Confession - I spend more on groceries than I have to
It’s not the result of buying overpriced junk food or for being brand loyal at all cost. I’m willing to buy generic in order to save money. But much of the cost of groceries depends on the place you choose to shop and I know that I’m not choosing the lowest cost option.
There is a huge spectrum of stores that sell groceries, from the 99 cent store all the way to high end chains like Bristol Farms or Whole Foods. Many of them stock the exact same items, but with a huge variation in price. After all, the nickname Whole Paycheck had to come from somewhere.
Not All Stores are Created Equal
There is more to shopping than price, stores know that the shopping experience is important too. High end retailers aim for luxury, they want the customer to feel pampered. Warehouse stores fall at the other end of the spectrum, charmless and drab, but with impressive scale. Each caters to a different market and their prices reflect the overhead it costs to create each environment.
The area where we live offers another choice - ethnic markets. There are both Hispanic and Asian markets in the immediate neighborhood, go a little farther and you can find Middle Eastern, Indian and Jewish stores. They have the special spices and ingredients you need for exotic dishes for much less than a Kroger or Whole Foods. Produce and staples are usually cheaper too.
Price Versus Location
The places I choose to shop fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. I can’t justify the price of shopping at a high end grocer even though I appreciate the atmosphere. I also don’t enjoy the ambience of the cut rate grocers like Food 4 Less, despite the savings.
Instead I alternate between Trader Joes, Fresh and Easy, and Ralphs (Kroger). The stores are in a nearby town, a much nicer area than where we live. I wonder if that affects prices even within a single chain? Even though shopping there costs me more, I’m not willing to change. I have the luxury of choice and I’m comfortable shopping at these stores. If our circumstances change or we decide to cut back on expenses, I know an easy place to turn to. There are lower priced options when it comes to groceries and I’m choosing not to use them.
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7 comments:
I have found Ralphs saves me the most money on a regular basis over Albertsons and Vons. However, like you I won't try Stater Brothers, Food for Less, etc.
My regular stores are Ralphs, Trader Joe's and Costco although I do hit up the others if they have a lot of specials I could use that week.
What do you get at Fresh and Easy? I haven't been to one of those yet.
For me, Walmart is alot cheaper than Food 4 Less. I hate that store it makes me feel dirty because in Vegas, the crackheads shop there. I find myself alternating between Walmart, Trader Joes and Fresh N Easy. I like that their all within two miles of each other so I make a list and try my hardest to stick to it.
And for prices alternating between stores within the same chain, the Walmart by my work is in a very low economic area. Toliet paper is $1.00. Come to the Walmart by my house which is middle class and bam, toliet paper is 1.26. I'm declaring shananagins.
I agree. I used to shop at the same grocery store I had always gone to until I got mad at the customer service desk and vowed to never go back! Since then I started shopping around and I realize there is a lot of competition. My favorite store doesn't have a lot of different choices and closes early, so I shop there about every other week. If it's late at night I go to Wal-mart, cause it's open, but they also carry inexpensive items and have more choices. I just have to be careful about impulse buys!
I may soon be making a similar choice as you're describing. I've been a regular at No Frills (a Canadian chain). So far, they have provided most of what I needed, but lately, they've been cutting back on what I suppose are "frills" and this may force me to move up to the slightly pricier Superstore. Sad but true. I can't abide yucky produce and crummy selection, regardless of price...
@Bucksome - F&E is good for staples, like vegetable oil and canned goods, and has great prices on cheese. They often have good meat sales too. Their prepared foods are generally good, but not cheap.
@Serendipity - no walmart for me, i don't like them and there aren't any nearby. Interesting about the price differences, I wonder if I should switch to the ralphs one town down. A nice middle class area as opposed to our regular store in the high rent district.
@Hustler - we are terrible about impulse buys. We try to avoid temptation and only shop every 2 weeks.
@sarah - yeah I need a basic level of cleanliness and an inviting store. If the food looks sad and depressed, I don't want to be there.
You can lose a lot of money at the grocery store when you're in a hurry. It's good to know the prices of the things you buy frequently, so you know what Not to buy! My blog, by the way discusses food very often! It's one of my favorite subjects; in fact look at today's post titled
"Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks" you'll like it, and Come Back Often as a "follower" please. Clicking my name on this comment will take you there.
John DeFlumeri Jr, in Clearwater
i love your work and its surprisingly helped me and i am grateful for the information given..Thanks for sharing
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