Stores

Both Sprouts Farmers Markets and Trader Joe’s are known for mostly selling all-natural foods at low prices. But is one different or cheaper than the other? More specifically, is Sprouts better than Trader Joe’s?

Generally, Sprouts is not better than Trader Joe’s except they do have full-service meat & seafood and bakery departments. But Trader Joe’s is usually cheaper, and unlike Sprouts does not carry products with artificial ingredients.

But that’s just a quick snapshot. And “better” is also a subjective term.

So in this article, we’re looking at both Trader Joe’s and Sprouts Farmers Markets extensively and comparing both of them. That way you get a clear picture of both and can decide which one is better for your needs.

Let’s get started with one of the most vital questions.

Is Trader Joe’s cheaper than Sprouts Farmers Market?

Yes, Trader Joe’s is cheaper than Sprouts Farmers Market. Sprouts often has a few rock-bottom deals they feature prominently, but on average, Trader Joe’s is almost always less expensive than Sprouts across the entire store.

It’s true both grocery stores offer natural, organic products, but Trader Joe’s inventory is more streamlined.

You won’t get as much variety as you would at Sprouts, but this is one of the reasons it’s cheaper, as has been confirmed over and over again. For example, if you want dijon mustard, at TJ’s you’re not likely to find more than 1 or 2 brands. 

But at Sprouts, you might find 3 or 4 brands.

Sprouts prices started out being about 20% lower than Whole Foods. But as you know, Amazon bought Whole Foods a few years ago, and its prices were reduced.

In fact, right now, Sprouts prices are on the average 1.3% higher than Whole Foods! And, Whole Foods prices tend to be a tad high. (source)

This will give you an idea of why Trader Joe’s prices are still a bargain relative to Sprouts.

You won’t find most brand name products at TJ. After all, we all know there’s always a charge for the goodwill in the brand name. But, the quality of what’s on offer is high. So, it’s not as if you’re buying low-quality products at bargain prices.

One of the most authoritative sites, checkbook.org, reveals that TJ’s prices were:

• 18% lower than other stores selling comparable products
• 21% lower for produce
• 17% lower for meat

In simple terms, all things being equal, it means that if you need $100 to shop at Sprouts, you’ll only need $82 at Trader Joe’s.

Great. But, how do Sprouts compare to Whole Foods?

In a recent article of mine, that’s precisely what I explored. In it, I looked at whether Sprouts is owned by Whole Foods, is Sprouts a good grocery store, is Sprouts produce cheaper than Whole Foods, is Sprouts all organic or all-natural, and I wrapped it up with which store has better meat.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Tons of meat and produce at Trader Joe’s too. And a full restock of frozen stuff happening now. pic.twitter.com/H8TZqpLPcB

— Erin Powell (@erinepowell) March 19, 2020

Is Trader Joe’s meat good quality?

Meat at Trader Joe’s is good quality. However, because they do not have in-house butchers, everything is cut and pre-packed elsewhere, making the offerings limited and making custom cuts of meat impossible.

Overall, TJ’s is a fantastic grocery store.

In a report quoted by CNBC, it’s the highest-ranking grocery store chain in the country. It has a great selection at highly affordable prices. 

Now, there’s nothing wrong with prepackaged meat, if that’s what you want.

But, sometimes, low-quality meat gets prepackaged or marinated to hide the inferior quality! And the highest-quality meat you’ll get at TJ is sometimes too pricey.

So, I’ll suggest you buy your meat elsewhere, aside from basics such as chicken breast or ground beef. But, where, you ask?

But which grocery store has the best quality meat?

I took the time to research and write-up my findings in a recent article of mine. In it, not only did I answer that question, but I also covered if prime is worth the money, and how to pick steak at a grocery store.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Beginning tomorrow, April 29, our stores will be open 7am-10pm to ensure you can get the good-for-you groceries you need. pic.twitter.com/NHVonS4LDn

— Sprouts (@sproutsfm) April 28, 2020

Does Sprouts have a better selection than Trader Joe’s?

Yes, Sprouts does have a better overall selection than Trader Joe’s. They are generally a much larger store, with more products, in-house butchers and bakers, and have produce that is not pre-packaged.

The following are the main sections at Sprouts aside from the grocery aisles:

• Produce
• Butcher shop & seafood section
• Dairy section
• Bakery
• Full-service deli counter
• Frozen food
  Bulk section
• Health and body care section
• Beer and wine

Sprouts sell over 11,000 items. It has more of a grocery store ambiance than Trader Joe’s.

Trader Joe’s, on the other hand, sells organic foods, gourmet foods, vegetarian foods, domestic and imported wine and beer, imported foods, paper products, flowers, and ‘alternative food items…

TJ’s sells about 4,000 different items, including wine at rock bottom prices.

In fact, a huge chunk of TJ’s selection is its own private label products. Customer service at TJ’s is minimal to keep the prices low, and there are no full-service sections.

If you’re seeking low prices, Trader Joe’s is better, but if you want a place where you’ll get virtually everything you need under one roof, go for Sprouts Farmers Market.

Great. But how does Trader Joe’s compare with Shoprite?

That’s what I explored in a recent article of mine. In the article, I looked at Trader Joe’s and Shoprite’s’ prices, who have more organic produce, and who has the best meat (the answer to which blew my mind!).

Just click the link to read it on my site.

at Trader Joe’s – View on Path. #pan #panism #photography http://t.co/ZhaXzGIdQl pic.twitter.com/x0j37Mqnc7

— pan chan panism (@panism) January 19, 2015

Is the produce at Sprouts better than Trader Joe’s?

Produce sold at Trader Joe’s is of lower quality than Sprouts. It is not as fresh and tends to spoil faster. More importantly, though, Trader Joe’s produce is all prepackaged meaning they don’t sell anything that has to be weighed, nor do they sell just 1 of an item such as avocados.

TJ’s avoids individual produce as that generally has to be weighed. That incurs costs of scales at the cash registers and in the produce department. It also means training the cashiers on produce codes, all of which increases the cost.

So they avoid all that to keep prices low.

But, truth be told, the produce at Sprouts is better, fresher, and you’ll get a lot more variety. At TJ’s, items such as broccoli, greens, and peppers are often old.

On the whole, Trader Joe’s products are good and inexpensive, but if I were you, I’d pass on the produce.

The above is not just my opinion, it is something you can validate yourself, and it’s been reported in many blogs, websites, and even by some of the staff who work there.

And the produce at TJ’s is not exactly cheap since you generally are having to buy larger quantities of items than you might normally. If I do buy produce at TJ’s, it would be things like limes, lemons, or avocados, and I check the packages thoroughly to make sure none are already moldy.

So, why would you want to pay more for low quality? On the other hand, the produce at Sprouts is fresh, there’s a great selection, and they’re affordable to boot.

Having a Sprouts Farmers Market close by makes it so convenient to shop fresh produce! 🍅🍆🍏📷: @fitness_felines #Sprouts #Highlands32 #Denver pic.twitter.com/Hfho1nvfgk

— Highlands32 (@highlands32apts) June 20, 2017

Is Sprouts a good store?

Sprouts Farmers Market is a mediocre grocery store that intentionally creates its decor to imply that they are a natural foods store similar to Whole Foods Market. However, unlike Whole Foods, Sprouts does sell some items with artificial ingredients.

As reflected in its name, its aspiration is to be “more of a farmers market than a grocer.”

It was conceived as a way to make healthy food accessible to all, even those from low-income groups. We know that natural, organic food is often expensive because it’s more tasking and costly to use purely natural strategies to grow crops and rear animals.

In theory, the company wants people to eat healthy even if they’re not wealthy.

But in truth, I suspect they pick their locations not so much because they want to cater to lower-income families, and more because the rent will be cheaper.

And with as much as 10% of its products not being all-natural despite their stores being made to look like a Whole Foods circa 1992, it feels a little misleading to me.

But I do think Sprouts have their place. 

They do have locations in areas where Whole Foods Market is not likely to build stores, making it more convenient for many. And as long as you go in with the understanding that not everything is cheaper or all-natural, you can still find decent quality products at good prices.

Conclusion

In this article, I compared Sprouts Farmers Market with Trader Joe’s.

I looked at which one has lower prices, which one has good quality produce. I also looked at the selection. Can you get everything you want to buy at Trader Joe’s? Unfortunately, no.

I also looked at what kind of store Sprouts really is. Ultimately, if both stores were side by side in my neighborhood, I would probably find myself shopping at both.

But I would probably be in Trader Joe’s more often.

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Photos which require attribution:

Trader Joe’s by Mike Mozart and Sprouts Farmers Market on Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA by Littletung are licensed under CC2.0 and CC3.0 respectively

Sprouts Farmers Markets has the look and feel of an early 90’s health food store. But is it just for show or are they the real deal? And more specifically, is Sprouts Farmers Market really organic?

Sprouts Farmers Market sells many products that are not organically-grown. In fact, unlike their main competitors, they even have some products with artificial colors, flavors, and/or preservatives.

So as you can probably tell, I’m not a big fan of Sprouts.

As I mentioned, they intentionally made the look and feel of their stores mirror what most Whole Foods stores looked like in 1992. But while they do certainly have a lot of all-natural products, and some organically-grown products, their style is more marketing gimmick than a core value.

Look around the store, especially the bulk foods, and you’ll see lots of candies with artificial colors, and other products elsewhere around the store that you wouldn’t ever see at a Whole Foods Market.

So today, we’ll explore just how much of that stuff they have, and how much organically-grown stuff they have, so you can decide if it’s worth shopping there or not.

Let’s dive right in!

Is Sprouts an organic brand?

No, Sprouts is NOT an organic brand. While their stores and their private label products do have many items that are organically-grown, they also sell a lot of products that are not organic, and even some that aren’t even all-natural.

The company, which operates 340 stores in 22 states, has a mission to encourage people to eat well, even those from low-income backgrounds. Its motto is “healthy food for less.”

And it’s true. You can find lots of fairly healthy products in their stores, some for less than you would find on the shelves at Whole Foods Market.

But they are far from all-organic (granted neither is Whole Foods or most grocery stores). In fact, Sprouts Farmers Market claim that “About 90 percent of the products we carry are natural or organic.” But they don’t break down the percentage between natural and organic.

In my experience in shopping their stores, I tend to see the organic items at the entry to Produce and other departments, as well as rock-bottom prices. Then as you make your way through the departments, I often find most products are not organically-grown.

You’re probably wondering how Sprouts compare to Whole Foods.

Well, that’s what I explored in a recent article of mine. I did a detailed comparison of the 2, including which one is actually cheaper (hint: it’s not the one you think).

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Another 30,000 ft.² leased in Wilmington. This time by Sprouts Farmers Market at 4801 Concord Pike. Sprouts is currently hiring 140 new employees for a March 11, 2020 opening. https://t.co/9itpM2upl5#WillsInWilm #InWilm #wilmington #netde #delaware #officespace #ItsTimeWilmDE pic.twitter.com/7vKgYgkmBG

— Wills Elliman (@WillsElliman) December 23, 2019

What kind of store is Sprouts?

Sprouts Farmers Market is a supermarket chain, headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona that focuses mostly on natural and organic foods at lower prices than some of its competitors. They do also sell vitamins, and supplements, beer & wine, and a few products that have artificial ingredients.

A typical store is about 30,000 square feet, and it has a workforce of approximately 35,000 employees. And, it’s on the list of Forbes 100 Most Admired Companies.

It reminds you of how Whole Foods looked like around the early 90s.

Both are into healthy grocery, and they have a similar selection. It’s a publically-owned company that’s traded on the stock market under the ticker SFM. It’s been described as “Whole Foods Lite.”

The CEO explained in an interview that the company had noticed a significant shift towards organic products, grass-fed beef, and specialist chicken. Sprouts’ target markets are innovation seekers and those who are health conscious.

It has its produce section, butcher shop, dairy section, bakery shelves, full-service deli counter, frozen food section, bulk section, health and body care section, vitamin department, and even a beer and wine section. An impressive selection, if you ask me.

On the whole, it’s a good store.

But, the prices are not the lowest in town. Aldi offers the lowest prices, and it’s vital to stress that it’s not true that their products are 100% organic. It has products that, contrary to how it presents itself, still contain artifical colors, flavors, and/or preservatives.

I am not suggesting that they are dishonest, but I do think it’s a little misleading as most people probably assume they don’t sell those things.

Paleo Perfection!

BBQ organic chicken thighs (from Sprouts farmers market – u can tag them) Over sautéed cauliflower rice, mushrooms, Italian squash, onions and garlic.#paleo #RecipeOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/ngRqeNOpCV

— jillbrownfitness (@jillbrownfitnes) July 12, 2018

Where does Sprouts get their chicken and meat?

Sprouts’ chicken and other meat are sourced from the US and grass-fed beef from Uruguay. It also offers USDA Choice Natural Beef that’s been fed with grain and corn.

Its chicken is described as “farm-fresh,” whatever that means.

Fortunately, they offer an organic alternative but, their pork and lamb are simply described as “natural.” which has no legal definition.

Sprouts offerings in the other parts of its store are impressive, but its chicken and meat are not exactly compelling.

This might lead one to speculate about which grocery store has the best chicken.

But there’s no need for speculations. I took the time to research and write the answer in a recent article of mine. In the article, I looked at the major grocery stores and their offerings, which has the best chicken brand and which grocery store has the best rotisserie chicken.

I also included tips on buying chicken from the grocery stores and if there are chicken brands to avoid. I even shared a nugget about steak and prime.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Opportunity Is Sprouting At Sprouts Farmers Market https://t.co/QsQ4Wwgv9c pic.twitter.com/uWAu6qkw34

— ASOII (@ASOIideas) November 24, 2020

Does Sprouts only sell organic produce?

Approximately 60% of Sprouts Farmers Market’s produce is organically grown. So almost half of their produce is not organically grown. The number of organic items varies from store to store but would typically be around 120 items (out of about 200). 

Of course, the organically grown items will often be front and center of the store and department.

This can give the impression that everything is organic when that’s just not the case. If you’re preferring organic, you will see a lot, and you may see both organic and non-organic varieties of the same thing.

Not everything not organically grown has a ton of pesticides though. Here’s a handy list of what’s called the Dirty Dozen – the 12 items that are the most sprayed with pesticides. If you have to choose, opt to buy these organic when possible:

• Strawberries
• Spinach
• Nectarines
• Apples
• Peaches
• Pears
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Celery
• Tomatoes
• Sweet bell peppers
• Potatoes

You might be wondering if Sprouts have a curbside pickup?

I explored that in a recent article of mine. In the article, I looked at how curbside pickup works at Sprouts, the cost, how to order groceries from the store, whether it’s expensive, and I even mentioned something about getting alcohol delivered to you.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

I am at Sprouts Farmers Market do u guys want anything ? pic.twitter.com/CGqwWQw31N

— hue (@RaphaelEatbooks) September 26, 2019

Why is Sprouts so expensive?

Sprouts Farmers Market is more expensive than conventional grocery stores due to its focus on natural and organically grown foods. However, they can sometimes also be more expensive than Whole Foods Market due to their much smaller buying power.

So, it’s ultimately a question of either quality or how much of any 1 item they can purchase compared to their competitors.

Specifically, against its biggest competitor, Whole Foods Market, Sprouts has 340 stores compared to Whole Foods 500 stores. And that’s to say nothing of the 20% price drop that happened at Whole Foods when they got bought by Amazon in 2017.

Sprouts, ultimately, just can’t compete with the buying power. As a result, many of their products will be priced higher.

Speaking of the best quality, which store has the best steak?

I also took the time to research and write-up my findings in a recent article of mine. I get into whether USDA prime is worth the money, which supermarket has the best quality meat, and even how to pick the best steak at a grocery store.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored what kind of store Sprouts is.

Specifically, whether it’s really an organic brand, and how much of their products are actually organically grown or all-natural. 

In truth, while they do sell some items that are made with artificial ingredients, they do mostly sell natural and organic items. And they place their stores in lower-income areas you’re less likely to find stores like Whole Foods Market, helping them live up to their mission statement.

Both Wegmans and Fairway grocery chains have many loyal fans that rave about their great products, pricing, and service. Fairway has been dubbed “New York’s favorite grocery store,” while Wegmans has been ranked as America’s favorite grocery store by Consumer Reports. But which is better? Let’s explore Wegmans vs Fairway.

Wegmans and Fairway are hugely competitive with each other on price and quality. Fairway has more affordable pricing while Wegmans have better quality produce and meat. But with Wegmans having over 100 stores, Fairway simply can’t compete following their bankruptcy in 2020.

But that’s just a quick snapshot.

And that doesn’t even go deeply into Fairway’s somewhat recent bankruptcy and restructuring. That led to a number of stores closing, and several being bought by different companies including Amazon.

I’ll let you into more of my extensive research and settle this debate.

Is Fairway Cheaper than Wegmans?

No, Fairway is slightly more expensive than Wegmans. Wegmans is not the least expensive grocery store though and is actually 9% more expensive than Whole Foods. By comparison, Fairway has higher prices than both Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

(source) & (source)

We all know Whole Foods is dubbed “a whole paycheck” for a reason. But that’s changed a lot since they got bought by Amazon in 2017.

Wegmans has been ranked several times as America’s favorite grocery store.

They have a cult-like fan base, the friendliest employees, and excellent quality for a reasonable price. But just how much more expensive is Wegmans than Whole Foods?

Here’s my recent article on Whole Foods versus Wegmans. I’ll compare Wegmans to both the cheapest and most expensive grocery stores. This is a must-read!

Just click that link to read it on my site.

With over a hundred stores, their own distribution channel, and their own terrific brand, Wegmans seems to be the cheapest of the two.

However, it also depends on what you’re looking for. Let’s take a closer look below.

Fairway 

Fairway is more of a specialty grocery store with a vast selection of produce, meat, and specialty items like Kosher and Halal chicken.

They offer a solution to those hard to find items on your grocery list that are not in a traditional grocery store. Though not as insanely expensive as Whole Foods, Fairways prices are actually not that far from Wegmans.

They are offering things that few other grocery stores will, so of course, it will cost a little extra to shop there.

Fairway is the place to buy gourmet cheeses, organic and natural products, store roasted coffee, and imported products at a reasonable price.

If you prefer national brands, buying them on sale and with a coupon from Fairway will actually save you money compared to Wegmans. Fairway has a much larger selection of national brands.

Wegmans

Wegmans is more of a one-stop-shop. They both have excellent service and products, but I needed to take a more in-depth look at which one is better.

The majority of Wegmans house-brand products are affordable, but it can be costly to purchase national brands. 

Staple items such as canned foods and paper products are easily cheaper at Wegmans because most of their items are private label and not national brands.

Meat and produce at Wegmans are of good quality, and they not only own their own distribution but grow most of their produce themselves. This allows them to keep their prices low and remain competitive in the market.

You could overall save a lot more at Wegmans if you sign up for their rewards program, Shoppers Club. You’ll get exclusive member-only deals and points on every purchase.

.@Wegmans produce was so abundant this morning around noon. #twithaca. #GroceryWorkers Thank you! pic.twitter.com/P5enlrFTzi

— Celia Clarke (@sceliaclarke) March 21, 2020

Does Wegmans have better produce than Fairway?

Both Wegmans and Fairway have excellent produce, sourced from local farms, but Wegmans’ quality is superior. Wegmans also puts a greater emphasis on organically-grown produce.

But let’s take a closer look at the produce quality of both grocers.

Wegmans source their produce from small family-owned farms that are only a few miles from their stores. These farms are certified organic and must follow strict guidelines for their produce.

While Wegmans doesn’t list all 400 partnering farms’ names, there are many mentions of their suppliers. Many of the family-owned farms have been with Wegmans for more than a decade.

Like Wegmans, you can find beautifully arranged produce at Fairway.

They offer a wide selection of both international and locally grown produce. And by wide, I mean at least five different types of chili at any given time. They also have a wide selection of imported exotic fruits and vegetables. Here’s the downside, Fairway’s produce is not among the cheapest in the industry.

It’s sometimes more expensive than shopping at Whole Foods.

Whole Foods and Fairway are both more than traditional grocery stores. Here’s my recent article on Whole Foods versus Fairway. I cover significant comparisons between the two and conclude which is better.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Since its retail debut, the @ImpossibleFoods Burger has remained the #1 packaged item sold at Gelson’s stores and the top single item sold in Fairway’s meat department at two New York City locations. But will this early enthusiasm be sustained? https://t.co/RvTfaWfoQq pic.twitter.com/324Ab9TqDP

— Elaine Watson (@EWatsonWrites) October 1, 2019

Does Fairway have better meat than Wegmans?

Wegmans offers a wider variety of locally-sourced meat, pork, and poultry than Fairway. But while both Wegmans and Fairway offer USDA Choice beef, Fairway tends to have more USDA Prime beef. Both stores also feature in-house butchers.

So basically, I’m saying both have great meat departments but tend to specialize in different ways.

If you know your meat like I do, you know an “organic” label will not guarantee that you are getting good meat. Wegmans has organic offerings, but the best part is that their cattle are grass-fed. Wegmans’ suppliers grow the majority of their forage, pasturage, corn, and hay.

Grass-fed beef is definitely the best option, and Wegmans offers it at affordable prices.

Wegmans’ sources Humane Association Certified pork from Lowell Sensenig, a 14th generation farmer. Poultry at Wegmans is hormone and antibiotic-free, and they also offer wild caught bluefish, monkfish, tuna, and many others.

Fairway also has some good meat.

They use USDA Prime to make their Dry-Aged Prime steaks. Fairway has great sausages too, which are made from corn-fed pigs.

You should definitely try their ground beef for both burgers and meatloaves! Their beef is only ground once. If you’re looking for specialty cuts like boneless chuck flap tail or those from Kosher meat, then Fairway is the store to shop.

Want to know which grocery store has the best steak?

Here’s my recent article where I compare the meat quality of top grocers. You’ll be surprised what you didn’t know about steaks.

Click that link to read it on my site!

Grocery store @Wegmans plans site on Raleigh’s Wake Forest Road between I-440 and Six Forks Road, near Trader Joe’shttps://t.co/lAflWCSMHs pic.twitter.com/zbRdSIvTSN

— The News & Observer (@newsobserver) October 26, 2016

How many stores does Fairway Market have compared to Wegmans?

Fairway, at its peak, had 15 stores. Wegmans has a total of 104 stores. This makes Wegmans almost 600% larger.

Wegmans stores are spread out in the states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. There are 48 in New York alone. That’s more than twice the stores Fairway operated in the tri-state area. There are 18 in Pennsylvania, 13 in Virginia, 8 in Maryland, 6 in Massachusetts, 2 in North Carolina, and 9 in New Jersey.

I mentioned Fairway only had 15 stores at its “peak”?

What do I mean? Unfortunately, the company has had many financial struggles and a few changes in ownership, leading to bankruptcy.

More on that in the next section.

Fairway Market Files for Bankruptcy After All, Selling Some Stores in $70M Deal https://t.co/hwRJbUdSjp pic.twitter.com/Pr886Ab1Zl

— NYMaggie (@NYMaggie212) February 7, 2020

Are all the Fairway stores closing?

Not all Fairway stores are closing. Fairway was sold in 2016 due to financial struggles but then filed Chapter 11 in January of 2020, and different stores were sold to different companies. Some will re-brand, but at least 5 will continue to operate under the Fairway name.

So despite starting in the 1930s, Fairway hasn’t done very well in recent years.

It didn’t help that competitors like Whole Foods and Wegmans moved in next to the New York locations. They were more widespread and had solid reputations of being top grocers.

As I mentioned, Fairway filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2020.

Wakefern Food Corporation, the parent company of ShopRite and many others, purchased five of Fairway’s Manhattan stores and the production and distribution center. Amazon purchased two of Fairway’s locations as well. The remaining stores will be auctioned in a court-supervised process.

But if you go to the official Fairway website, it’s run by the Wakefern company.

ShopRite is the world’s largest supermarket cooperative, and it shows no signs of leaving the grocery industry anytime soon.

With a heavy emphasis on promotions, plus low pricing and quality products, ShopRite remains one of the biggest competitors in the grocery industry.

ShopRite, as I mentioned, is also owned by the company that bought 5 of the Fairway stores. But how does ShopRite compare to Wegmans?

My recent article on ShopRite versus Wegmans is a must-read if you want to know which of the grocers is better. I’ll cover which is cheaper, why ShopRite is so insanely popular and who has the best meat.

All that and so much more is revealed, so click that link to read it on my site!

Final Thoughts

In this article, I covered a comparison with Wegmans and Fairway Market.

You learned that Wegmans is a little more expensive than Fairway, but the prices are reasonable for the great quality they provide. I also talked about their meat selection and produce.

You learned that even though Fairway is a beloved grocery chain, they are actually selling all stores due to bankruptcy.

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Photos which require attribution:

Wegmans by F Delventhal and 2017-08-21 22.31.40 (Fairway produce) by Tzuhsun Hsu are licensed under CC2.0

Wegmans is a regional grocery store chain with 103 locations. It has had the reputation of being one of America’s best grocery stores for a very long time. But while great, Wegmans isn’t cheap. So here’s how to shop at Wegmans and save money.

The best way to save money at Wegmans will be to buy their house brand items, use the Ibotta app to earn cashback from partner brands, and sign up for their Shopper’s Club to build points, and get digital coupons.

But these are not the only thrift hacks you can do at Wegmans.

Wegmans is not an overly expensive grocery store, but it’s not the low-priced leader either. Think of it as an excellent cross between Whole Foods and a Kroger.

I’ve decided to give you 11 must-know tips so you can get the most out of your money. I have over 20+ years as a manager in the grocery industry, so you can trust that I’ll give the best tips and hacks.

Read on to get the scoop!

Sunset sky over @Wegmans on #VeteransDay #VeteransDay2020 #sunset pic.twitter.com/uLrzMJ1I84

— Andy Kunzmann (@andykunzmann) November 11, 2020

What are the best things to buy at Wegmans?

The best things to buy at Wegmans include the Wegmans private label products, cheeses, organically-grown produce, and their ready-to-cook EZ Meals.

But let’s get into some details of each of those and what makes them special.

Store brand items

We all experience some type of skepticism when buying private label products from grocery stores.

This is because most people associate the lower cost of said brands with lower quality. That’s not the case for Wegmans. Customers and reviewers rave that the quality is sometimes way better than the more expensive brand names. It’s like the perfect pairing of quality and reasonable pricing.

Here’s the best part. Most of Wegmans’ store brand products are organic or have a “Food You Feel Good About” label.

This means that they are free from preservatives and artificial flavors and there’s no need to have to read every ingredient label.

Cheese

If you’re looking for gourmet cheese, then Wegmans is the place to find them.

They even have their own cheese ripening caves and even a section of the stores dedicated to brie cheeses. How cool is that!

At the 2019 American Cheese Society’s Judging and Competition, Wegmans Professor’s Brie was one of three cheeses named “Best of Show.” (source)

Produce

Wegmans operates its own organic farms but also partners with local farms to get fresh produce on their shelves.

In a 2017 Consumer Reports comparison of 62 grocery stores, Wegmans had the best produce in the US. Fresh, organic, and affordable produce in a wide variety at the stores.

EZ Meals

EZ Meals are Wegman’s ready to heat and eat convenience meals. These include some that are meat or seafood-based, some frozen ones, some cooked items from prepared foods.

They even have a whole line they call “Produce Step Savers” which are basically different veggies or fruits that are prepped and precut and ready to throw in the pan.

Never pass up an opportunity to peruse the aisles of @Wegmans !! pic.twitter.com/pPC2ztKRuN

— siggi’s (@siggisdairy) August 19, 2013

So now, let’s check out the . . .

11 Simple Tips to Save Money at Wegmans

1. Sign up for their Shopper’s Club

Why? There’s no reason not to. Whether you shop at Wegmans occasionally or you’re a Wegmaniac, you shouldn’t pass on joining the free loyalty program.

You’ll get points on every purchase and exclusive digital coupons. These coupons are based on items you frequently purchase and staple household items, not random things you might not find useful.

What’s even better is that you can always stack all your available coupons and add them to your order. You can also add WDollars to your card, which reduces the need to swipe your debit card.

CLICK HERE to sign up on the Wegmans site.

2. Get the Wegmans App

Wegmans has some of the largest stores in the industry and can be a pain to sort through.

The Wegmans app is like the perfect shopping partner. While it helps you navigate through the large store, it will also scan the items in your cart. You’ll also be able to organize your shopping list by aisle.

Not sure what to get for dinner? The Wegmans app has tons of recipes you could try out. You can find all the ingredients you need and scan them right away from your app!

Click HERE for the iOS app or HERE for Android.

3. Buy the Wegmans brand

Shopping for national brands at Wegmans can be expensive. The store brand is not only cheaper but also exceeds the quality for a store brand. You can’t go wrong with excellent quality and reasonable pricing.

We are all a little skeptical when purchasing house brands for the first time. Let’s face it, many times, the quality is very poor even though the prices are low.

However, like Wegmans, customers rave about the house brands at ShopRite.

Wholesome Pantry is an organic brand that is both affordable and of good quality. Their meat is also similar, if not better than Wegmans.

Check out my recent article on ShopRite versus Wegmans. I’ll help you to conclude which of the two is better for grocery shopping.

Just click that link to read the comparison on my site.

The husband is officially banned (by me) from the grocery store. This week he bought an abundance of vegetables but forgot to pick up his attention deficit disorder medication.

Listen to #OutlawRadio at https://t.co/D8NR3nIi79. @TonyWarm1013 @kristiecredit @Wegmans @warm1013 pic.twitter.com/p9GauVRGv9

— Pam Sherman (@thepamsherman) April 30, 2020

4. Let them shop for you

Navigating a grocery store as large as Wegmans can be both time consuming and distracting. There’s always something going on, and the aisles are so beautifully stocked that it’s hard not to do some compulsive shopping.

Here’s how you can avoid that and save some money. Submit your order on the website or the app a day before and choose the pickup option.

The delivery fee is $5.95, with no minimum order. A Wegmans employee will do the shopping for you and deliver your groceries to your car. Here’s the not so good news. Just as Wegmans isn’t as widespread as we would like, Pickup is available in only a few stores.

5. Eat first, shop later

One of the worst ways we overspend when grocery shopping is doing it when hungry.

A trip that should have lasted 15 minutes could go well into an hour of compulsive buying. But wait, there’s a solution. Whether you’re craving sushi, pizza, or the best sub sandwich ever, Wegmans has a restaurant and hot food bar at every location, and everything is reasonably priced.

And as with everything Wegmans, you can count on the ingredients used to be “food you feel good about.”

6. Shop on Saturdays and Sundays

Trying new products doesn’t have to cost you. Wegmans is open 24/7, and the weekend is the best time to make a trip.

Samples are always available on Saturdays, and new products are introduced all the time. Why buy an item you don’t need and probably won’t like when you can try new samples every week?

Sunday mornings are a great time to shop because Wegmans restocks the shelves on Saturday nights. You will find the freshest of everything and very low traffic.

This will give you more time to browse the store without being rushed.

First time at @Wegmans. Very impressive. Competitive prices, attentive staff and just an overall great ambiance. Such a delightful experience! 10/10 would get groceries from again! pic.twitter.com/ETA9FlGISm

— Jeremy Sheftel (@JeremySheftel) June 21, 2021

7. Ask for help

Yes, this is actually a money-saving tip!

Need your fruits sliced or have questions about products? Wegmans has some of the friendliest employees, and they are always willing to assist. The employees know the store more than anyone else, so you can ask them for the best deals at Wegmans.

8. Buy their wine

If you’re a wine lover or simply need a bottle of wine now and then, Wegmans has a wide selection of wines. Aisles are organized with the top 20 wines that are in season and trending with shoppers. If you’re looking to get the most out of your money, try a few of the $6 wines.

There are also top-rated wines under $20. Download the Vivino app if you want ideas on which wines to purchase. With the app, you can take a picture of the labels, and the rating by other shoppers will be available to you.

9. Buy the $8 and $10 meals

Wegmans sells some of the best-prepared meals, and guess what, they’re customizable!

These meals include an entrée and two side dishes. They’re great for lunch or dinner when you won’t get to cook. Why cook when you can get Wegmans Italian Pasta Bowl with a free Caesar salad for $10 or their Chicken French with whipped potatoes.

Do you buy your Honey Pot Co products IRL? 🛍🛒 Then you’ll love Ibotta! 😍⁣
⁣
With the @IbottaApp, you can earn money back with our special deals at Target, Walmart, Wegmans, Walgreens, and Meijer. 🤑 Download the app today! pic.twitter.com/DVAZjJIz8w

— The Honey Pot Co (@thehoneypotcomp) February 7, 2020

10. Get the Ibotta app

Ibotta is a useful smartphone app that allows you to save money in 200+ stores, including Wegmans.

Whether the purchase is in-store or online, you can earn cashback. Simply upload your receipts with items you purchased from partnering brands.

Sometimes you may be required to scan the barcode of an item, but that is super simple. Redeem your first offer, and you will get $10 off and an additional $0.25 off just by uploading a receipt.

In addition to that, you’ll occasionally get “Any Brand” offers, which means staple grocery items will still be eligible for cashback even from the house brand.

The cash out threshold is $20, and your payments are made in cash and not gift cards.

Click HERE for the iOS app or HERE for Android.

11. Create a shopping list online 

If you tend to overspend, then creating a shopping list from home will help you estimate how much you’ll actually spend. It will save you from being too tempted by the vast selection that Wegmans has.

You’ll also be able to compare brands before you go to the store.

Shopping at Wegmans can be one of the best grocery shopping experiences you’ll ever have. Quality is exceptional, and the house brand is excellent and cheap.

But you might wonder if Wegmans is overall an expensive or cheap grocery store.

Here’s my recent article on how Wegmans prices compare to two of its biggest competitors. What really surprised me was how much cheaper they were on a few specific products compared to Whole Foods.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Did I cover all you wanted to know about how to save money at Wegmans?

In this article, I covered what the best things were to buy at Wegmans.

The house brand is said to be just as good as national brands. Wegmans is also a paradise for cheesemongers. They have great prices on gourmet cheeses. Wegmans also has great produce at reasonable prices, especially the organic selection, which is usually more expensive.

I also covered 11 tips, tricks, and an app to help you save money when shopping at Wegmans.

These include buying the Wegmans brand and shopping on Saturdays and Sundays. Other ways to save money are the Shopper’s Club, Wegmans App, and creating a shopping list online.

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Photo which requires attribution:

Wegmans by MonkeyMyshkin is licensed under CC2.0

Many love to do their grocery shopping at Aldi, and it’s easy to see why. They have a great selection and amazingly low prices. But anytime we see something that seems too good to be true, it can cause concern. So why is Aldi produce so cheap?

I decided to look into it and here’s what I learned:

Aldi keeps produce prices low by buying locally, saving on transportation costs, and only selling pre-packaged items eliminating the need for scales, and cutting back on needing employees to regularly cull produce for bruised items.

Aldi produce, as with most of their store is designed to be the best price in town.

And there are actually other things they do to keep prices low aside from just eliminating the scales. So in this article, we’ll look at where they get their produce, and other steps they take to keep prices down.

But we’ll also look at whether that compromises quality.

So, let’s get started.

Great produce section! #aldi pic.twitter.com/IShGPD7bDl

— ckrusch (@ckrusch) June 20, 2013

Is produce good at Aldi?

Produce at Aldi is of acceptable quality, and they have a variety of basic produce items available including some organically-grown items. However, freshness is not always at its peak, and because everything is pre-packaged, you cannot buy just 1 of something.

You can buy a variety of fruits at the store.

There are organic ones, too. The problem is that, at times, some of the fruits may not be as fresh as one would like, and you may discover, to your chagrin, that a few days after you’ve bought them, they’re already going bad!

Produce at the store is pre-packaged, and they’re in bulk-sizes, which might not be ideal if you just want a few. The bulk-sized packages are okay for families but not necessarily cool for singles.

But, I am not trying to generalize nor give you a wrong impression.

And, I am not suggesting all their produce is bad. This may not be true for all their stores. You just need to be more selective when you’re at their produce section.

So, let’s look at some produce you can buy from the store and those you shouldn’t.

Pineapple, mango, kiwi, and their veggies are good, but their bananas, tomatoes, and garlic leave a lot to be desired.

There are times the produce section seems to be a meeting ground for fruit flies!

The key problem seems to be how to keep the produce fresh. Aldi’s produce section is often near the entrance. This could be affecting the produce because the temperature changes, as folks come and go — they have to open the doors.

And interestingly, fruit flies, while maybe common at Aldi, and in many of our homes, isn’t usually a problem in most grocery stores.

And the reason most grocery stores don’t have fruit fly issues blew my mind! I detail the reasons in a recent article. So click the link to read it on my site.

Fortunately, Aldi is addressing the problem, starting with its new stores.

The produce section’s size will be increased, and it’d also be located in a more central part of the store. It’d feature huge refrigeration sections for salad greens and fruits that need cooler temperatures.

If the Aldi store where you shop or intend to shop hasn’t introduced the new changes, I’ll suggest you get produce elsewhere. At least if quality is more important to you than price.

My @AldiUSA haul!Organic items:beef,beans,snacks,salsa, pasta sauce,dressings,diced tomatoes,tacos,chili,pasta& sauces,burgers,chicken,fruits, salads,eggs,cheese,milk,water, frozen meals,WINE,cookies.$250+ at other stores.Aldi total? $141.00! #aldinerd ❤️ pic.twitter.com/CT0RE0Y29m

— RobynsRantics (@RobynsRantics) January 26, 2020

How is Aldi so cheap?

Aldi, like its sister store, Trader Joe’s keeps prices low by operating on a low-expense business model. They primarily sell their own private label items, don’t offer employee discounts and have minimal design and decor in their stores.

Aldi differs from most of the other stores.

It’s known for efficiency, which is reflected in how they manage and operate their stores. The following are some of the differences which enable the chain to offer really low prices. 

But let’s expand in greater detail on what I just said above:

1. 95% of what they sell is under their own private label

Virtually all its products are manufactured under its own brand names. So, it can control the costs and pass on the savings to consumers. Contrast this to what happens in most other stores.

They have to buy and stock brand name products, which are almost always more expensive.

2. Their selection is smaller

It doesn’t offer consumers an array of choices, seeing it has its own stock and does not carry many name brands. While other stores often order about 40,000 types of products.

Aldi orders 2000, and because it’s ordering from a limited number of suppliers, it gets huge discounts, which leads to lower prices.

3. They don’t have fancy megastores

Aldi’s stores are a no-frills affair. They’re not about aesthetics; they’re practically functional and minimalist. Naturally, they cost less, and on the whole, contribute to the store’s relatively lower overhead.

4. Shelf- stocking doesn’t take much time

The products arrive in the store in shelf-ready packaging, so they go directly to the shelves.

Other stores usually unload theirs first, and then their staff stacks them on the shelves. It’s evident that Aldi has a time and labor advantage here.

5. There are no staff discounts

Some stores offer about 20%-30% discount to their staff.

This affects their cost structure. So, they tend to charge higher prices. But, Aldi doesn’t offer discounts to staff. Its prices are already very cheap.

However, Aldi provides some other benefits to its staff to compensate for the lack of discounts for their own employees.

#Sandhurst: Aldi supermarket opening date and opening times

Shoppers keen to pick up a bargain at the discount food store will be able to visit seven days a week. https://t.co/VbeUA16sUV pic.twitter.com/ibNPbk3DdK

— frankschippers (@FrankSchippers) October 27, 2020

Is produce cheaper at Aldi or Walmart?

Aldi’s produce is cheaper than Walmart’s. Aldi’s overhead is much lower than Walmart’s due to its smaller store size and a much more limited selection, so it can afford to pass the savings to consumers. 

Grocery buying is one of those small things that could have a huge impact on your finances when you take a long-term perspective.

This is one of the reasons to comparison-shop. Ultimately you can save a lot of money. Fortunately, for us all, the internet and the availability of some apps have made things easier.

In the preceding subheading, I shared some of the reasons why the store’s prices are one of the lowest in the industry.

So, it follows that it’d be able to offer produce at a low cost, relative to its competitors, right? In a nutshell, Based on my research on produce sold by grocery stores, Aldi almost always becomes cheaper.

Besides knowing which store is cheaper, one other thing you might be interested in is how do grocery stores keep their fruits fresh, right?

I took the time to share the process in a recent article of mine. It has a lot of interesting info that’s only known to folks who work in the industry.

The following are the issues I wrote about: how old are the fruits we see in these stores, why are bananas always looking fresh, how is cut fruit stored, how are the fruits preserved, are fruits bought in these stores healthy for consumption, and how does preservation affect them.

Just click the link to read it on my page.

Stopped in at @AldiUSA today and picked up some items. Love their organic section. #Aldi #aldiusa #organic #fruits pic.twitter.com/t6EEOUCrLm

— Stephanie-Outgoing (@OutgoingLady1) July 25, 2015

Does Aldi sell cheap organic produce?

Yes, Aldi does have low-priced organically-grown produce. Aldi has their own “Simply Nature” organic label, under which it sells a variety of produce.

As with all organic items, these are non-GMO and are also without additives and preservatives.

The following are examples of some of what it also offers: 1. Gluten-free products under the LiveGFree line 2. Vegetarian and vegan products under the Earth Grown line 3. Bolthouse Farms juices 4. GT’s synergy kombucha.

I thought it’s nice that I also share a list of most of the cheap organic produce you’ll find at the store.

1. Arugula
2. Avocadoes
3. Apples
4. Banana
5. Carrot
6. Potatoes
7. Kale
8. Pepper
9. Oranges
10. Tomatoes

Most people would love cheap produce, so Aldi is a great choice. But I figured some folks might be interested in who produces the best quality and knows that we get what we pay for.

Whole Foods is an excellent choice if you’re not overly concerned about savings.

It’s known by many that you’ll need to spend quite a bit more at Whole Foods. But why? That’s what I took on in a recent article of mine.

In the article, I wrote about how much Whole Foods cost, price comparisons, accusations of overpricing, and whether it’s more expensive than Walmart, Trader Joe’s, or Sprouts.

Is Whole Foods cheaper than Amazon Prime? Is it cheaper now that it’s been bought by Amazon? What is its pricing strategy, and what makes it better or different?

All these are answered by simply clicking the link to read it on my site.

@AldiUSA #ALDIFridgeFill #entry My fav study snacks are healthy ones! Aldi has a great produce section! pic.twitter.com/6TZOSu2KOj

— Holly (@prismperfect) July 29, 2016

Where is Aldi produce from?

Aldi’s produce is sourced exclusively in the U.S. In fact, some stores buy from local farmers close to them. The company’s website states that its fresh produce is sourced locally and stocked on a daily basis.

It’s known that some of Aldi’s products are from China.

So that makes people wonder if its produce is from China too, or if they get some supplies from there. First off, it’s natural that we’d like to know where the produce we eat comes from.

It’s a smart and responsible thing to do. After all, there are potential health implications. Luckily, no; Aldi does not get any of their produce from China.

You might also be interested in how Aldi gets its meat, right?

Does it really buy meat from China? You’re in luck because, in a recent article of mine, I gave the low down.

In it, I shared info such as what kind of meat Aldi sells, whether it buys its meat from China, the quality of the meat, why its meat is so cheap, if it sells USDA beef, and there was a video on why grocery stores change their layout. The article is packed full of exciting stuff. Be sure to check it out.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Aldi is never going to have the largest or freshest selection of produce in town.

But then, that was never their goal.

Aldi does, however, have decent produce at rock bottom prices that usually even beat Walmart. And unlike Walmart, you can get in and out quickly.

The biggest downside with their produce is not where it’s from, but rather that it’s all pre-packaged so you can’t just buy 1 of something.

See you in the aisles!

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Photo which requires attribution:

Aldi by F Delventhal is licensed under CC2.0

As a Kroger shopper, I know that I am paying a little bit more for my groceries. But I’ve been hearing a lot about Meijer, too. So it got me wondering which is better, Kroger vs. Meijer?

Kroger has 10 times as many stores as Meijer, and while Meijer’s prices are excellent, and they have great produce, Kroger is the better choice for fresh meat and fast checkout lines. 

But there’s more to know about which one is the better supermarket.

So in this article, we’re diving in deep on both grocery chains. We’ll look at how many locations each has, what states those are in, and why you might want to shop at one over the other.

Just keep reading to find out!

Who is cheaper: Kroger or Meijer? 

Generally, Kroger is cheaper than Meijer. This is primarily due to the increased purchasing power Kroger has with purchasing for well over 2,000 stores compared to the 240 stores Meijer currently has.

Meijer is also more like a Walmart than a grocery store.

So while they sell groceries, but they also sell everything else you could want. They sell clothes, have an automotive department, home goods, and outdoor stuff.

They are the one-stop-shop of the Midwest.

Kroger is just a supermarket. They are going to have a wider variety of brands on their groceries. But they don’t sell things like clothes or outdoor items. 

While Meijer may be cheaper on a few select items, Kroger wins overall as being the most affordable of the two stores.

In short, Meijer is where you want to go when you don’t want to go to Walmart. Kroger is where you want to go when you are doing your weekly grocery shopping.

Whole Foods is more expensive than both of them.

But there are some things that are worth the higher price. One of those things is chicken, both fresh and rotesserie. For ingredient and additive quality standards and animal welfare policies, no grocery chain beats Whole Foods.

To read more about which grocery chain has the best chicken and what makes chicken the best, check out this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Never been to a @meijer store? Take a video tour here: https://t.co/p2vtNq4vJc #GroceryStore #GoodmanGlutenFree pic.twitter.com/06rHUlhRET

— Goodman Gluten Free (@GoodmanBakery) October 26, 2020

Does Kroger own Meijer?

No. Kroger does not own Meijer. Meijer is one of the largest privately owned grocery chains in America. Kroger, by comparison, is the largest grocery chain in the US and the 2nd largest retailer aside from Walmart.

Meijer is based out of Grand Rapids, MI, and operates more than 240 supercenters and grocery stores in:

• Michigan
• Ohio
• Indiana
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Wisconsin

Founded in 1934, Meijer is credited with pioneering the modern supercenter concept in 1962.

According to Forbes, Meijer is one of the largest privately-owned companies in America. And even though they have less than 300 regional stores, they were the 26th largest retailer in the United States in 2015. source

Kroger is based out of Cincinnati, OH, and has more than 2,800 stores across the United States. They are the second-largest supermarket, only behind Walmart.

But it’s understandable that someone would think that Kroger owns Meijer. That’s because Kroger does own a lot of other stores, one of them being Fred Meyer.

In fact, they have more than a dozen stores under that name. Most of them are grocery stores, but they also have standalone pharmacies, e-commerce, and jewelers. And while Meyer and Meijer are pronounced the same, they are unrelated companies.

Kroger and Meijer are both considered supermarkets.

Americans do most of their shopping in supermarkets, even though we usually call them grocery stores in everyday speech. Grocery stores are typically smaller and more specialized.

Supermarkets are bigger and have a much wider selection.

To read more about the differences between grocery stores and supermarkets, head over to this recent article. I get into all the differences and similarities, including the 1 thing that really surprised me about why something would be called a grocery store.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Meijer continues expansion of its small-store grocery concept. #selfcheckouthttps://t.co/YivWCYceuG pic.twitter.com/lZaRvPh5BO

— Mad Mobile (@MadMobile) October 21, 2020

Is Meijer a good grocery store?

Yes, Meijer is a good grocery store and originator of the supercenter concept, selling groceries and home goods in an average store size of 200,000 square feet. This makes their stores significantly larger than Kroger and Target and somewhat larger than Walmart as well.

Meijer sells a wide variety of groceries alongside other products. They are a staple of the Midwest with more than 240 stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

They sell groceries, clothes, and gas. Some stores even have restaurants, barbershops, and nail salons! They have fully functioning pharmacies, which provide free antibiotics and prenatal vitamins.

They have excellent produce. They have a wide selection, so you can find all kinds of unique fruits and veggies.

They also have their own organic line that is affordable and delicious, too. The Meijer Organics brand is certified USDA organic.

It makes everyday organic staples cheaper than their big-name organic counterparts. They also have the Meijer Naturals brand. It’s not certified organic, but every Meijer Naturals product is non-GMO.

So while their brands may not be certified organic, they won’t contain a bunch of ingredients you can’t pronounce.

They are open almost every day of the year, closing on Christmas Eve and reopening the day after Christmas bright and early.

They also have mPerks, the digital discount program that can help you save money on food, produce, meat, and dairy. Because discounts come straight to your phone, you can use coupons without the hassle of actually clipping them.

The best part about Meijer is Sandy. Sandy is the mechanical horse that can be found at every store. It’s only a penny to ride!

Meijer has no plans to close any stores. However, we’re suspending service at our meat counters and deli salads so that our team members can prepare those items for sale in our self-refrigerated cases. Our teams are working hard to ensure customers have the products they need. pic.twitter.com/wSG52P2pIs

— Meijer (@meijer) March 15, 2020

Is Kroger produce better than Meijer?

Both Kroger and Meijer have high-quality fresh produce. However, while Meijer produce departments look more like a farmers market, Kroger is better for sourcing from small local farms.

Meijer has excellent produce. Meijer has a very wide selection, and you can find all kinds of unique types of fruits and veggies, including a large organic selection.

The produce selection from local sources during in-season times can feel just like a farmers market. In fact, sometimes, it can even be priced similarly, too. Oftentimes, even less than the local farmers market.

It’s a win-win situation. You can still support your local farmers but at less of a hit to your wallet.

In the wintertime in the Midwest, aside from greens and squash, there isn’t anything grown or offered as far as local produce goes. But Meijer consistently has a wide selection of produce to choose from. It may not be local, but it will be fresh and delicious.

Some produce like grapes and carrots can be cheaper at Kroger.

But things like apples, spinach, and bananas are cheaper at Meijer or even Costco. And the organic selection is going to be more expensive at Kroger.

But this doesn’t mean Kroger doesn’t have good produce.

In fact, Kroger is one of the largest organic-food sellers in the country. They sell more seasonal products and work with startups to make their produce last longer.

They are continually working on expanding their produce department. They know that shoppers will purchase groceries where the produce is the freshest. source

So whether you purchase your produce from Meijer or Kroger, you can’t go wrong. Both stores know how important it is to have an abundance of fresh produce.

Plants are invading the meat aisle at @kroger, @mykingsoopers, @RalphsGrocery, & @Fred_Meyer

via @FortuneMagazine https://t.co/2axlCAa6sw pic.twitter.com/NdbcQhudoj

— Beyond Meat (@BeyondMeat) August 1, 2017

Does Meijer have good meat & how does it compare to Kroger?

Meat sold at Meijer has excellent quality overall, but Kroger also has high-quality fresh meat. However, while all Meijer stores have 3-4 in-house butchers, not all Kroger locations feature the ability to have meat cut to order.

But they have both organic and traditional cuts, and their meat sales often beat out Aldi and Walmart’s prices.

But the price isn’t the only thing you should consider when shopping for steaks. When shopping for meat, you should look for good marbling and nice red color with no brown spots. 

Another factor in the quality of meat is whether the cow is given growth hormones or antibiotics. Animals fed right and treated humanely are not just for marketing. They make better tasting, healthier meat.

Meat sold at Whole Foods has over 100 animal welfare standards it must meet before it is sold in the stores.

This is just one of the reasons Whole Foods steaks are the best steaks. Check out this recent article to read more about which grocery store has the best steaks.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Final Thoughts

Kroger and Meijer are both popular, separately owned stores in the Midwest. 

Meijer has an excellent selection of not just groceries but other items like clothes and electronics. Kroger has more standard groceries and better meat than Meijer. Their prices are generally higher.

They are both great grocery stores for their own reasons. If you like the variety of items and prefer more of a one-stop shopping experience, Meijer is for you. But if you prefer to shop for just groceries, Kroger is going to be the better fit. 

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Photos which require attribution:

Kroger Cahokia, IL 5 and Meijer Sterling Heights, MI 7 by Mike Kalasnik are licensed under CC2.0

Price Chopper and ShopRite are two hugely similar grocers. They have fewer stores than big-box supermarket chains, but they have loyal customers. So today, let’s look at ShopRite vs. Price Chopper:

Both ShopRite and Price Chopper are known for quality products, but ShopRite is better known for its organic selections, many coupons, promotions, and lower pricing.

But that’s just a quick glimpse!

And there are areas where Price Chopper beats ShopRite. So in this article, we’re diving deep in comparing both. We’ll explore not only quality, but price, convenience, locations, and customer service.

Let’s get into it!

Does Price Chopper have more locations than ShopRite?

No, Price Chopper does not have more locations than ShopRite. ShopRite has 315 locations compared to 131 Price Chopper locations.

ShopRite’s locations are spread across:

• New Jersey
• Delaware
• Connecticut
• Pennsylvania
• Maryland
• New York

By comparison, as I mentioned, Price Chopper has 131 locations. Those are located in:

• New Hampshire
• Connecticut
• Upstate New York
• Vermont
• Massachusetts

While ShopRite has its roots in New Jersey, Price Chopper has a bigger presence in Upstate New York and surrounding counties.

Choppin prices at Price Chopper pic.twitter.com/5a2wd0y9mr

— Foul Ball (@NezzWorthUrTime) June 22, 2013

Is Price Chopper cheap?

Price Chopper is low priced, but not among the cheapest of grocery stores. In a recent comparison made between 10 grocery stores, including Price Chopper, it was determined that Price Chopper falls between being “cheap” and “somewhat expensive.”

That being said, Price Chopper is definitely cheaper than ShopRite. But only on certain items.

The comparison was made on 25 grocery items, including apples, cheese, cooking oil, onion dip, peanut butter, cheerios, and meat. (source)

While most items were cheaper at Price Chopper, their store brand meat was more expensive than ShopRite.

Below are five items that were used to compare prices between the grocery stores:

Item	ShopRite price	Price Chopper price
Chicken breast, skinless, boneless, store brand	$3.49	$3.79
Crisco pure vegetable oil (48-ounce bottle)	$4.29	$2.49
Ground beef, 80% lean, store brand (1 pound)	$3.49	$4.99
Jif peanut butter, creamy (40-ounce jar)	$6.29	$5.99
Kraft American Cheese (16 singles)	$3.99	$3.19

In this same comparison, Walmart came up the most times with the cheapest items.

Walmart has over a thousand stores and is well known to have some of the most affordable prices in the grocery industry.

Check out my recent article on ShopRite versus Walmart. I’ll talk about which is cheaper, how their delivery fees compare and much more!

Just click that link to read it on my site.

@ShopRiteStores c-store ramps up alcohol delivery as the Louisiana chain partners with @Drizly so customers can order beer, wine and spirits via an app. >>https://t.co/JcMPizRU3Z#NACS #NACSDaily #CStores #Convenience #ConvenienceStores #CStore #ShopRite #Delivery #Alcohol pic.twitter.com/Hak0GwsSad

— NACS (@NACSonline) April 3, 2020

Do both ShopRite and Price Chopper deliver?

Yes, they both ShopRite and Price Chopper offer delivery service as well as pick up service, with Price Chopper being slightly less expensive for both. Price Chopper delivers through its Shop4U service. ShopRite delivers through Shop From Home.

How grocery delivery works with Price Chopper

As I mentioned, Price Chopper delivers through its Shop4U service.

They make ordering convenient with their app or on their website. Simply select Shop4U from the drop-down menu on the website or app and register.

They deliver to more than 500 zip codes in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Upstate New York, Vermont, and Connecticut.

Price Chopper delivers your items to your door, or you can opt for their Pickup option.

You wouldn’t need to get out of your car because a shopper will pack your groceries in your trunk. Simply pay by credit card and be on your way. Here’s another interesting fact.

They deliver catering dishes for large groups. You can get customized dessert and deli platters delivered right to your door or ready for pickup.

Shop4U has a service fee of $10 and an additional delivery fee of $5.99.

The Pickup fee is $3.99 or less, depending on your order total. First-time customers actually get a 50% discount on their service fee, which extends to every fifth order placed. Wait, it gets better!

Once you place an order, a Price Chopper Shopper will call or email you to verify the order and total cost. Customers are also able to get the full benefits of all coupons and promotions available at Price Chopper.

How grocery delivery works with ShopRite

ShopRite has the Shop From Home service that allows you to order groceries through the app or on the website and have them delivered to your door.

Pickup is also available, or you can even finish shopping inside the store if you forgot to add an item. ShopRite’s service fee is $10, and it won’t be waived even if you opt for their Pickup option.

Keep in mind that Curbside Pickup costs $5.95, and regular deliveries cost $6.95 depending on your zip code. Orders over $150 are free.

Shoppers are available through both text and via call if you need to make changes to your order or select alternatives.

Come see me at price chopper and get your morning dose of MEAT. pic.twitter.com/QU7iuXPQvf

— zach jackson (@zachjack32) December 29, 2013

Does Price Chopper have better meat than ShopRite?

Both Price Chopper and ShopRite sell excellent quality meat. However, Price Chopper has a much clearer animal welfare standard on its website and has won more awards for meat quality compared to ShopRite.

One does have an edge over the other so let’s take a look at that.

Both grocers source their meat from small independent farms. In 2019, Price Chopper was awarded by the Certified Angus Beef brand.

They were recognized with the No. 5 Sales Volume Large Chain Retailer award.

The Certified Angus Beef brand also awarded ShopRite for Excellence in Beef. They were awarded for leadership in quality, sales, and marketing. Much like Price Chopper, they have in-house butchers available for your custom cuts.

While Price Chopper is clear about its Animal Welfare Policy, ShopRite is not.

You might be a little skeptical about purchasing meat from them. Here’s my recent article on ShopRite versus Wegmans.

Wegmans has meat that is Humane Farm Animal Care Certified. They have also been ranked as the best grocery store in the US. Check out that article to get the inside story on the two grocers!

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Shop rite was there displaying all their fruits and veggies all made in 9ja #AgriFest2015 pic.twitter.com/2BsTpPIt9S

— Nne Umu Boys (@Anabagail) January 23, 2015

Who has better produce, ShopRite or Price Chopper?

ShopRite is typically cheaper on produce, but both have comparable quality produce. ShopRite and Price Chopper both feature an excellent selection of fresh produce, often from local farms, including some varieties of organically grown produce. 

So whether ShopRite has better produce than Price Chopper is debatable. I can fairly say, though, that both grocers have produce of similarly good quality. 

Price Chopper buys produce from over 70 local growers and has been doing so for over 80 years. Most of the crop gets delivered to their warehouses, and some get delivered directly to the stores. 

ShopRite has an extensive selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. At least at the New Jersey locations.

They have long standing relationships with nearby farms, much like Price Chopper. Since ShopRite stores are independently owned, you will find similar, but not necessarily the same produce quality in all stores.

Price Chopper and ShopRite both have weekly circulars with deals on produce, but produce at ShopRite is cheaper most times.

Price Chopper does have a mascot, though, the Produce Monster that talks to customers about their products. You can find stickers of the mascot on produce as a guarantee for great taste.

If you’re looking for the very best in produce and don’t mind paying a little extra, then check out my recent article on Whole Foods versus ShopRite. You’ll want to see how the mecca of all things organic compares to ShopRite.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we compared ShopRite and Price Chopper.

ShopRite has more locations and overall better prices than Price Chopper. Based on the price comparison, ShopRite is a better place to buy your meat and produce.

Both Price Chopper and ShopRite use the Instacart delivery service and offer online ordering options.

Delivery charges might vary depending on your zip code. Both grocers have similar quality in meat and offer grass-fed and organic options. ShopRite and Price Chopper have good quality produce, but you will get better prices at ShopRite. 

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Photos which require attribution:

Price Chopper Grocery Store and Shop Rite by Mike Mozart are licensed under CC2.0

Sometimes you love your grocery store. But sometimes, you aren’t sure if another store is cheaper or better. So today, let’s examine which is better for groceries: Kroger vs. Target.

Kroger is better for groceries compared to Target. Kroger is not always the cheaper choice, but they have the best quality and selection, especially with perishable foods such as Produce, Meat, and Seafood. 

But that’s not all there is to know. 

After all, some Target locations are better than others while others simply crammed a grocery store off to the side. But Kroger, unlike Target, isn’t in every major city and State. So there’s more to examine.

Just keep reading!

Is Kroger cheaper than Target?

No. Kroger’s groceries are more expensive than Target’s groceries. However, this is mostly true of Target’s canned & boxed goods more than their perishable items such as meat, seafood, and produce.

But as I mentioned above, Kroger’s quality is far superior to Target’s.

They also have a lot more to choose from! Selling groceries simply doesn’t benefit Target. People love Target, but they don’t really have any regular shoppers like traditional grocery stores. 

As a result, Target doesn’t focus on its grocery department.

So, shoppers who happen to be at Target already may pick up a gallon of milk. But few shoppers are actually going to seek out Target for their weekly groceries.

The exception would be at what is called Super Targets.

Super Targets (currently only 58 of them), are much larger and many of them were built with a grocery section in mind as opposed to older Targets that remodeled and squeezed a food section in among the clothes.

While you may think that Kroger is a big grocery store because they sell groceries, they are technically a supermarket. 

The term supermarket and grocery store are used interchangeably.

But there’s a lot more to know about the differences between a supermarket and a grocery store. A grocery store is more specialized and not as extensive as a supermarket.

Supermarkets have lots of choices, in-house butchers, and fresh seafood.

But grocery stores are usually more focused on a specific category or food or targeted demographic. I get into all the details in this recent article. What really surprised me was which category Walmart falls into.

Just click the link to read it on my site. 

@kroger has added to its @SimpleTruth4U plant-based offerings, introducing 50 more products by year’s end including Emerge meat-less chicken products, nondairy ice creams, cheeses, yogurts and dips. #plantbased #privatelabel #kroger #Vegan https://t.co/nbLl4Qt3Wf pic.twitter.com/15R1MkVON9

— Store Brands (@Store_Brands) October 17, 2020

Is Kroger meat better than Target?

Yes. Kroger’s meat is better than Target’s. Target doesn’t sell as much meat as typical grocery stores. Because they don’t sell a lot of it or have in-house butchers, meat at Target is going to be more expensive and lower quality.

Kroger has great prices on quality meat. They have both organic and traditional cuts, and their meat sales often beat out Aldi and Walmart’s prices.

But the price isn’t the only thing you should consider when shopping for steaks. When shopping for meat, you should look for good marbling and a nice red color with no brown spots.

Another factor in the quality of meat is whether the cow is given growth hormones or antibiotics. Animals fed right and treated humanely are not just for marketing. They make better tasting, healthier meat.

Meat sold at Whole Foods has over 100 animal welfare standards it must meet before selling it in the stores.

But which grocery store has the best steaks?

Check out this recent article to read more about which grocery store has the best steaks. Just click the link to read it on my site. 

You can get groceries at #Target as well. #Ottawa pic.twitter.com/Oj3cmTLUj9

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) September 16, 2013

Can you buy all your groceries at Target?

Yes. You can get all your groceries at Target, as long as you don’t require any specialty items or need a lot of options. They have all the major categories you would find in any grocery store.

Target has a small produce department, some meat, and most of the staples you’ll need.

Overall, their grocery department is small and does not have a lot of choices. That’s especially true if you are comparing it to other grocery stores. If you want variety, good meat, and a large selection of produce, Kroger will be the better choice. 

If you are shopping for chicken, Whole Foods is going to be the best choice. 

For ingredient and additive quality standards and animal welfare policies, no grocery chain beats Whole Foods Market. No antibiotics are ever administered in the life of the chicken. They also offer organically grown chickens, which, by definition, are also free-range. 

But is the chicken at Whole Foods Market really the best?

There’s so much more to know about chicken and grocery stores than that! Just check out this recent article to learn more. I even get into who has the best rotisserie chickens too.

Just click the link to read it on my site. 

#CyberpunkisNow: Kroger, the largest grocery chain in the US stepped into the driverless delivery market yesterday. For $5.95, a customer can order their groceries online & have them delivered to their home by the vehicle in the image (which lacks a steering wheel or seats) pic.twitter.com/tjmaiwBYYk

— ΜΔDΞRΔS (@hackermaderas) December 19, 2018

Is Target or Kroger better for delivery?

Target & Kroger are equally great for grocery delivery. Kroger uses Instacart whereas Target uses Shipt who Target purchased in 2017. Both charge a fee of around $10, allow substitutions to be ordered if items are out of stock, and promise delivery at your set time, in some cases within an hour.

Target has recently started allowing shoppers to shop online for groceries.

You can place your order directly on their mobile app. Then you can choose to pick them up, either in-store or curbside. Or you can choose to have them delivered to your home directly via Shipt.

When placing an order for delivery, you can have them delivered on the same day. Just pick a time when you want your order delivered to you

One of Target delivery’s nice features is that when they are out of an item, you can choose to have the store text you, automatically choose a substitution for you, or not substitute an item at all.

This is a lot nicer than some other stores, like Walmart, that will just pick a substitution for you. Sometimes Walmart’s substitutions are really off the wall – like the time I ordered Scooby Snacks, and they substituted spicy Cheez-Itz.

But I digress.

Once you have placed your order, Target will deliver your items within the delivery window specified.

Groceries ordered online for delivery from Kroger are delivered via Instacart. You can access Instacart through their website or by downloading the app.

You can input personal information, such as your zip code, to show which stores are available in your area. Instacart doesn’t work for every store; only the select amount shows up on the app or website for your zip code.

In most cases, you can have groceries delivered to you within an hour.

Instacart is also unique because they make sure to get food with the best expiration dates, no damage whatsoever, and the top deals around. You won’t have to worry about receiving cracked eggs or stale chips!

They’ll even properly package and carry flowers and other delicate items. 

Ready to place your delivery order with Kroger?

Just CLICK HERE to get started on Instacart.

If there’s 1 pic that can fully describe @target‘s produce section, it’s this one. The only lime they had. #sadlime pic.twitter.com/FYgsMUsSFh

— Masked Critic (@maskedcriticsa) September 13, 2015

Does Target have a produce section?

Yes. Target does have a produce section. However, produce isn’t a focus of Target, so your options are going to be very limited. You won’t find a complete array of products and may just find 1 type of each category of items.

Target sells more staple produce items – like apples, grapes, and bananas. But they don’t have a lot of organic options. They also don’t sell a lot of niche items such as fresh ginger, a variety of peppers, or different types of beets.

Target just doesn’t focus on their produce department. They don’t really focus on their groceries at all.
Target is great at a lot of things. Unfortunately, produce isn’t one of them.

Kroger has excellent produce.

They have a wide selection of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. In fact, Kroger is one of the largest organic-food sellers in the country. They sell more seasonal products and work with startups to make their produce last longer.

They are constantly working on expanding their produce department. They know that shoppers will purchase groceries where the product is the freshest.

So if you just need a few staple produce items, like apples and grapes, Target will get the job done, especially if you are in a hurry or already at Target. 

But if you want good, quality produce, you are better off making the trip to Kroger. 

Final Thoughts

Kroger and Target are both popular stores for very different reasons. 

Target shoppers love Target. Not really for their groceries, but their everyday retail items. Most Target stores don’t have a ton of groceries. They mostly have items like clothes, home goods, and electronics. Those are the things they do best.

Kroger has more standard groceries and better meat than Target. Their prices are generally higher. 

They are both great stores for their own reasons. If you like the variety of items and prefer more of a one-stop shopping experience, Target is for you. But if you prefer to shop for just groceries, Kroger is going to be the better fit.

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Photos which require attribution:

Kroger Cahokia, IL 5 by Mike Kalasnik and Target by Mike Mozart are licensed under CC2.0

Aldi can be found on every list of America’s cheapest grocery stores and focus on providing super low prices on their own brand of groceries as opposed to national brands. ShopRite also has low prices and offers a lot of coupons too. But let’s compare ShopRite vs. Aldi.

ShopRite vs. Aldi – Aldi is as much as 50% cheaper than ShopRite. However, ShopRite has much better meat and produce departments with a fresher and wider selection and meat departments with in-house butchers.

Aldi has almost 1,800 stores in 35 states in the US.

ShopRite is a well-known supermarket chain and a subsidiary of Wakefern Corporation, one of the largest retail cooperatives in the US. They are well known for their organic selection and reasonable pricing for the quality they provide.

In this article, we’re doing a deep dive comparing ShopRite and Aldi.

ShopRite is reasonable but Aldi is much cheaper and widespread. The most common questions are which is cheaper and who has the best meat.

But, I’ll also cover who has the best produce, what do you should not buy at Aldi, and exactly why Aldi is so cheap. Keep reading to find out the details!

Is Aldi cheaper than ShopRite?

Yes, Aldi is cheaper than ShopRite. The primary reason is that Aldi does not focus on selling a lot of national brands. They are able to keep prices low because they mostly sell their own house brands of most types of products.

Aldi does not accept coupons yet they still have lower prices than ShopRite.

However, we already know this is because they do not sell many national brands. On the other hand, if you’re all for national brands then you can stack your coupons at ShopRite to get the best deals.

In a recent comparison of Sausage Pasta ingredients by Spoon University, Aldi’s prices were 50% less than ShopRite’s on some items. Some of the items were grape tomatoes, garlic, onion, and spinach.

Here’s how that price comparison stacked up:

Aldi

• Grape tomatoes $2.99
• Garlic $1.45
• Basil $2.79
• Spinach $2.41

ShopRite

• Grape tomatoes $2.99
• Garlic $1.17
• Basil $3.49
• Spinach $2.99

Aldi to open 100 new stores and create 4,000 more jobs over next 12 months https://t.co/PVpw5ltddF pic.twitter.com/nRxBGPqKyA

— Mirror Money Saving (@MirrorMoney) September 28, 2020

Does ShopRite have better meat than Aldi?

Yes, ShopRite does have better beef than Aldi. That’s because Aldi’s number 1 focus is low price whereas ShopRite focuses on both price and quality. ShopRite also has a much larger selection of meat and has in-house butchers.

Aldi’s low meat prices might leave you skeptical about their quality but they actually have some good meat.

They have no in-house butcher and they do not sell USDA Certified Prime Steak. However, Aldi does sell both USDA certified beef, organic, and grass-fed. I should mention that you will mostly find middle-grade or USDA Select which is good quality.

I also have to commend Aldi on having a clear Animal Welfare Policy.

Aldi has a decent selection of all types of meat but if you’re searching for custom cut beef or prime steak, you will have to look to ShopRite. ShopRite has been awarded for Excellence in Beef for its USDA Certified Angus Beef Prime.

ShopRite has a much larger selection of meat.

They also have in house butchers who assist with customizing your meat cuts and answering any questions you have. However, the lack of transparency on animal welfare is a bit concerning.

There is a lot more to look at when it comes to Aldi’s meat. Here’s my recent article on where Aldi’s meat comes from. No, it’s not China. I’ll cover all you need to know about the kinds of meat sold at Aldi and why they can sell meat cheaper than other grocers.

Click that link to find out the details!

#cblive The truth is we are not paying enough for quality meat. If you can buy pieces of steak for less than €3 in Aldi or Lidl either it’s too cheap or it’s poor quality.
It would better for the Consumer & the Farmer if meat was slightly dearer and better quality pic.twitter.com/RxboID8GOb

— ismaithanfear (@ismaithanfear) September 16, 2019

What should I not buy at Aldi?

Avoid buying fresh items at Aldi such as produce, meat, and cheese. Also, skip health and beauty items too. Aldi provides an incredible bargain on most types of groceries, but staple canned, jarred, bagged, and bottled items are the best things to buy.

Here’s a more detailed list of what to avoid at Aldi:

Produce

While Aldi’s generic layout boasts organized cardboard boxes of produce that are seemingly fresh at first glance, this is not always true.

Aldi’s produce is definitely cheaper than most grocery stores but the quality is not all that great or consistent. One shopper stated that each time she bought potatoes they would spoil within a week or just a few days. (source).

Depending on the time you shop and how long the produce has been out, you’ll have to keep an eye out for signs of spoilage.

If you’re looking for top-notch produce, here’s my recent article on Whole Foods versus ShopRite. Click that link to find out who has the best produce, who has the best prices, and much more! This is a must-read!

Just click the link to see it on my site.

Paper Products

Avoid the toilet paper and paper towels from Aldi’s private brands. They are cheap but scratchy and thin. You’ll get a better deal buying TP at ShopRite, especially with a coupon.

Shredded Cheese

Now, this is something I’ve seen on every site while doing my research.

Aldi’s shredded cheese contains loads of corn starch to prevent the strands from sticking together. The shredded cheese has an off taste and burns really quickly, leaving a lot of grease behind. Solution?

Buy Aldi’s delicious block cheese and grate it yourself.

Ground Meat

It isn’t terrible but you’re better off using Aldi’s ground meat for a meatloaf and not burgers.

The meat is mealy because it’s been ground for too long. According to the r/aldi Reddit thread, you shouldn’t be surprised if you find pieces of bone in your ground turkey meat.

Deodorant and Shampoo

Aldi has a very small selection of both deodorant and shampoo. You’ll also only find them under national brand names. You can get a better bargain buying them at a drug store with a sale or coupon.

This was an Aldi meat aisle yesterday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/K3uVpKbM4A

— Justin Richards (@CovertRecon) March 21, 2020

Why is Aldi food so cheap?

Minimal staffing, less desirable locations where the rent is cheaper, charging customers for things like shopping bags and carts, and a focus on house brands are the primary reasons Aldi is so cheap.

Aldi schedules only a few workers at a time.

The generic layout of the stores is meant to be efficient for both shoppers and employees so there is not much need for a lot of workers. Aldi also operates for about 11 hours of daily service, less than other large grocers and this lowers both operational costs and wages that they have to pay.

Aldi also requires you to pay a quarter to get a shopping cart and you’ll get it back once you return the cart. Therefore, they don’t need extra staff to patrol the parking lots.

Aldi pays low rent for their warehouses because they have low inventory. They focus on purchasing inventory that they can sell without causing a lot to waste. Aldi also sources meat and produce locally so they can save cost on transportation.

Additionally, Aldi has started to install LED lighting in stores and warehouses. They are also looking at making all their packaging recyclable and reusable. This will reduce supply chain costs. (source)

Walmart is another of America’s cheapest grocery stores.

Check out this recent article on ShopRite versus Walmart to get the scoop on how they differ. I’ll cover pricing, quality, and much more!

Click the link to read it on my site.

#SustainabilityNews: @Shoprite_SA is now #upcycling over 4K tons of returned plastic to produce 100% recycled shopping bags for consumers. Read all about it here: https://t.co/0QxchAQYU0 pic.twitter.com/2fAsyDmBQ3

— Bamboo Rose (@GoBambooRose) January 22, 2020

Does ShopRite have better produce than Aldi?

Yes, ShopRite does have better produce than Aldi. Aldi focuses on low price and quality and selection are secondary to that. ShopRite also features more organically grown produce.

We have already established that Aldi does not have the best produce quality.

ShopRite is a good source of both organic and inorganic produce at a reasonable cost. Their selection is much wider than Aldi’s. As with any grocery store, produce is freshest on the day it is restocked so be sure to check for bruises and spoilage.

With its deep roots in New Jersey, the “Garden State” and long-standing relationship with local farmers, you can count on fresh produce.

Final Thoughts

ShopRite and Aldi both have their own loyal customers for different reasons but we looked at them from an unbiased perspective.

In this article, we compared prices at ShopRite and Aldi to determine the cheaper of the two. You learned that even though Aldi has a transparent Animal Welfare Policy, their meat quality leaves a lot to be desired. ShopRite has a reputation for quality meat and even has Prime offerings.

You won’t find that in your local grocery store.

We also covered why Aldi is so cheap and the grocery items you are better off sourcing elsewhere. You learned that Aldi’s super cheap produce prices might mean you won’t get a satisfactory quality.

I hope this article has helped you to determine which of the grocers is best for you.

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Photos which require attribution:

Aldi by Mike Mozart and Shop Rite Wallingford, CT USA by Marcus Balcher are licensed under CC2.0

ShopRite is a great store if you’re looking for low prices, lots of deals and coupons, and a decent product selection. They aren’t nationwide, but they still have a lot of stores, so it’s not uncommon to wonder is ShopRite a franchise?

Technically ShopRite is a retail cooperative and not a franchise with over 50 owned stores and 296 stores affiliated to it. Although these stores are independently owned by members of Wakefern Food Corporation, similarly to a franchise, co-op members elect their own board of directors to run the company as a whole.

But some might disagree with that assessment. So, get ready to soak up all the must-know details!

So what does it mean if a grocery store is a franchise? How does a franchise differ from a retail cooperative? Does either affect pricing or make 1 store in the chain different from the next?

I’ll make it easy for you to identify if a business is a franchise and so much more. Just keep reading!

Who is Shoprite owned by?

The Wakefern Food Corporation owns ShopRite. Technically they are a co-op that includes not only ShopRite but other grocery chains as well. Wakefern operates 28 of the company’s stores, with the rest being owned and operated individually or in small groups by Wakefern co-op members.

Wakefern was founded in 1946 and is now the largest retailer supermarket cooperative of supermarkets in the United States.

It is headquartered in Keasbey, New Jersey, and is the largest private employer in the state. What’s even more impressive is that Wakefern is also the fourth largest cooperative of any kind in the US.

ShopRite is not the only subsidiary of Wakefern.

Other brands are:

• Price Rite Marketplace
• The Fresh Grocer
• Dearborn Market
• Gourmet Garage

Wakefern currently has 51 members, with the most recent being Nicholas Market, owned by the Maniaci family.

Before joining the cooperative, Nicholas Market operated four grocery stores in New Jersey. After converting, they rebrand the stores under The Fresh Grocer. Now, ShopRite is a competitor to other large grocery chains for their reasonable pricing and many promotions.

There’s been a recent debate on how ShopRite compares to Whole Foods, the mecca of organic foods.

Here’s my recent article on ShopRite versus Whole Foods. My research will uncover which of the two is cheaper and who has the best produce.

You’ll be surprised about what I’ll reveal about their meat quality.

I’ll also cover their pricing and also share some exciting information about ShopRite’s wines. Just click the link to read that article!

Come back on Monday for The Market Report’s #ShopRiteWeek! #comingsoon #supermarket #shoprite NOTE: The use of the ShopRite name and logo does not imply endorsement of this blog. They are property of Wakefern Food Corp. pic.twitter.com/BmTPLVrPt8

— The Market Report (@marketreport_nj) January 19, 2019

Are Shoprite stores independently owned?

Yes, most ShopRite stores are independently owned and operated. But the Wakefern Corporation does actually operate 28 of the company’s stores directly.

Though the brand ShopRite is owned by the Wakefern Food Corporation, there are 50 ShopRite affiliates.

Most Wakefern members own several ShopRite stores, but there are a few that possess only one each.

These affiliates run their stores, but there are rules and standards set by the cooperative that each franchisee must adhere to.

Here is a full listing of ShopRite’s independent affiliates.

ShopRite’s newly launched store brand, Wholesome Pantry, was recently awarded two @PLMA_USA 2017 “Salute to Excellence Awards.” pic.twitter.com/b6TegtS1Ue

— Progressive Grocer (@pgrocer) August 28, 2017

How do you tell if a business is a franchise?

You can quickly identify a franchise by checking the signage of the business and also their marketing materials. Most will have it displayed that they are independently owned and operated.

The franchisor gives permission to the franchisee to use the brand, marketing tools, and goods/service marks. So the business layout and uniforms will be the same as the franchise is just a part of a large organization.

In this case, ShopRite is considered a co-op, or retail cooperative. While in many ways, they function exactly like a franchise, there are a few differences. Notably:

• A Retail Cooperative typically has members who elect a board of directors who run the parent organization
• Decisions made by the individual owners/operators have to meet with board approval
• But individual owners/operators get to vote in board elections
• Franchise owners typically just report to a corporate officer

ShopRite is known for its reasonable prices and a wide selection of organic and specialty foods.

It has built its market value by focusing on low prices and convenience. But how does ShopRite compare with a mega grocery chain that has some of the lowest prices in the industry?

Check out my recent article on ShopRite versus Walmart. I’ll cover who has the best groceries, the lowest prices, and their delivery fees.

So click that link to get the details!

I did an instacart Shoprite delivery with Shoprite and they had the Beyond Burger + I got the Gardein Meatballs, their Crispy Chick’n Fingers, and the Vegan Qourn Chick’n Patties. pic.twitter.com/7OqXqwihVx

— The Hollow (@BigBadRoman) July 14, 2019

What is the difference between a franchise and an independent business?

An independently owned business does not have the brand recognition a franchise does. They also don’t have access to the nationwide marketing and infrastructure a franchise provides. Franchises also have a higher success rate compared to an independent start-up.

A franchisee is a person who purchases a franchise from the franchisor.

The franchisee has access to many resources, including marketing and training of employees. They basically follow the instructions given. There is the existing knowledge of what works for the business. The new franchise simply becomes a further extension of the business.

On the other hand, independent business is much riskier. An entrepreneur will have to do extensive market research to figure out what will work for their business.

An entrepreneur has no guaranteed guidance from a network, and the risk of failure is much higher. However, there is much room for creativity and innovation in an independent business. This is not the case in a franchise.

An independent business will need to start from scratch. From attracting investors to acquiring needed capital, independent business has the process much harder.

6:24 a.m. Social distancing shopping at ShopRite. pic.twitter.com/7ItiIEfF3N

— Quipro’s Qurisis Quontrol (@quietprofanity) March 20, 2020

What’s the difference between a co-op and a franchise?

The primary difference between a retail cooperative and a franchise is that co-ops have a member-elected board of directors. So owner-operators have a voice in the governing body. But co-op members also don’t pay a franchise fee directly to buy the store, though they do pay to join and have annual dues.

The franchise fee for most franchises ranges from $15,000 to $40,000. A cooperative does not have these fees.

With a franchise, 1% to 3% of its gross earnings, they must pay the franchisor a royalty fee of 4% to 7% of gross earnings.

Members of a cooperative can retain more profit because they do not have these fees. However, a cooperative isn’t exactly free to join. There are a one-time membership fee and annual dues.

Most franchisors will require you to purchase all supplies from the franchise. This means that the franchisee won’t be able to get them elsewhere, even if it will save money.

In a co-op business model, you can use the group’s buying power to get the lowest possible prices.

As a franchisee, you cannot change the signage or color scheme of your business. As far as entrepreneurship goes, franchisees have little to no room for creativity. You cannot make product additions or changes on your own. A co-op allows you to run your business; however, you want while maintaining the set standards.

Now you have a better understanding of franchises and cooperatives.

Most people believe that owning a franchise is easy because you don’t necessarily need experience and can be your boss.

Owning a franchise is far from easy.

Here’s my recent article on the Grocery Outlet’s Independent Operator Program. I’ll cover everything you need to know about the program, the agreement, and even the fees. All that and much more will be discussed!

Click that link to read it on my site.

Final Thouhts

In this article, I covered a few key questions about franchising.

You learned that ShopRite’s parent company is Wakefern Corporation and that they are one of the largest retail cooperatives in the US.

I talked about ShopRite’s independent owners as well. You learned how to identify if a business is a franchise and the differences between a franchise and an independently-owned business. We figured out how owning a franchise has a more rate of success as compared to business.

We also differentiated between a franchise and a co-op. We saw where joining a cooperative could be more profitable than owning a franchise.

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Photos that require attribution:

ShopRite Atlanta, GA 2 by PatrickRich is licensed under Public Domain

Grocery delivery services are all the rage these days. Instacart is the big name in grocery delivery or pickup. But what about Mercato?  Are they as good? So let’s compare – Instacart vs. Mercato.

Here is what I discovered from my research:

Instacart vs. Mercato, Instacart is better overall for grocery delivery. Though their prices and services are similar, Instacart operates in 25% more cities and delivers from almost all of the top grocery chains.  Mercato, by comparison, mostly delivers from local independent grocers.

But that just scratches the surface.

Mercato is up and coming and Instacart is not without its critics (especially from their contracted Shoppers). So the future may be shifting away from Instacart.

Without much ado, let’s dive right in.

Ready to get started ordering from Instacart?

Just CLICK HERE!

Mercato Gets Independent Grocers Online and Delivering Within 24 Hours as Consumers Searching for Grocery Delivery Increases Amid COVID-19 Crisis https://t.co/nobH8XapNV pic.twitter.com/fHDn6Jj5LH

— Latest News from Business Wire (@NewsFromBW) April 7, 2020

What is Mercato?

Mercato is an online grocery ordering and delivery company. It works with independently owned grocery and specialty food stores compared to large nationwide chains. It currently operates in about 4,000 cities.

Mercato supports grocers and their customers; grocers can outsource the tech-related to ordering and delivery to Mercato, while their customers can order and have their groceries delivered to them.

Independent grocery stores often lack the capacity to design and implement the complex e-commerce processes needed to adapt to the demands of the digital age.

Mercato also helps local grocers attract new customers.

The app offers customers the opportunity to add items (from a single or multiple stores) to their digital cart for in-store pickup or delivered to them. There are options for one-click re-ordering, bonuses for referrals, and a host of recipes and tips.  

One of the company’s objectives is to help people to be able to get a wide variety of fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, and food items that have been carefully selected by the independent grocers.

In this way, it helps promote the local economy.

Mercato’s platform has capabilities for customer communication, inventory and price management, product, and pricing analytics. It has a partnership with DoorDash, and it currently serves over 1000 retailers.

It has 100,000 delivery drivers who work with independent grocers. It’s growing rapidly. About 80% of its leads convert to actual customers.  

It was founded by Bobby Brannigan, a tech entrepreneur and investor (who had sold a company for $82 million when he was still in college) in 2015.

The company headquarters are in San Diego, California.

He grew up working in his father’s butcher store in Brooklyn, so he has experience in the industry. His motivation is to provide a platform that’ll make things easy for local grocers and promote the “shop local” concept.

Now that we know a bit about Mercato let’s see how its fees compare to Instacart’s.    

We recently partnered with Mercato to bring you same-day delivery! Order from the comfort of your own home and then relax while your order is prepared and brought right to you. Just search Katagiri Japanese Grocery Store at Lexington on https://t.co/upsjtEcdsp. pic.twitter.com/u1vwaSHwt3

— Katagiri Japanese Grocery (@KatagiriJpnGroc) July 17, 2020

What does Mercato cost compared to Instacart?

Mercato only sells memberships as opposed to charging per delivery. Mercato has 2 plans – the neighborhood plan, which costs $96 per year, and there’s the City plan at $276 per year. Instacart’s membership plan costs $99 per year but you can also get Instacart deliveries for just $3.99 per delivery on orders over $35.

Mercato is rightly described as “Instacart for indie grocers”. So let’s dive into the details of these plans. 

Mercato’s neighborhood plan, which costs $96 per year (that’s $8 per month), covers deliveries within a 3-mile radius from the store.

In comparison, the City plan at $276 per year ($23 per month) covers a 10-mile radius.

There’s a free 30-day trial for both plans. For both plans, you have the option of picking up your groceries yourself or having them delivered to you within an hour or two.

Instacart, on the other hand, is meant for those who want to do regular grocery shopping. You’d be billed $9.99 if you prefer to pay every month. Members get free delivery on orders above $35.

The regular delivery cost depends on the order volume and the time. You’d be charged a slightly higher fee during busy periods. The fee starts at $3.99. And there may be an order minimum before you can be eligible for delivery.

There’s also an additional heavy order fee if you were ordering heavy items.

The app shows this extra charge if it applies to your order. In addition to the delivery fee, it’s vital to note that Instacart charges an average of 23% markup on the products you order.

Add us to your grocery list 🗒️ You can now get Zaro’s on @mercato ! Get yours here: https://t.co/asiI7PUHG6 pic.twitter.com/b9NFAAr4zu

— Zaro’s Family Bakery (@ZarosBakery) July 21, 2020

Is Mercato free?

No, Mercato is not free. It has paid plans. But it does offer free delivery for seniors. For non-seniors, Mercato has two plans. There’s the neighborhood plan, which costs $96 per year (that’s $8 per month), and there’s the City plan at $276 per year ($23 per month).

The first covers deliveries within a 3-mile radius from the store, while the second covers a 10-mile radius.

There’s a free 30-day trial for both plans. For both plans, you have the option of picking up your groceries yourself or having them delivered to you within an hour or two.

What of EBT cards?

Does either service accept it? There’s no indication on Mercato’s website about payment methods. In fact, overall, I find their website lite on information.

But for Instacart, I get into EBT in a recent article of mine to address the question. Just click the link to read it on my site.

Take advantage of our Mercato savings now as they won’t last forever. You will never go back to regular grocery store purchases. pic.twitter.com/k27r29kefs

— Goodfellas Pizza (@goodfellas_corp) June 9, 2020

Does Mercato deliver from as many stores as Instacart?

No, Mercato doesn’t deliver from as many stores as Instacart. Mercato operates in 4000 cities in the US, compared to 5000 cities for Instacart.

For now, Instacart works with national and regional retailers.

It’s present in 5000 cities in the U.S and Canada, while Mercato is present in 4000 cities, through its partnership with DoorDash, in the U.S. and Canada.

The difference in the number of stores they deliver from is understandable when you consider that Mercato is focused on independent grocers, while Instacart’s forte is the big chains and the fact that Mercato was founded a few years after Instacart. The latter has a “first-mover advantage.”

Of course, the number of stores both platforms deliver from grows from time to time, as one would expect.

Seeing as both platforms are not yet delivering from every store or place in the U.S. and Canada. Instacart hints at this on its website where it advised that interested folks check regularly, to track the new stores it’s delivering from.

Consider that Mercato is growing at an average of 50 new stores per day. It’s only a question of time when it’ll be able to deliver from as many or even more stores than Instacart.

The latter, too, is not slowing down.

For example, one of the cbinsights.com research briefs shows that as of August 2020, Instacart would start handling delivery to 1600 stores owned by Kroger.

Aldi also announced that Instacart would deliver to more of its stores all over the country, by thanksgiving 2020.

Instacart guy said to my mom “Looks like you’re having a party!” She shops for 3 people like we don’t live minutes away from 6 different grocery stores. pic.twitter.com/2GAXDsYlSP

— fibi (@apathysquad) September 20, 2020

What grocery delivery service is best, Mercato or Instacart?

Instacart is better than Mercato when we compare service areas, pricing, and the number of large grocery chains they work with. The primary way Mercato is better is for those customers looking to support smaller, local grocery chains.

It’s not surprising Instacart is older and bigger.

You might be wondering on what criteria was my answer based. On a host of factors such as the following:

• The number of discounts and promotions available
• Number of stores the platform works with
• Geographical coverage (Instacart is available in 5000 cities, Mercato 4000).
• The quality of their respective mobile applications
• Delivery times
• Sales and promotions
• Apple pay support
• Delivery minimums
• Delivery fees
• Additional services fees
• Number of shoppers/delivery drivers (Instacart 130,000, Mercato 100,000)

Despite what I shared above, I must say that Mercato’s growth is highly impressive.

On a lighter note, you may be wondering if Instacart delivers ice creams.

Believe me, I found out if they did, and even wrote in detail about it. You can find the answer in a recent article of mine.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Did I cover all you wanted to know about whether Instacart or Mercato is better for food delivery?

We covered a lot in the article.

I shared details about what Mercato is, why it was founded, when, and it’s unique offerings. I also compared its cost to Instacart’s. And, I told you which platform is the best, based on some key criteria. Instacart is better.

This is not surprising at all, seeing as it’s older and more experienced (three years older than Mercato). It has better brand recognition, too.

Instacart also has more capital as its disposal.

The core team of delivery drivers is known as shoppers in Instacart parlance. It has about 30,000 more than Mercato.

If you’ve ever wondered if these shoppers secretly rate customers they serve, and if a person could be banned from using the platform, I’ve got you covered in a recent article of mine, where I share the answers and other interesting details. 

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Ready to get started ordering from Instacart?

Just CLICK HERE!