One thing that has been known to make Winthrop University unique compared to other schools is Eagle Express.
Eagle Express is the on-campus convenience store for Winthrop students and is located in Thomson Hall. Products such as snacks, T.V. dinners, medicine, drinks and personal hygiene items are sold there for students’ convenience. What makes it even more convenient is that students can purchase these items using a variety of methods including Café Cash, a credit or debit card, cash and even an Eagle Meal swipe for certain items. However, questions have been raised as to why some products are more expensive than what they are in other off-campus sites. After sitting down with dining services representative Bryan Harriss, these questions and more were answered.
“We do what we call zone pricing,” Harriss said after being asked how prices were determined. “So, Sodexo compares pricing from a regional standpoint of like items from like places. We compare ourselves to other local convenience stores. Eagle Express is its own stand-alone unit, and it’s one of our eight different operations that we have. The revenue that comes from that pays our employees and then we purchase inventory every single week, so every Thursday we get restocked.”
Even with this system, some items are priced higher than at other stores. For example, a family pack of Oreos that is usually priced at $3, give or take a few cents is going for $7. A mini bag of Tide Pods is priced at $8, which is not in line with pricing at other stores. However, Harriss said the prices aren’t necessarily permanent.
“If we found that we had items that were priced higher than what we thought they should be priced at, we could certainly take a look at that and determine the different pricing structures for the particular item across the board that we review our pricing annually to make sure that we’re fitting in with the zone that we’re in, regionally.” Harriss also encouraged students to contact Dining Services if they feel like the price of certain items should be modified. Some students shared their opinions on the prices, including Annslee Smith, a junior biology major.
“We pay a price for the convenience of having a store on campus, but I think it’s over the top,” Smith said. “I personally like the Starbucks frappuccino cold coffees. Those are priced at $3.09 a bottle, whereas buying them in bulk in other places is under $2 per bottle in most nearby stores. The price for a single drink is nearly doubled. The price of ramen noodles is also doubled in comparison to other nearby stores.”
Tina Carter, a junior accounting major, said that her opinion is that the prices at Eagle Express are too high.
“If I didn’t have Café Cash I would never go there to buy anything unless it was dire,” Carter said.
Harriss said that a few of the dining options on campus, including Starbucks, will add more options for Eagle Meals soon. Students will be able to purchase a drink, as well as another menu item (which has yet to be decided) and that will count as a meal. This Eagle Meal, however, will only be available at certain hours of the day.
Any questions, comments, or concerns can be directed to Dining Services at (803)-323-2211.
Photo: Anna Sharpe/ The Johnsonian
