plus, I had to wait for someone to go check the price while I was holding up the line at the cash register!  However, at El Rey the problem is that the produce is not identified and you are at the mercy of the cashier to know the proper code, and then you will be charged accordingly. The wrong code punched in and your pineapple can cost you more than $10.00!

At Super 99, the meat department is always ‘hit or miss’.  Sometimes the fresh meat and fish displays are full and well-maintained; other times, they look like a dumping ground for what is left.  When the counters are left empty with melting ice, it creates a doubt about the freshness of the other items on display.

Super 99 has a greater selection of prepared frozen meals than El Rey. This caters to many people at the beaches who do not like to cook and prefer the convenience of prepared food, particularly the weekenders.  I prefer to cook my own food, so I don’t shop in the frozen section. I have noted, however, that the price for convenience is high.  One thing that we do appreciate at Super 99 is that the frozen goods are close to the check-out area so the ice cream has a better chance of getting home before melting!

El Rey has a larger store and has a better selection of products.  Super 99 tends to have a lot of the same products on the shelf just filling space.  They would probably be better served if they increased the selections. 

El Rey wins hands down in the ‘drinks’ section. They have a much better selection of wines, beers, alcoholic beverages, and canned sodas!

Since Super 99 has only been open for a short time, you expect that everything is fresh and that you do not have to worry about the expiration date like you do at El Rey.  You do need to check!

Both stores seem to have a problem with having the prices displayed in a comprehensive manner.  Often at El Rey the price displayed is different than the price at the check-out.

Both stores are terrible about leaving distribution carts in the rows, making the corridors a little difficult to navigate.

I do not like the common practice here of leaving the shopping carts in-front of the check-out and crowding the space where people are waiting in line.  It’s the same at both stores.

We have noticed that Super 99 has opened (or will soon open) an area for payment of bills and has also moved their location for newspapers to the entrance of the store. 

Please let us know if you have any comments!  Here is the price comparison chart:

X =  SAME PRICE

N/A= NON AVAILABLE AT TIME OF VERIFICATION