In the mid 1990s the independent chains were purchased by food chains: National
purchased Alberts and Franklins purchased Shop Smart. Both were large chains
that incorporated the former independents in their organizations as separate
divisions with their own management and merchandising. Rivalry between the
two chains resulted in one of the lowest-cost food baskets in the state and high
levels of service. Workers bagging groceries at checkouts were common in
Rochester but rare elsewhere in the state. Also, shoppers in Rochester spent 15-20
percent less time in waiting checkout lines than in Boston. Shoppers in Rochester
had very few complaints about their choice of supermarkets.