In the grocery business, retailers are always trying to stay fresh. They have to offer fresh produce, fresh bakery products, and fresh milk.

They also have to offer a fresh look to keep up with the times. The Selma Food World has been in the midst of a re-design and update over the past few months and that work is just about complete now.

Located on Highland Avenue, the store has added 3,600 new items to its mix and Food World manager Kevin Meredith says those items are what his customers are asking for and buying.

Items that were collecting dust are gone now. “We used to stock caviar,” says Meredith. “We sold maybe one can a quarter and that was probably something that was dented and we returned to the supplier.”

Meredith, who has been at the store about a year, has made an effort to get close to the customer and find out what they need. Meredith says that has resulted in a more loyal and happy shopper.

“It’s my favorite place to shop,” says Gloria Murray of Selma. “Things are grouped together and easy to find. They make it easy for people who can’t walk very well.”

The Selma grocery business is competitive. Winn-Dixie has two popular stores in Selma located in prime retail areas. Wal-Mart sells groceries 24 hours a day and Calhoun Foods has a loyal following.

There are also successful niche retailers like Washington Street Market and Selma Curb Market.

In the past, the Food World suffered from poor lighting inside and an overall dingy appearance. The parent company has spent thousands of dollars on new lighting and a new security system that includes 22 cameras, including two cameras in the parking lot.

Meredith says this is for customer security.

The store also had most of its products re-arranged so that items commonly purchased together – like pasta and soup – easy to find.

“The store has definitely improved,” says Barney Caver of Burnsville. “It’s clean and things are more organized.”

Meredith says the remodeling isn’t done as the store is scheduled for interior paint.

Food World is part of the Bruno’s chain and Royal Ahold of Switzerland purchased Bruno’s last fall. The ownership appears dedicated to the Selma market.

“We want to be here,” Meredith says.

Food World will be having a customer appreciation barbecue daily Tuesday through Friday of this week.