There's a great thing about competition. It tends to make everything better.

Consider the supermarkets on the Upper West Side. With Whole Foods doing quite well at Columbus Circle, Fairway, although still tighter and more aggravating, has gotten its act together on checkout: they've crammed 9 express checkout lanes into one, and it actually works. You can pick up a few things and leave within 10 minutes.

Westside Market, on Broadway and 77th, has also improved. The cheese section is now vibrant and compelling. It seems easier to find things and their selection of fresh and prepared foods has gotten quite good.