Stores

ShopRite vs. Trader Joe’s – Which Is Better?

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Trader Joe’s is one of America’s most popular grocery stores. They are known for some of the lowest prices in the grocery industry. ShopRite, although more regional, is one of Trader Joe’s biggest competitors. So let’s compare ShopRite vs. Trader Joe’s.

Shoprite vs. Trader Joe’s? Trader Joe’s is one of the least expensive grocery stores; up to six percent lower prices than ShopRite. Trader Joe also has a better selection of organic produce. However, Shoprite has butchers who can custom cut your meat and an overall better meat selection.

But then we have to look at produce, customer service, and organic products across the store!

And can you order online at these two grocery stores? Besides, I will also share the best items that you can buy at Trader Joe’s. 

Keep reading to get the scoop!

Trader Joe’s vs. Shoprite prices

In comparison with ShopRite, Trader Joe’s prices are almost six percent lower across the board. Trader Joe’s is one of the least expensive stores and keeps prices low by selling a lot of their own private label products instead of national brand items.

That way, TJ’s purchases goods directly from suppliers and offer products that shoppers can’t buy anywhere else.

Overall, Trader Joe’s prices were about 16% lower than the average prices found at surveyed area stores. And for produce, they were even better! Produce pricing comes in at a whopping 24% better than the competition! (source)

For produce at ShopRite, Trader Joe’s prices are about 5% lower.

For meat, Trader Joe’s prices were about six percent higher though. This is because ShopRite stores have in-house butchers. This not only means better meat quality and selection for you. But it also enables them to use their trim for ground meats or stew meat.

If a bargain is what you’re looking for, there’s no better place to get it than Walmart. In a recent article, I get into all the differences between ShopRite and Walmart, including the 1 thing that Walmart just can’t compete on.

Just click on the link to read it on my website. 

Who has more organic produce – Trader Joe’s or ShopRite?

Trader Joe’s has more organic produce than ShopRite. Trader Joe’s sells approximately four times more organic products than a typical grocery store, including ShopRite. Shoprite does, however, have it’s Wholesome Food Pantry, which, among other things features a line of organic salad blends.

Trader Joe’s introduced their first organic Trader Joe’s product back in the 1970s (it was Organic Unfiltered Apple Juice).

Specifically for organic produce, Trader Joes is known for:

  • Bananas
  • Apples
  • Salad mixes
  • Apples
  • Avocados

In short, both in produce and elsewhere, Trader Joe’s made organic products accessible.

Just be aware that TJs doesn’t sell anything by the pound. That enables then to not have to buy expensive scales, or slow down the cash registers with scales and cashiers having to look up codes.

So all produce TJs sells is packaged. Want to buy just 1 lemon? You’re out of luck!

ShopRite introduced hundreds of Wholesome Pantry products in 2016, extending to nearly every aisle, and not just produce. This includes frozen, produce, dairy, and meat, along with more than 35 wholesome snack varieties.

That being said, not all Wholesome Pantry products are Organic. It is worth mentioning that the products are free from 110 preservatives and artificial flavors.

Though these grocers are both big on providing organic selections, there’s another grocer that is the clean eating mecca.

Whatever you need, you’ll find it at Whole Foods. But you should also know that shopping there isn’t exactly cheap.

Here’s my recent article on Whole Foods versus ShopRite. I get into the details of which is cheaper and who has the best produce. But that’s not all!

You’ll want to click that link to read the full article.

Can I order online from Trader Joe’s or ShopRite?

You can order online with ShopRite at select stores for both delivery or pickup through Instacart, but Trader Joe’s does not offer online ordering, grocery delivery, or curbside pickup whatsoever. 

Believe it or not, but Trader Joes actually has a podcast.

In a recent episode of that podcast, Marketing Director Tara Miller and the Vice President of Marketing Matt Sloan talked directly about why Trader Joes doesn’t offer online ordering AND why it’s not likely to in the future. 

And this, despite the overwhelming demand for it.

Specifically, they said “Creating an online shopping system for curbside pickup or the infrastructure for delivery . . . (is) something that takes months or years to plan, build and implement, and it requires tremendous resources.”

They go on to say they’d rather spend their money on hiring and training the best people to deliver the best customer service. instead of trying to implement systems that keep customers out of the store.

Granted, I do think that if you aren’t giving your customers what they want, you aren’t truly delivering good customer service.

So it’s true they don’t currently offer direct delivery or online ordering.

However, there are a handful of ways in which you may be able to have your favorite Trader Joe’s food products delivered to your front door but keep in mind they are being sold by third parties and do not have the retailer’s blessing to do so. You can find their products at Amazon and eBay.

Online grocery delivery is, however, available with ShopRite at select stores.

What are the best things to buy at Trader Joe’s?

Trader Joes is great for frozen foods, especially appetizers. Additionally, while not a true 1-stop shop, they do offer great prices on olive oil, cereals, pasta, and sauces, and snacks. But they are also great for good-quality inexpensive wine and liquor in the states that allow it.

Trader Joe’s is one of the most popular places to shop in the US.

Between rock-bottom prices, higher quality products, and friendly employees, they are hard to beat. However, as with any bargain shop, some deals are better than others.

Aside from the categories I mentioned above, they also have an outstanding selection of cheeses too, including occasionally having chocolate cheddar which my family loves!

Trader Joe’s also offers a great selection of cereal at great prices. You can get a big box of “Joe’s O’s” for just $1.99.

As I mentioned, they are well-known for their awesome frozen options. From the simple and delicious (mac and cheese bites, my daughter Jolie’s favorite) to the full-on gourmet-to-go (burrata, prosciutto, and arugula flatbread),

There’s stuff you definitely want to eat in the Trader Joe’s freezer — and it’s all well-priced. Plus, as with the rest of its prepared foods, TJ’s has lots of organic and vegetarian options.

Dried fruits and nuts are a staple at Trader Joe’s. The stores also offer fairly good olive oil, tortillas, coffee, and ice-cream.

If brightening your space with some flowers is on your agenda, Trader Joe’s is a great place to get them. Lastly, the quality and price of Trader Joe’s wine selection, if you’re willing to spend $10 instead of $2, you can find a prime example of almost any varietal or region you’re looking for.

Does Trader Joe’s have better meat than ShopRite?

No. While Trader Joe’s does sell some organic and grass-fed beef, they do not have much of a selection. Also, everything is prepacked. With ShopRite, you’ll get a much larger selection and in-house butchers.

Trader Joe’s sell a lot of marinated meat.

But if you are making steak, you will want to make your own marinade, if you marinate it at all. Sometimes meats that are lower quality get packaged in a marinade to mask the quality, so I would not recommend it.

ShopRite has stores throughout the northeast, from Connecticut to Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.

They offer a wide selection of branded beef, which is cut in-house by trained meat butchers. ShopRite butchers butterfly pork chops, then slice the chicken breasts, split steaks, and custom grind cuts of meat, all to a customer’s taste.

ShopRite also has Certified Angus Prime Beef  too. This gives customers a restaurant-quality beef option. Only the top 3% of beef achieves this level of quality.

Are you a beef lover, but you’re not sure which grocery stores have the best steaks? ‘

Here’s my recent article on where to find the best steaks. I talk about beef quality, grades, and so much more. I cover everything you need to know to make your next steak purchase the best one.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we compared ShopRite vs. Trader Joe’s.

They are both great places for a bargain, but it clear that Trader Joe’s has the best prices. This is primarily because they sell more private brands than national brands.

I talked about ShopRite’s online ordering and which of the grocers has the most produce. Trader Joe’s does not offer online ordering.

You also learned the best items to buy a ShopRite and who has the best meat.

Photos which require attribution:

Trader Joe’s Miami by Phillip Pessar and Shop Rite by Mike Mozart are licensed under CC2.0

ShopRite vs. Acme: Which Is Better?

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ShopRite is known for reasonably priced groceries and a lot of promotions and discounts. Acme, now owned by Albertsons is another low-priced grocer. So let’s look at the pros and cons of both: ShopRite vs. Acme

Comparing ShopRite vs. Acme, Acme, now owned by Albertsons, has been around much longer. It offers a larger selection of items you expect to find in a supermarket, including a large number of store brands. However, Shoprite offers higher quality foods, better customer service, and its prices are much lower.

In this article, I compared these two competitors for their prices, selections, produce quality, and more. 

We’ll get into a little history, locations, customer service, and much more, so keep reading to find out the details.

Is ShopRite cheaper than Acme?

Yes, ShopRite is cheaper than Acme. From their grocery prices to promotions and delivery costs, ShopRite has better prices on everything. Also, ShopRite offers you free delivery if your order total is $150 and over. On the other hand, to get free delivery with Acme, your order total will have to be $199 or more.

Though ShopRite charges a flat service fee of $10, whether you pick up or not, we can agree that they have a cheaper delivery service. So, price-wise it might be better to choose ShopRite. 

Acme is one of the most expensive grocery stores, second only to Whole Foods Market.

The prices are high, and the quality is debatable. In a comparison of 19 grocery stores by Delaware Valley Consumers’ Checkbook, Acme had the second-highest store prices.

This survey was based on 154 common grocery items. 

Actually, you’ll find that organic produce is more expensive at Acme than at Whole Foods. If you’re health-conscious or have diet restrictions and need hard to find items, then you’ve probably heard of Whole Foods. 

Here’s my recent article on how the largest retailer or organic food compares to ShopRite. I’ll cover pricing, quality, and overall customer experience, so click that link to get the scoop.

Just click on the link to read it on my website. 

While Acme has some great deals in their weekly Big Book of Extra Savings, the prices are usually still more than ShopRite’s before a sale.

ShopRite’s Right Promise program gives customers rock bottom prices on all staple grocery items.

They can easily be found in every aisle by their tags. ShopRite also allows you to stack coupons, and some can even be used up to five times a day.

Are ShopRite stores independently owned?

Yes, ShopRite stores are independently owned. It has 318 stores, and they are divided by 50 affiliates. WakefernFood Corporation, ShopRite’s parent company, owns and operates 28 of these stores. And this makes them the largest affiliate in the cooperative.

The Majority of Wakefern members own an average of six stores, but a few own only a single store each.

Five of the New Jersey ShopRite stores were owned by Steve Ravitz, who died of the Coronavirus in April 2020. The stores were turned over to his three sons Jason, Shawn, and Brett.

Many of the stores under the ShopRite banner are not easily recognizable.

These include AJS Supermarkets, Ammons Supermarkets, Drust Markets, and 20 others. You can see a full listing of ShopRite members here.

What company owns Acme Markets?

The Albertsons company owns Acme markets. Acme was acquired by Albertsons Companies, Inc. in November 1999.  It is an American grocery company founded and headquartered in Boise, Idaho. Albertsons also owns Safeway, Vons, and Tom Thumb, just to name a few of their subsidiaries.

With 2,252 stores as of the first quarter of the fiscal year 2021 and 270,000 employees as of the fiscal year 2020, the company is the second-largest supermarket chain in North America after Kroger, which has 2,750 stores.

ACME Markets Inc. got its beginning in 1891 when two friends, Samuel Robinson and Robert Crawford, opened a small neighborhood grocery store at Second and Fernon Streets in South Philadelphia.

They emphasized quality products, low prices, and friendly service. Acme Markets Inc. operates 179 stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, and Maryland.

Acme was itself acquired in 2006 by SUPERVALU.

SuperValu, Inc. is an American wholesaler and retailer of grocery products. The company, headquartered in the Minneapolis suburb of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has been in business since 1926. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UNFI.

Supervalu then sold Albertsons and, along with it, Acme Markets to an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management in 2013. Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. is an American private equity firm specializing in distressed investing.

Why is Acme so expensive?

Acme is more expensive because of their dedication to providing superior quality and convenience. But also their employee compensation and benefits are slightly higher than area competition which also causes higher retail prices.

After over 125 years, ACME remains dedicated to providing a high-quality grocery experience that its customers have come to expect.

According to a recent study conducted by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Acme is rated 42% in superior quality and convenience. This is among the lowest scores.

On average, produce prices are $117, with produce quality being 42%, and meat prices are 101% with meat quality of (51%).

They continue to offer consumers fresh and convenient supermarket solutions, in addition to services such as Sav-on® Pharmacies – all tailored to the specific needs of the neighborhoods they serve.

Acme offers online grocery shopping for orders that can be picked up at the store.

Acme also delivers to customers through online orders. They also introduced self-checkout stands, where shoppers could scan and bag their own groceries, stores began adding hot food bars to the deli section.

Acme’s Compensation & Benefits are also 1% higher than Shoprite. Thus, tilting the scale towards Shoprite, in the ShopRite vs. Acme comparison.

Grocery shopping is important, and many people are now opting for a grocery delivery service.

Walmart is well known for having rock bottom prices. You might be curious whether popular services like Doordash deliver from Walmart.

Here is my recent article about grocery delivery from Walmart. I’ll go into details about everything you need to know about Walmart and Doordash grocery delivery.

Just click on the link to read it on my site. 

Does Acme have a better selection than ShopRite?

The simple answer is no; Acme does not have a better selection than ShopRite. ShopRite has a broader selection of products and better deals. Overall ShopRite also beats Acme on quality and customer service too.

Acme’s stores come in vastly different sizes, which affects the selection.

When Acme was part of SuperValu, maintenance and upgrades lagged. Then, when the acquisition by Albertsons happened, that started a few years of decline in which Acme lost its long-time position as the market leader. (source)

This was after many decades of being the largest grocery retailer in the Delaware Valley; Acme fell to number two behind ShopRite in 2011.

As of 2013, Acme was number three behind number one, ShopRite, in the Delaware Valley.

Want to know what other options are out there? Here’s my recent article on ShopRite versus Walmart? I’ll cover which is cheaper and has the best groceries, as well as things you should avoid buying.

I’ll get into the details on much more, so just click the link, and it will take you to the page.

Final Thoughts

In this article, I compared ShopRite and Acme Markets.

I covered the ownership of both stores. You learned that ShopRite is way cheaper than Acme and that being more expensive does not mean the quality is higher.

I also talked about which grocery chain has the best selection and why Acme is so much more expensive than ShopRite. And I hope that you now know which grocery chain is more suitable for you. 

Photos which require attribution:

Acme hell by Aaron Evans and Inside ShopRite of Aramingo2 by Generic Brand Productions are licensed under CC2.0

Where Does Aldi Beef Come From? (China??)

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If you are an Aldi shopper, you know what a great value it is to shop there. Aldi has great products at much lower prices. But I wasn’t sure it was OK to buy stuff like meat from Aldi, After all, where does Aldi beef come from? 

Most Aldi beef comes from local or regional farms located somewhat close to the store’s location. Thus, lower transportation costs help keep Aldi prices low. Additionally, most of their steaks are USDA Choice and Black Angus. 

But there’s much more to know about Aldi beef than that.

Most people can’t believe how cheap Aldi beef is. That naturally makes them concerned about quality. So today, we’re diving deep into Aldi’s meat pricing, quality, and sourcing. Does any of it come from China? 

Ultimately, we’ll answer why Aldi meat is so cheap and what the different USDA grades mean. 

Just keep reading to find out!

What kind of meat does Aldi sell?

Aldi sells all kinds of meats, like other grocery stores. You’ll find fresh chicken, beef, pork, and fish. They also have ground beef, steak, corned beef brisket, chicken breast, chicken thighs, sausage, and cold cuts. Most of their steaks are USDA Choice and Black Angus. 

However, there won’t be the same selection that you’ll find at other grocery stores.

You’ll find some meats in the freezer section. Fish and shrimp, hamburger patties, and breakfast sausage can be found in the frozen section.

The one thing you won’t find is a butcher. So no custom cuts at Aldi.

In fact, you’ll find many of the same meats you’ll find elsewhere. You just won’t have the variety that you’ll find at a bigger store.

No frills, smaller selections, no butcher, and buying locally/regionally are all ways that Aldi keeps their prices low.

But if you shop on Wednesday, you’ll find the fresh meat specials. These are usually the best meats. There will be limited stock, which means you need to hurry!

Does Aldi meat come from China?

No. Aldi meat does not come from China. Most of the beef sold in the US, by Aldi or otherwise, is produced and packaged in the US. 90% of the imported beef comes from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or Mexico. The same goes for pork.

Aldi gets a number of its items from China, so it’s not a stretch to wonder if they get their meat from China, too.

Many of the “Aldi Finds” items, like hiking boots, exercise equipment, kitchen mats, and toys, come from China. They also run a couple of grocery stores in China.

But consumers especially like to know where their food comes from.

United States labeling requirements require that products made outside of the US are clearly labeled with their country of origin. This includes food. (source)

In fact, Chinese pork is currently banned from being imported into the US because of concerns over the African Swine Flu. (source)

In fact, US exports of meat to foreign consumers is on the rise. Smithfield Foods exports pork to China to meet the pork shortage in China. Tyson Foods ships chicken products to China.

You may rest assured knowing that the meat you purchase from Aldi is most likely produced and packaged in the United States.

If it is imported, the label will say so, and it will not be imported from China.

How is Aldi’s meat quality?

Aldi’s meat quality is mixed. While it sells grass-fed organic meat, most ground beef is not labeled with a USDA grade, meaning it’s lower quality. It also has a tendency to be overground, making it a little mealy. Their steaks, however, are mostly Black Angus USDA Choice, and of good quality.

Aldi’s ground beef is not great for burgers, but it will work for meatloaf. Especially if you season it well.

The biggest problem with Aldi meat is that the selection can be inconsistent. So if you find something you love, you may not see it again for a while. I do, however, like that Aldi has a clear Animal Welfare Policy.

Sometimes you’ll even find organic, grass-fed beef at Aldi.

Organically grown beef simply means that the food the cows eat isn’t treated with pesticides and that no artificial hormones or antibiotics are given to the cows.

Then grass-fed simply means the cow was fed grass rather than grains. And while organically-grown and grass-fed” are often lumped together, one doesn’t automatically mean the other.

But Aldi actually sells grass-fed, organic beef. This means that it’s probably going to be more expensive than the other meat you’ll find at Aldi. It also means it is going to be some of the best quality of meat you’ll find at Aldi.

One thing you’ll likely never see at Aldi are USDA Prime steaks.

Only about 5% of all beef graded by the USDA qualifies for the Prime distinction. Prime is generally reserved for high-end restaurants.

But even if you did find USDA Prime beef, it may not be worth the price.

Read this recent article to learn why. I actually conducted a taste test of USDA Prime, Choice, Grass-Fed Choice, and Black Angus. You can even see my taste test video in the article. Just like me, you’ll be surprised which one came out on top!

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Why is Aldi meat so cheap?

One of the main reasons that Aldi meat is so cheap is that they don’t sell name-brand products. Also, they source meat locally and are able to save on transport-related expenses. Lastly, they do not have in-house butchers, so lower labor costs mean lower prices.

So Aldi just sells brands you’ve never heard of before.

It doesn’t mean the quality is any less. It just means that they can sell you a quality product at a lower price. But, you will see some of the same meat products sold at Aldi at Walmart too. (source and source).

Low staffing also has a role in the low prices you’ll see at Aldi. No, this isn’t directly meat-related, but it explains the low prices you’ll find, generally.

Because Aldi only has between 6-8 employees working at one time, and no in-house butchers, they spend less on wages, which means they can pass some savings on to customers.

You may not have a manager at your disposal, but you will fill your buggy for less money.

Aldi is committed to sourcing locally. By sourcing locally, Aldi is saving money on transportation costs. Again, they pass those savings along to the consumer.

They have limited supply. They advertise their fresh meat specials two weeks in advance, and when they are out, they are out.

By having a limited supply, they are spending less on overstock and reducing waste. This means that they are not throwing away as much food as other grocery stores.

By actually selling what they purchase, instead of throwing it away, they are able to keep their prices low.

Does Aldi sell USDA beef?

Yes. Aldi sells USDA beef. Most of their steaks are USDA Choice and Black Angus. USDA choice is the mid-level grade for the USDA’s grading. Aldi’s ground meats, however, are not usually USDA labeled. This typically means lower quality beef but at lower prices.

Ultimately, you will get the same quality beef at Aldi that you’ll get at any other mainstream grocery store.

What you won’t get is a huge selection or the ability to talk to a butcher or get a butcher to trim a steak or do a custom cut for you.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grades meat at the request of the meatpacker.

The grading system determines the quality rating based on the amount of marbling in the muscle and the age of the beef. Marbling is basically fat, and a fattier cut of meat means more fat rendering (melting) out of the steak as it cooks.

Traditionally a fattier cut of meat is richer and more flavorful.

There are three USDA grades of beef that you would buy from the supermarket. From highest to lowest, they are:

  • Prime
  • Choice
  • Select

The highest quality of meat is USDA Prime.

It is the most tender and flavorful cut of meat. It is also hard to find and usually reserved for high-end restaurants. You may be able to find it at other supermarkets but at a premium price.

It has a high ratio of marbling and is the most tender.

The meat you get from Aldi is likely USDA Choice. It is the second-highest grade, and has less marbling and is generally less tender. Less marbling also means less flavor and juice.

If you’re shopping for steak, you’re probably not going to get the best steak from Aldi. 

If you want the best steak and want to know how to shop for the best steak, check out this recent article. I took an in-depth look at all the top grocers and the quality of meat sold there. Ultimately, I found which stores sold the best beef.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we talked about Aldi beef and where Aldi’s meat comes from.

We also talked about how Aldi’s meat is so cheap due to local sourcing and hiring limited staff. Also, they are able to save on transportation costs. 

We also talked about Aldi meat quality and that they sell USDA beef, mostly of Choice grade. We also learned about other USDA meat grades and compared grass-fed beef to grain-fed beef.

But on the parting note, I have a question for you – will you like to buy beef from Aldi?

Photo which requires attribution:

Aldi by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC2.0

ShopRite vs. Walmart: Which Is Better for Groceries?

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Neither ShopRite nor Walmart are fancy grocery stores. Both grocers are known for no-frills, low priced products in a fairly generic setting. But is one better, cheaper, or more convenient than the other? Today, we’ll examine ShopRite vs. Walmart: which is better for groceries?

Comparing ShopRite vs. Walmart, ShopRite is known for its better quality produce and for a wider range of products. On the other hand, Walmart has a MUCH larger number of stores in more places and offers much lower prices than ShopRite. 

However, cheaper doesn’t necessarily amount to better quality.

So I’ll be covering whether Walmart offers low prices comparing apples to apples. You’ll want to stick around to find out what you should never buy at Walmart and how its delivery compares to ShopRite’s.

I’ll also go into detail about which of the two grocery chains have the best products. Let’s get into it!

Are groceries cheaper at Walmart than ShopRite?

Yes. Most groceries are cheaper at Walmart than Shoprite. ShopRite does have low prices compared to many of its competitors, but Walmart, with a much high number of stores and its own distribution system, beats ShopRite on price on almost everything.

Keep reading to find out why!

As of January 31, 2020, Walmart has 4,756 stores spread across all 50 states. They use this as leverage, and it allows them to demand and receive the lowest prices from vendors.

ShopRite has been in the grocery game for almost as long as Walmart, but they are not as widely spread.

ShopRite only operates in 6 states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania, with only 300 stores.

That’s a weak competition against a retail giant. Another fact is that ShopRite doesn’t own its own distribution, so it’s much harder to maintain really low pricing.

Here are other ways Walmart’s prices beat those at ShopRite.

Competitor Price Match

Unlike ShopRite, Walmart will price match for your online orders. They have stopped doing this in stores, but if you find a retailer selling the same item as Walmart at a lower price, they will price match online.

Simply contact them via online chat or phone before you place your order online.

The item must be identical in brand, quantity, color, size, and model. Here’s a comparison of two identical items purchased at both stores:

Product Walmart Price ShopRite Price
40oz Jif Peanut Butter $5.64 $6.94
10oz Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips $1.98 $2.49
Organic Chicken Broth $1.84 $3.59
Large Haas Avocado .50 cents $2.50
Sharp Cheddar Cheese Block $2.22 $4.99

Cashback on Walmart’s Credit Card

ShopRite’s Price Plus Card offers great coupon savings but no cashback or other benefits.

The Walmart credit card gives you 5% cashback on all orders placed on Walmart.com. There is no annual fee, and you can get cashback even if you shop elsewhere. You are awarded 1% cashback wherever MasterCard is accepted.

Walmart’s Private Label Brand

Let’s talk about house brands between both retailers.

Walmart’s Great Value brand is less expensive than national brands and has 1000+ items under its name. If you’re looking for a bigger bargain than Walmart’s already low prices, then it’s the brand for you.

The brand carries all the staple items you’d get at your local grocery store.

Keep in mind, though, that you’ll get what you pay for, so some products won’t be the best quality. In comparison, ShopRite’s brand Wholesome Pantry is cheaper than national brands but with less than 500 items.

The simple fact is that ShopRite is not a big competitor when it comes to beating Walmart’s prices. That being said, cheaper doesn’t amount to better quality. Don’t worry, we’ll get to that next so keep reading!

Are Walmart Groceries good?

Unfortunately, not all of Walmart’s groceries are high-quality. Their main goal is low-price compared to more high-end grocers like Whole Foods Market. However, they have many great items, at low prices, under the Great Value house brand.

You won’t find as many healthy products as you would at ShopRite, so you might want to shop there for a better selection if your main goal is quality vs price.

At Walmart, you get what you pay for. There are good quality products there, but you’ll have to sift through to find them.

Here’s are some of the top house brand items at Walmart that are not only a great price, but also quality products:

  • Great Value Organic Unsweetened Coconut Flakes, 7 oz – $1.98
  • Great Value Long Grain Enriched Rice, 10 lbs – $4.54
  • Great Value Tomato Ketchup, 64 oz – $2.52
  • Great Value Clover Raw Honey, 32 oz (100% real) – $7.93
  • Great Value Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 17 fl oz – $3.96

One thing Walmart does sell a lot of are cigarettes and other tobacco products.

With grocery delivery being such a hot commodity these days, you may have wondered about getting tobacco delivered. There are some restrictions, but believe it or not, you can get smokes delivered to your house. Learn more here in my recent article.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

How much is the ShopRite delivery fee compared to Walmart?

ShopRite’s delivery fee is set at $10, and there’s no minimum order. While Walmart charges between $7.95 and $9.95 depending on the delivery window, and until you meet the $30 minimum threshold. Walmart’s Delivery Unlimited membership gets you free unlimited delivery and costs $12.95 a month or $98 a year.

Also, at Shoprite, while the service fee won’t be waived if you opt for grocery pickup, in some cases, there won’t be additional fees for delivery.

Want to save even more money on grocery delivery?

Check out my recent article on DoorDash delivery from Walmart. This is a must-read as I’ll cover the best perks that DoorDash offers to Walmart customers.

Just click on the above link to read it on my website.

What should you NOT buy at Walmart?

Though Walmart sells almost everything, there are some things that you should not buy at Walmart because their quality isn’t all that great. For example, Ground beef, seafood, and some fresh produce are things you should skip at Walmart. 

Ground Beef

I’ve sold a lot of beef in my 20+ years in the grocery industry, so you can trust my word on whether beef is of good quality or not.

All of Walmart’s meat is “case-ready.”

This means that their meat is cut and packaged at a meatpacking plant and not by an in-store butcher. While there’s a low risk of spoilage compared to meat prepared onsite, it’s the preservatives used that is a cause for concern.

Based on recent customer reviews, the quality of their beef is not all that great.

A few reviews stated that the ground beef had so many tendons and connective tissue that it was hard to chew. Others stated that they found pieces of bone.

Walmart also lacks transparency about their meat sources, making it harder to trust them.

Seafood

Walmart is not big on the sustainability of seafood.

You might think that’s a loose claim but if you do make a trip there, check the packaging on their imported shrimp from Thailand. The workers, including children, are treated poorly and work in unsavory conditions to farm shrimp.

According to Greenpeace, Walmart is ranked among the lowest in the industry for seafood sustainability.

A lot of the fish contain large amounts of mercury. The worst part is that there is very little transparency about all this.

Fresh Produce

While the loaded bins at every Walmart store tempt you with brightly colored fruits and vegetables, they may not be as fresh as you think.

Walmart was ranked as the worst grocery store two years in a row, based on a consumer survey done by 7,000 Americans. They were rated on numerous categories, including the quality of their produce.

While Whole Foods gets its produce from farms less than a couple of hours away, Walmart has a different definition of local.

By Walmart’s definition, any product sold in the same state it is grown is considered local. This is possibly the reason Walmart’s produce is usually not that good.

They are transported many miles before reaching the shelves.

Does ShopRite have better products than Walmart?

ShopRite offers a healthier selection than Walmart, and the prices are reasonable for the quality you’ll get. For example, Walmart’s meat quality is somewhat questionable, whereas ShopRite is known for its excellent beef quality.

So, while ShopRite stores are at a disadvantage for their accessibility, it might be worth it to make a trip to the store closest to you.

Wholesome Pantry Organic is a USDA Certified Organic brand that ShopRite has.

This is one brand you can count on for quality organic products at low prices. Maybe not as low as Walmart’s Great Value brand but low for “organic.” The products are free from 110 preservatives and artificial flavors, so it’s definitely worth trying.

ShopRite’s Bowl and Basket brand is a great option if you want reasonably priced prepared salads.

The same can’t be said for Walmart, as we discussed in a previous question.

ShopRite has a larger selection of food that fall under special diets. This includes Kosher, Asian, and Polish. You would have a very hard time finding these at Walmart.

We already established that Walmart’s meat quality is more than a little concerning. On the other hand, ShopRite has been recognized for excellence in beef. They received the award for meat quality, sales, and marketing.

So, you’re learning a bit about ShopRite here, but there’s more to it.

At this point, you might want to know how ShopRite compares to other grocers who are big in the grocery game. Check out my recent article on Whole Foods versus ShopRite.

I’ll get into the details of how the world’s largest supermarket cooperative and the world’s largest retailer of organic foods differ.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we covered exactly why Walmart is cheaper than ShopRite.

The main reasons are a large number of stores they have compared to ShopRite and their price match policy. We compared the delivery service fees of both retailers and saw that Walmart offered more perks.

You also learned that Walmart’s products are some of the lowest rankings in the industry, and ShopRite has better products.

What’s most concerning about the products are the ingredients used, methods to source them, and the quality of their produce. I talked about whether Walmart’s groceries are good and items you should definitely not buy there.

Additional sources – https://www.businessinsider.com/whole-foods-wegmans-shoprite-price-comparison-2019-4

Photos which require attribution:

Walmart by Mike Mozart and ShopRite North Bergen, NJ 2 by Mike Kalasnik are licensed under CC2.0

Why is Instacart so Slow? (and how to get orders faster!)

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Using an online grocery delivery service is incredibly convenient with how much time and hassle it can save you. But when it comes to one of the US’s largest grocery delivery services, people often ask why is Instacart so slow?

Why is Instacart so slow? Supply and demand. As more people use the service, it gets harder to find enough Instacart Shoppers to accommodate the increase. However, Instacart is still able to deliver on time for 90% of orders. Scheduling off-peak delivery times can also help with on-time arrivals.

In this article, we’re diving deep into Instacart.

I’ll help you understand how Instacart delivery works, if they give you set delivery slots, and what to do when no delivery time is available. But we’ll also look at average delivery times, and what steps you can take to ensure your order is delivered on time.

Just keep reading to know more about Instacart deliveries. 

Ready to order from Instacart? CLICK HERE to get started with your order!

How long does Instacart usually take?

The company advertises same-day delivery and states “in as fast as an hour”. You can also specify when you’ll like your grocery delivered. But like any business, it’s all about supply (of drivers) and demand (orders coming in). Peak delivery times can sometimes mean up to a 5-hour wait.

However, at off-peak times, you can also have your deliveries in two hours or less.

You may also place orders ahead of time, which is a great option, especially if you’re the type who likes to plan in advance. That way, you could ensure that you never run out of stuff, instead of waiting to order at the last minute!

Instacart is one of the biggest and best online grocery delivery services out there, but in some cases, its delivery time leaves a lot to be desired.

One of the main reasons is they don’t have enough shoppers to cope with the surge in demand as more and more people switch to grocery delivery and pickup.

If you’re considering other options, DoorDash is a good platform.

You can find out about its alliance with Walmart in a recent article of mine. Just click the link to read it on my site.

In the article, I explored how it works with Walmart, the states it operates in, the few where it doesn’t operate in, how to get your groceries from Walmart, whether you’re supposed to tip the drivers, and even the markup it adds to the store price.

So, now, we know the average delivery time, let’s understand how Instacart works, in a nutshell.

How does Instacart delivery work?

With Instacart, you order, set a delivery window, and pay & tip all from the app. You decide which store(s) to order from & add specific items to your cart. Instacart employees, known as Shoppers, shop the order, pay on your behalf, and then deliver it, or stage it for pickup depending on which option you select.

Instacart is available in over 5000 cities in the US

So, using its mobile app or website, you can buy groceries online. Then the Instacart Shoppers go to the grocery stores, pick each item, pay, and drive (in their own car) to deliver the items to you.

A Shopper may have to visit more than one store if they can’t find everything on your grocery list.

And, there are a few items it doesn’t deliver, such as tobacco (but click to read my recent article on who DOES deliver tobacco products). Just click that link to read it on my site.

Essentially, the platform allows you to create a virtual shopping cart – a common way of ordering most products and services we buy these days. And, because the products can’t be delivered digitally, a human being brings all you’ve ordered to your door.

Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of using Instacart:

  • Visit the website or download the app.
  • Choose a store and enter your location.
  • Fill the virtual shopping cart (with what you’ll like to order).
  • Select your item substitutes and delivery time.
  • Pay and place your order.
  • You can track the progress of your order.
  • Ensure that you’re available to collect your order

In most cases, the prices of the products are higher than those in the stores. You’ll also pay a delivery charge (and it’s cool to tip the Shoppers).

Most people tip on the app, but you can tip in cash in person if you wish. But how much to tip?

In a recent article of mine, I provided a guide on what to tip Instacart shoppers. While Instacart suggests a 5% tip, it’s probably a better idea to tip a lot more than that. But I’ll get into those details in the article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Does the platform promise a set delivery time? That’s just what I was about to write about.

When I order from Instacart, do they give you a set delivery time?

Instacart customers are given a set delivery window, mostly within five-hours. Their delivery windows start at 9 am and runs to midnight. While they advertise “as fast as an hour”, that’s not always true during peak hours. But the earlier you place your order, the more likely you are to receive an on-time delivery.

Because of the demand increase of 2020, and probably complaints about slow service, the company has launched two new features.

The company also announced that it was going to employ more shoppers. I’ll explain how both new features work.

In another recent article of mine, I wrote about everything you need to know about Instacart pick up. It works similarly to grocery delivery with 1 key difference!

Just click the link to read it on my site.

And before I forget, you can also use Instacart to order and pay for groceries to be delivered to other people.

But why is Instacart slow? Keep reading!

Does Instacart take longer to deliver than promised?

Most of the time, Instacart deliveries are made on time. Demand for Instacart orders has soared by over 300% this year, and that the average order has grown by 35%. Yet the company is still able to deliver on time 90% of the time.

This surge in demand is the highest it has ever experienced.

This is apt to affect any company’s efficiency, but they only miss their appointed time about 10% of the time.

Instacart has employed more people to cope with the astronomical increase in demand, and it introduced two new features aimed at ensuring that groceries are delivered when promised.

In mid-2020, when demand was at its highest, delivery times were as long as five days!

It has normalized now. Yet, the company has planned to employ 500,000 more shoppers. A substantial fraction may have been engaged since it’s rare to see a large number of people complaining about slow delivery times anymore.

The platform naturally charges you more than what you’ll pay at the store (the price of convenience, if you like).

This is a standard business practice since it incurs costs in delivering its service. I showed that it doesn’t always charge more.

But how much are you actually being charged?

I researched it, and in a recent article of mine, I shared all you need to know. Just click the link to read it on my site. I even showed the stores whose prices it doesn’t markup, and I compared Instacart and Aldi’s prices.

But can you always place your order at any time?

What does it mean when the app says Instacart delivery time not available?

When the Instacart app says no delivery times available, it means there are no shoppers currently available to take and deliver your orders. They would rather tell you no than take your order knowing it would not be handled promptly.

In effect, the system is overwhelmed!

This happens, though infrequently when the demand outstrips the number of shoppers who are free to serve you.

As you probably know, Instacart does not have its own store. Its shoppers have to go from store to store picking and delivering others to different parts of the city.

For additional help, you may visit the Instacart Help Center. Just click on the link and search for your query on Instacart’s website. 

Or perhaps, try again later!

How can I speed up my Instacart order?

In spring 2020, Instacart introduced 2 new services designed to speed up the order & delivery process for customers. Their “Fast & Flexible” program allows customers to have their order delivered by the first available Shopper, instead of just scheduling it for a set window. 

Then their “Order Ahead” program allows customers to place orders up to 2 weeks ahead of time.

That effectively doubles the previous delivery window of 7 days. You can also build your delivery cart of products well in advance too which didn’t use to be an option.

Checking the “Leave at My Door” delivery option also allows for faster delivery as they don’t have to wait for someone to be home.

Lastly, if you’re a regular Instacart user, consider joining Instacart Express.

You’ll avoid the per shop delivery fees and get faster deliveries. The program does come with an annual fee of $99 though. But if you order from Instacart regularly, it’s totally worth it. 

Final Thoughts

In the preceding paragraphs, we checked out:

  • How Instacart operates
  • Its delivery time
  • The reliability of the service
  • How to use the platform
  • And what is meant when the app shows “delivery time not available” and what to do about it

We learned that the platform is one of the best and that there are some occasions that explain why Instacart is so slow.

This is probably caused the uptick in demand this year, but they are still doing just great. 

Ready to order from Instacart? CLICK HERE to get started with your order!

Photo which requires attribution:

Instacart_PwG_anim_02 by 姿穎 呂 is licensed under Public Domain

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Is Wegmans Expensive? [Price Comparison with Whole Foods]

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There are some stores out there that just have a good reputation, and then you start wondering about them. I’ve heard really good things about Wegmans, and it got me wondering – is Wegmans expensive?

Is Wegmans expensive? Yes. They are generally 9% more expensive than Whole Foods Market and significantly above Walmart. They do, however, fare better than ShopRite, and have excellent prices on their private label products. 

But there’s much more to know about Wegmans.

Like, do you know that Wegman is more affordable than Whole Foods? Or how Wegmans prices compare with Trader Joe’s and Walmart? Or what exactly is Wegmans known for?

To know all the answers, just keep reading!

Is Wegmans affordable?

Yes, it is! Wegmans is very affordable. While not a bottom of the barrel grocery retailer like Walmart, Wegmans does offer very competitive pricing while still maintaining the look and feel of a store more like Whole Foods Market.

In fact, in a recent price comparison by Yutong Yuan of Business Insider, Wegmans consistently beat ShopRite on almost every item checked. (source)

Wegmans is consistently ranked as one of the best grocery chains by Business Insider.

Even though they are a regional store, they beat out Amazon, Costco, and Publix when it comes to great places to shop. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, they can only be found in the Northeastern US and the east coast.

Wegman’s branded items are often rated better than their name-brand counterparts and are much cheaper. If you have to have Cheerios, you should purchase them elsewhere.

But if Wegmans Toasted Grains will do, they are cheaper and have great flavor.

One of the best things about Wegmans, though, is that they double coupons up to $0.99! If you’re trying to save money, this is a great way to do it, as you can get many items for pennies on the dollar by using coupons at Wegmans.

But Wegmans isn’t just a grocery store.

While people may call it a grocery store, it’s much more than that. A grocery store is typically a small, specialized store. Wegmans are very large supermarkets that stock up to 70,000 products.

But what’s the difference between a grocery store and a supermarket?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are differences. To learn the differences between a grocery store and a supermarket, check out this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Is Whole Foods more expensive than Wegmans?

Overall, Whole Foods is generally cheaper than Wegmans. A recent price comparison between the 2 grocers found that Wegmans was 9% higher compared to Whole Foods Market.

Of course, it’s worth pointing out that a one-time price snapshot may not tell the whole store.

After all, prices change daily in some cases, and seasonality can affect pricing too. But at the end of the day, Whole Foods Market has 500 stores compared to Wegman’s 103 stores.

That gives Whole Foods Market a lot more buying power and clout.

Going back to that price comparison I mentioned above, here’s a quick snapshot of how the 2 grocers compared at the time of that shop:

Item Wegman’s Price Whole Foods Price
Large Avocado $1.49 $1.49
Organic Kale $2.99 $1.99
Sweet Onion $1.49/lb $1.49/lb
1 lb Organic Carrots $1.29 .99 cents
Seedless Grapes $2.99/lb $2.99/lb
Organic Chicken Broth $2.29 $2.99
Natural Chicken Breasts $8.61 $9.76
Block of Cheddar Cheese $8.84 $4.67
Siggi’s Single-Serve Yogurt $1.49 $1.59
Organic Round Crackers $3.49 $3.79
Total $34.97 $31.75

Whole Foods and Wegmans are both very similar when it comes to experiences.

They both have a hot bar and dine-in eating. Both spend more money on decor, lighting, flooring & fixtures than your average grocery store.

They both want you to hang around a while and make shopping for groceries an event. And they both sell the grab and go meals that you can cook at home. Natural and organically grown options are also featured extensively at both stores.

Wegmans is a much larger store than Whole Foods, although Whole Foods Market is, of course, nationwide as opposed to a regional grocer.

But Whole Foods is more specialized than Wegmans.

Whole Foods is the leader in natural and organic foods. And while the acquisition by Amazon has lowered prices and Prime members get great deals, they didn’t receive the moniker “Whole Paycheck” for nothing.

But making natural and organic food mainstream costs money.

Whole Foods has more than 100 animal welfare standards when it comes to meat. They have also gone above and beyond standards set by the FDA when it comes to items sold in the store.

Whole Foods has compiled its own list of unacceptable ingredients.

Ingredients like hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners are banned from its stores. If a food contains any of these ingredients, you won’t see it on their shelves.

This is one of the reasons Whole Foods sells the best steaks.

To read more about which grocery store has the best steaks, and why, read this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Is Wegmans more expensive than Trader Joe’s?

Generally yes. Wegmans is more expensive than Trader Joes although their prices on their private label products are comparable. Wegmans spends a lot more money on store decor and operations and is also much more of a 1-stop shopping experience. Those expenses translate into slightly higher prices.

But they have a lot of similarities on the surface.

Wegmans and Trader Joe’s both have cult-like followings with fans that rave about them. They both have excellent in-house brands and exciting store designs.

At almost 500 stores, Trader Joe’s is more massive than Wegmans in the number of stores. But Wegmans has superior customer service and exceptional store design.

But the thing that really makes Wegmans superior to Trader Joe’s is its number of hot and ready-made takeout options.

Trader Joe’s does have a small station near the back of the store where you can taste some products. But Wegmans has not only samples of many products, but they also have a wide variety of hot food and takeout.

They have all kinds of cuisine, like the Mediterranean and Asian, sushi counters, and even a make your own pizza bar!

Stores have coffee stations and cocktail bars, too.

What is Wegmans famous for?

Wegmans is known for its warm, friendly stores, consistently winning awards for both the shopping experience and working conditions. Their stores are quite large but still have a neighborhood market feel. But their product selection, a mix of gourmet, natural, organic & conventional, is often superior to other grocers.

But those are just a couple of reasons people love Wegmans.

The most notable thing about Wegmans that sets them apart from other grocery stores is all of their grab and go food.

They have a Mediterranean bar. It’s so much more than just olives. It’s got a variety of Mediterranean inspired options like hummus, roasted red peppers, and bruschetta. Customers can even make their very own tapas-style plates.

They have DIY bars where customers can make their own trail mix and nut butter. The Market Cafe offers sushi, sub sandwiches, pizza, and coffee. There’s even an eat-in restaurant and cocktail bar!

How are Wegmans prices compared to Walmart?

Walmart is cheaper than Wegmans. Walmart’s top priority is price. Wegmans, however, places priorities on quality, selection, customer service, and decor. This naturally makes them more expensive than Walmart.

In the grand scheme of things, Wegman’s prices are very reasonable. 

But on the other hand, Walmart’s selection and quality are going to be quite limited. Wegmans’ most reasonably priced products are their house brands.

You are also going to do a different kind of shopping at Walmart than you’ll do at Wegmans.

If you’re wanting Coca Cola, Cheetos, Velveeta, and Coor’s Light, Walmart is clearly the way to go. But grocery shopping at Wegmans will be more of an experience.

You go to Wegmans, not just for the reasonable prices, but because you will want to spend a couple of hours hanging out.

Maybe you’ll want one of those delicious sandwiches or something from the Mediterranean bar.

If you’re a Shoprite shopper, you may be wondering if it’s worth it to check out Wegmans. Luckily, I wrote this recent article comparing Shoprite and Wegmans.

Just click the link to read it on my website.

Final Thoughts

In this article, I talked about whether Wegmans is an affordable place to shop.

I talked about whether Whole Foods or Wegmans is more expensive. And I talked about whether Wegmans or Trader Joe’s is more expensive. We also discussed what makes Wegmans famous. And then, I compared its prices to Walmart.

Are you going to start shopping at Wegmans?

Photos which require attribution:

Wegmans by F Delventhal and Wegmans by F Delventhal (he named them the same) are licensed under CC2.0

Whole Foods vs. Fresh Direct: Which is Better?

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Online grocery shopping has never been so popular. So, as someone who’s worked in the grocery industry for 20+ years and takes grocery shopping very seriously, I’ve decided to do some research on two popular grocery delivery services – Whole Foods vs. Fresh Direct.

Whole Foods vs. Fresh Direct. Fresh Direct partners with locals farmers and fishermen to ensure extremely fresh & local products. Whole Foods, however, has a much wider selection of produce. Also, Fresh Direct doesn’t offer same-day deliveries and is more expensive than Whole Foods.

But that’s not the whole story. 

There are many more points of difference between Whole Foods and Fresh Direct. For instance, you must also know which of the two is expensive or has better delivery time and packages. Also, they vary in terms of the variety of produce, among other things. 

Keep reading to find out how the two services differ!

What is Fresh Direct, and is it more expensive than Amazon Fresh delivery from Whole Foods?

Fresh Direct is an online grocery service.

And yes, it is more expensive than Amazon Fresh. Keep reading to find out what they offer and how the two services compare to each other.

Fresh Direct is best known for its selection of fresh produce, seafood, and prepared foods.

Their groceries are custom packaged, weighed, and priced. Fresh Direct has its own grocery facility, so it’s unlike other services where a random shopper buys your groceries from multiple stores.

Regular groceries found in your typical grocery store are available as well as a wide selection of Kosher foods.

Creating an account with Fresh Direct is free, and you immediately unlock the ease of online grocery shopping. That being said, their delivery fees range from $5.99 to $15.99, depending on your area.

Fresh Direct does offer three premium memberships.

Delivery Pass membership – 6 month 

This membership costs $79 and auto-renews at six months, though you can cancel anytime.

Delivery Pass membership – 1 year

If you plan to use the service for longer and more frequently, you can opt for the one-year Delivery Pass membership that costs $129.

That saves you $29 already.

Mid-Week Delivery membership – 6 month 

The final membership is the six-month Midweek delivery costing a single payment of $39. This plan allows you to have groceries delivered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, free of cost.

These three memberships get you unlimited free delivery, freebies, exclusive promotions, and the option to reserve your delivery time slots.

You can reserve a time slot of one week before you checkout. But that’s not the best part! As a first-timer, Fresh Direct gives you a two month free trial of the DeliveryPass membership.

But what about Amazon Fresh?

Amazon Fresh is amazing! Your Prime Membership allows you to get free delivery on all orders that meet the minimum order threshold.

You also get an additional 10% off sale prices.

They offer Attended Delivery, Unattended Delivery, and Pickup in select areas. Your groceries are delivered in just 2 hours after checkout, and it gets even better! Amazon Fresh Pickup has no minimum order, and you can pick up your groceries in just 30 minutes.

Is Fresh Direct worth it?

Fresh Direct allows its customers to enjoy convenience without compromising.

The company partners with local farmers and fishermen to provide fresh produce and seafood. They go the extra mile to distribute meat and dairy from the source.

But there’s more to be considered. Just keep reading!

Unlike Amazon Fresh, Fresh Direct doesn’t allow you to get same-day delivery. However, you can order a day ahead, as late as 11 pm, and your groceries will be delivered at your chosen timeslot the following day.

With the paid memberships, you can reserve a timeslot up to 1 week before you want your groceries delivered.

So it’s worth mentioning that the service will be the best fit if you want scheduled deliveries but not for emergency grocery shopping.

Fresh Direct does send you frequent emails with great discounts and promo codes, which is a great way to save money. Keep an eye out for those, and you are sure to catch some good deals.

While Fresh Direct does have a decent selection of seafood, meats, produce, and a variety of brands to choose from, you might have trouble finding items if you have dietary restrictions.

This is not the case with Whole Foods. Whether its Gluten-Free, Paleo, Vegan, or Keto-Friendly, they have foods for every specialty diet.

Whole Foods has such a wide selection of products not found in your typical grocery store. And you might think that’s the only reason they are more expensive than other grocers.

I worked with Whole Foods for many, many years, so I’m a source you can trust. Check out my recent article on why Whole Foods is more expensive. But I also cover just how much prices have dropped since Amazon bought them.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Where Fresh Direct wins over Amazon Fresh is through packaging. While it can be a hassle to unpack, Fresh Direct distributes groceries in special padded packaging to prevent damage.

You can expect that your avocados will be bruise-free, and your wine glasses won’t crack during transport. Amazon Fresh does have insulated and reusable shopping bags.

However, there is no extra care to protect the more delicate groceries like a bottle of wine.

What is the minimum online order for Fresh Direct and Whole Foods?

Fresh Direct’s minimum order is $30, and this does not include their delivery fee and tax.

According to their FAQ page, the minimum order for corporate deliveries is $50. In Manhattan, the delivery fee is $14.99 and $9.99 elsewhere.

Whole Foods gives you free delivery on orders $35 and over.

It isn’t hard to spend $35, especially if you have a large family. Any orders less than that amount, the delivery fee is $4.99. Another perk of meeting the $35 threshold is express delivery within 1 hour of checkout.

This is perfect for those last-minute grocery needs. However, if your delivery address isn’t eligible for this, then you will have to meet a $50 threshold to get free shipping.

How do Fresh Direct service areas compare to Whole Foods?

Fresh Direct only delivers to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Here is a complete list of delivery areas and delivery fees.

Whole Foods has 487 locations in the United States.

The stores operate in 355 cities, with 88 in California alone. Here’s an updated list of Whole Foods locations. Amazon Fresh is available in more than 2,000 cities, so the chance of your delivery address not being eligible is very slim. And remember, you still have the Pickup option.

If you’re a wine lover, this next bit might not be comforting.

Fresh Direct does not deliver alcohol outside the state of New York. They have hundreds of wines and spirits, but this won’t benefit you if you don’t live in New York. This is a great inconvenience since you would pay to have groceries but still have to lug with alcohol from the liquor store.

Amazon Fresh does deliver alcohol in all cities where the service is available.

They also have a wider selection of alcohol. The requirement is the same as other grocery delivery services. You must be either 21 years or older and will have to show a valid ID upon delivery.

Now, you might wonder if any other delivery services deliver alcohol.

Check out my recent article on the Instacart delivery service and whether they deliver alcohol or not. I cover their alcohol delivery policies, how to order, alcohol laws, and so much more!

Click on the link to read all about it.

What is the best grocery delivery service?

Amazon Fresh is considered the best grocery delivery service. Here’s why.

All that is required to use Amazon Fresh is an Amazon Prime Membership. You get free delivery as long as the order is $35 or more. The $119 fee a year is less than Fresh Direct’s $129, plus you get added benefits.

The selection is vast compared to other services, and the customer service is exceptional.

Instacart is another popular grocery delivery service with great convenience. Your shopper can deliver your order to your hotel room for hotels that allow it.

With Instacart, you can constantly communicate with your shopper and get your items from your favorite stores.

There are downsides, though. Your order might not be delivered on time, and items cannot be stored at the correct temperatures for long. You’ll also have to worry about price markups from different stores.

It can be frustrating to find out that your order of $60 went up to $115 at checkout.

Let me save you the trouble of figuring it out on your own. Here’s my recent article on why Instacart charges more than the store.

I cover everything on which stores use markups and the ones that don’t. I also go in detail on how to use Instacart Pickup. Click that link to get the scoop!

Final Thoughts

In this article, we examined whether Fresh Direct is more expensive than Amazon Fresh and realized that delivery is cheaper with Amazon Fresh.

We also discussed whether Fresh Direct was worth it or not and compared the minimum order total for both services. You also learned how Fresh Direct’s service areas compare to Whole Foods’.

Amazon Fresh and Fresh Direct are both great delivery services, but it is obvious, which is better. Overall, shopping at Whole Foods through Amazon Fresh is better based on convenience, selection, cost, and quality.

Photos which require attribution:

Amazon Fresh truck in Pioneer Square by SounderBruce and Fresh Direct by Andy Roberts is licensed under CC2.0

Why Are Grocery Stores Regional? (and which are nationwide?)

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If you’ve done any amount of traveling, you’ve probably noticed that you may not see the same grocery stores in other cities as you do at home. Knowing this made me wonder – why are grocery stores regional?

Why Are Grocery Stores Regional? Competition, complicated multi-state legalities, and the infrastructure to properly supply stores tend to limit growth. For example, Publix is only in the south. Kroger is only in certain cities & states. HEB is only in Texas & Safeway, while once nationwide, is mostly west coast now.

But there is a lot more to know about whether grocery stores are regional. I’ll dig into more details on various regional and nationwide stores, and where they are located.

Just keep reading to find out!

What are the top 10 grocery stores in the United States?

The best grocery stores carry similar themes.

They offer great value, have the best products, and strive to be essential to their communities. Yet, finding a store with all three can be challenging at best.

The ones that made the grade, and can be considered the best are listed below as per Food and Wine, in no particular order. Check if yours makes the cut.

  • Wegmans has been revered by fans for just being a really great grocery store. They have competitively-priced store brands, terrific sandwich shops, and surprisingly good sushi bars.
  • H-E-B is Texas’ most popular supermarket brand. They have beautifully designed stores, an abundance of fresh produce, and delicious prepared foods.
  • Lidl is a German budget supermarket chain and a competitor to Aldi. Both stores are minimally designed, with lots of reasonably priced, private label items. Both stores make grocery shopping a pleasant experience for folks of all budgets.
  • Hy-Vee is an employee-owned supermarket in Des Moines. They have many popular homestyle prepared meals, offer flexible time off to employees, and match customer donations to local food banks.
  • New Seasons in Portland offers high-quality organic products. Employees love working there and are seen as a bit of a gathering place for community members. Grocery stores want customers to gather. The longer customers are there, the more they tend to spend.
  • Also on the list are Costco, Winco Foods, Publix, Market Basket, and Trader Joe’s.

Those picks were based on a wide variety of areas.

But if you want to know what grocery stores have the best steaks, you should definitely read this recent article. Just click on the link to view it on my website.

You might be surprised to find that Whole Foods Market is one of the best places to buy steak. Not only are their steaks delicious, but they have over a hundred animal welfare standards, ensuring that all meat sold in its stores is humanely raised and slaughtered.

Just click the link to read it on my site!

Why is HEB only in Texas?

H-E-B started more than 100 years ago as a small, family-owned store in Kerrville, Texas.

Today, they have more than 340 stores and over 100,000 employees. In fact, they are one of the largest food chains in the US, And even so, they only have stores in Texas and Mexico.

And HEB shoppers LOVE HEB. They love it so much, people have had maternity photos and engagement photos taken at the store.

HEB also goes out of its way to support Texas charities, like local food banks and the Special Olympics. They also promote Texas-made products in their stores.

HEB is still a family-owned business.

Now HEB easily has the resources, infrastructure, and ability to go nationwide. But at the end of the day, that’s more work than just operating in Texas. And after all, HEB loves Texas, and Texas loves HEB.

If you are not fortunate enough to live in Texas, you may be wondering where to go to purchase the best chicken.

Just head over to this recent article to read about what stores have the best chicken.

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.

Just click the link to read more on my site.

Is there any grocery chain in all 50 states?

No is the short answer.

There are almost 40,000 grocery stores in the United States. Many of these grocery stores are regional, some services just a single state, like HEB in Texas.

But there are others that operate nationwide.

The largest grocery chain, by far, is Walmart, although you could make the argument that they are a department store that also happens to sell food. But as large as Walmart is, they do not operate in Hawaii, so they are only in 49 of the 50 states.

Kroger Company is the second-largest grocery chain. Kroger Company operates not just Kroger, but other grocery store brands like Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, and Ralphs. But it’s interesting that Kroger isn’t in most cities.

For example, Kroger was all over Dallas when I lived there but they have no stores in Austin, just 200 miles away.

But stores like Walmart and Target are really considered supermarkets rather than grocery stores. While the terms are often used interchangeably, grocery stores are much smaller and more specialized than supermarkets.

Supermarkets are larger in scale and carry a much wider selection of items. They have many more departments than a grocery store. Typically they will have an in-house butcher, floral department, or even a pharmacy.

Grocery stores can also be a lot more personal than supermarkets. Whole Foods is a supermarket but has a grocery store feel. They sell mostly natural, organic foods in a pleasant environment.

To read more about the differences between grocery stores and supermarkets, just read this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

What states are Krogers in?

With more than 3,500 stores nationwide, Kroger Company is the second-largest retailer after Walmart. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Kroger stores are predominant in the Midwestern and Southern United States.

You would think with this many stores, that they’d be in every state, but as it turns out, they are only in 35 states. The majority of their stores are in California.

If you want to see if there is a Kroger in your state, head over to the Kroger Company Website.

But here’s a quick glance at those 35 states:

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Is Safeway only in California?

Safeway was founded in American Falls, Idaho, by Marion Barton Skaggs. It was purchased by Albertsons in 2015.

In the 1920s, Safeway began acquiring smaller regional stores. Acquisitions included Piggly Wiggly, Daniel Reeves, and Thriftway Stores.

They also expanded internationally, opening stores in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, among others.

In 1929, Safeway moved its headquarters to Oakland, California. It remained headquartered there until 1996, when it moved to Pleasanton, California.

In the 1980s, Safeway began selling off stores.

I recall shopping in them in Austin when I was a kid. Then the store changed names to Budget (I think). Budget gave the impression of being employee-owned. That didn’t last long and at least in my town, the stores were sold to Randall’s out of Houston.

Ironically Randall’s was bought back by Safeway in 1999.

By 1989, their presence was reduced to several western states and Northern California, plus the Washington, DC area.

In 2015, Albertsons purchased Safeway. Since that time, a few stores in Florida, Denver, and Seattle have been rebranded as Safeway. But all grocery chain names combined, Albertson’s operates in 34 states plus Washington DC.

So, while there are a few Safeway stores outside of California, most of them are in California.

But since Albertson’s bought Safeway in 2015, their labels have grown to include all of the following grocery store brand names: (source)

  • Albertsons
  • Safeway
  • Vons
  • Jewel-Osco
  • Shaw’s
  • Acme
  • Tom Thumb
  • Randalls
  • United Supermarkets
  • Pavilions
  • Star Market
  • Haggen and Carrs

How many Publix stores are there in the US?

They are one of the largest US regional grocery chains and have more than 1,200 stores. They have their own manufacturing facilities where they produce their dairy, deli, bakery, and other private label food products.

Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the US. Headquartered in Lakeland, Florida, Publix operates throughout the Southeastern United States.

Like Whole Foods Market, Publix has a pretty large fan following.

Publix has been on Fortune magazine’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work for on multiple occasions. In fact, they are one of only eight companies that have been on the list since its inception in 1998.

The first Publix to open outside of Florida was in Savannah, Georgia, in 1991. Since then, they have expanded to South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Final thoughts

With 40,000 grocery chains across the United States, it’s not surprising only a few of them are nationwide.

Great grocery stores, like HEB in Texas, are loved by fans and want you to hang out for a while. Impersonal supermarkets like Walmart and Target have stores in just about every state.

Safeway used to be nationwide, but is now primarily on the West Coast, while Publix is regional to the southeast.

But don’t discount non-chain stores that are only in 1 state (or city)! Some of my favorite stores are one-off stores like Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor Michigan!

Kroger vs. Walmart: Which Is Better?

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Kroger is the second-largest grocery store in the US after Walmart. But many Kroger shoppers wonder if it’s really worth paying more money for groceries than if they shopped at Walmart. So today, we’re looking at Kroger vs. Walmart.

Kroger vs Walmart: They are 2 of the largest grocers in the US. You can save money shopping at Walmart, but Walmart picks inventory based on low price more than quality. At Kroger, you’ll get better quality meat & produce, and Kroger’s Simple Truth private label lines mean low priced natural & organic food items too.

But there is much more to know to find out if Kroger is better than Walmart, and how.

We’ll compare their prices and produce quality. We will also discuss if being unionized has any effect on the working, produce quality, or prices of a grocery store. 

Just keep reading to find out!

No matter which you prefer, skip the lines and hassles, and order from Walmart or Kroger through Instacart.

Just CLICK HERE to learn more and get your groceries on their way!

Is produce cheaper at Walmart or Kroger?

Overall, grocery prices at Walmart are about 4% less than they are at Kroger. However, Kroger is cheaper than Walmart when it comes to proteins, dairy, and overall produce. (source)

Kroger offers steep discounts on a few of the most purchased items, like apples, green grapes, baby carrots, and bell peppers. However, most of the remaining produce, like bananas, spinach, pre-cut produce, and organic produce are more expensive at Kroger. 

Kroger is also 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. 

Both Kroger and Walmart are constantly working on expanding their produce departments. While Kroger is adding more new stores, Walmart is widening aisles and installing bins to give their produce departments a more “farmers market” feel.

The price of produce is important, but the freshness is key. If the produce isn’t fresh, shoppers won’t want to shop at the store.

Another important factor is meat. Walmart may have cheaper produce, but their meat quality is lacking.

The best meat, especially steaks, can be found at Whole Foods. Check out this recent article about what makes a good steak and why Whole Foods is the best place to buy them.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Is Kroger higher priced than Walmart?

Generally, yes.

Walmart and Kroger have been in a price war for quite a while.

According to Business Insider, Walmart’s groceries are about 4% cheaper than Kroger’s. Besides, the most expensive groceries on Kroger’s shelves are nonperishable and frozen items.

Kroger is 3.3% cheaper in the “fresh” category for things like proteins, dairy, and vegetables. But that’s mostly because of steep discounts on staple items like eggs, green grapes, baby carrots, and chicken breasts.

Without those items, Kroger’s “fresh” items were 15% more expensive than Walmart’s.

Even though Kroger has been aggressively reducing prices to better compete with Walmart, they just can’t seem to get at Walmart’s price point.

Even though they both sell groceries, Kroger and Walmart are considered “supermarkets.”

While the terms grocery store and supermarket are often used interchangeably, grocery stores are usually more focused on a specific category of food or targeted demographic.

Supermarkets have lots of choices, counters with butchers, and fresh seafood. To read more about the differences between grocery stores and supermarkets, read this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

How does Kroger vs. Walmart quality compare?

When it comes to fresh items, like meat and produce, Walmart’s quality is not as good as Kroger’s. In fact, most grocery stores will have better quality meat and produce than Walmart.

I’ve found that Walmart’s produce tends to go bad quicker than Kroger. And their meat is not very good.

Walmart’s goal is to keep prices low. Sometimes that means sacrificing quality for lower prices.

While Walmart is still cheaper, Kroger has a better variety of processed foods. For example, if there is a certain brand of cereal bar that you like, and Walmart sells it, it will likely be cheaper at Walmart. But if you want more choices to pick from, Kroger will be the better option.

Kroger also carries more and better name brands than Walmart. Many times Walmart will only have one or two brands to choose from.

Therefore, if the price is your most important factor, Walmart is a better choice. You’ll save more money at Walmart. But if quality and variety are important, Kroger will be your better option.

Is Kroger bigger than Walmart?

Walmart is the largest grocer in the US, with more than 5,000 locations nationwide.

Stores under the Walmart umbrella include supercenters, discount stores, Neighborhood Markets, Sam’s Clubs, and small-format stores. And they can be found just about everywhere. In fact, they are in 49 of our 50 states here in the US (Hawaii is the lone exception).

According to Forbes, Walmart exceeds $500 billion in sales every year. And it’s really no surprise.

Their prices are low. They are constantly making it easier for customers to make purchases. Shoppers shop online for groceries or for retail items.

Customers can then have their groceries delivered to them, or they can pick them up without ever having to go to the store.

As far as retail items, Walmart has again made it easy to pick up purchases at Pickup Towers. This makes it super convenient to purchase what you want without spending time roaming the store and waiting in long lines at checkout.

As the second-largest retailer, Kroger has 2,764 stores.

Stores under the Kroger operate supermarkets, multi-department stores, warehouse clubs, and convenience stores under 30 banners.

Though Walmart may have more stores, Kroger covers more ground. However, Kroger’s sales are significantly less than Walmart’s, which has about $121 billion in sales every year.

Also, Kroger’s chicken is likely better than Walmart’s chicken, which is known for low prices, but not quality.

To read about what grocery stores have the best meat, check out this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Are Kroger or Walmart Unionized, and does it make a difference?

Walmart is not unionized, but Kroger is.

People complain a lot about how Walmart treats their employees, but having a union doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be treated better as an employee or have better working conditions.

Take a look at Publix. Publix has never been unionized but has been on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For for 23 years in a row. They’ve made it on the list every year since the list started in 1998. 

And you’ll see similar positive results from Whole Foods Market, my former employer, which (for the most part) has remained steadfastly non-union since starting in 1981.

From what I could find, Kroger, despite being unionized, has never been on the list.

Labor unions were initially started to ensure that employees were paid a fair wage, received benefits, and had safe working conditions.

These days, however, those protections are covered under state and federal labor laws that didn’t exist when unions were needed.

Union membership is steadily declining, too.

There are many reasons for the drop in membership, but modern labor laws are one factor. That, and most (but certainly not all) businesses understand they have to treat employees decently in order to retain them.

As a GM at Whole Foods for many years, I hired probably hundreds, if not thousands, of former union grocery workers from other stores.

I’d estimate that over 90% were very happy to be working non-union, and overall felt they had a better work environment, pay, and benefits.

As far as cost to the consumer, it doesn’t really have any effect.

So in the big picture, being unionized doesn’t really matter. Unions played an important role in protecting workers, especially in the early to mid-1900s. But in many regards, the protections they offer are no longer worth the dues to workers.

I’m sure there are exceptions, especially in other industries, but that’s how I see it in this day and age.

Final Thoughts

Kroger and Walmart are two of the largest supermarkets in the United States.

In this article, I compared prices between Kroger and Walmart. We learned how Walmart is bigger than Kroger in size and sales. Besides, Walmart has limited variety, but better prices. On the other hand, Kroger has a better quality of fresh foods, more variety of processed foods, but higher prices.

I also talked about whether Kroger and Walmart are unionized and whether it makes a difference to you, the consumer. 

So, which supermarket do you prefer?

No matter which you prefer, skip the lines and hassles, and order from Walmart or Kroger through Instacart.

Just CLICK HERE to learn more and get your groceries on their way!

Photos which require attribution:

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

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”pWaRqdgw” upload-date=”Fri Sep 11 2020 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”Kroger vs. Walmart: Which Is Better?” description=”Kroger is the second-largest grocery store in the US after Walmart. But many Kroger shoppers wonder if it’s really worth paying more money for groceries than if they shopped at Walmart. So today, we’re looking at Kroger vs. Walmart. Here’s what I discovered: Kroger vs Walmart: They are 2 of the largest grocers in the US. You can save money shopping at Walmart, but Walmart picks inventory based on low price more than quality. At Kroger, you’ll get better quality meat & produce, and Kroger’s Simple Truth private label lines mean low priced natural & organic food items too. But there is much more to know to find out if Kroger is better than Walmart, and how. We’ll compare their prices and produce quality. We will also discuss if being unionized has any effect on the working, produce quality, or prices of a grocery store. Just keep reading to find out!”]

ShopRite vs. Wegmans: Which is better?

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Wegmans stores are enormous, selections are excellent, and pricing is reasonable for the quality provided. ShopRite, on the other hand, is known for its low prices and tons of coupons and promos. So I decided to compare ShopRite vs. Wegmans.

Shoprite vs. Wegmans? Wegmans has an overall higher level of quality of products. They also put more money into the aesthetics of the store and attention to the shopping experience. Shoprite, on the other hand, focuses more on conventional grocery store items, low prices, and lots of coupons.

But that’s not all of the story. 

You might want to know how these two hugely successful grocery chains differ. If you love shopping at Wegmans, but you’re curious about ShopRite, you might have a few pressing questions.

You might wonder which grocery store is cheaper, why ShopRite is so popular, and whether they have organic produce or not.

Keep reading to find out all the details!

Is Wegmans the best grocery store?

Best is a subjective term. They are great. But since they are currently limited to the East coast of the USA, I would be hard-pressed to call them the best in the world.

Wegmans is a popular supermarket chain on the East coast with 100+ stores.

It annually appears on Fortune’s list “Top 100 Best Companies to Work For”. In 2020, Wegmans has been listed as the top three best companies to work for. With 21 years in operation, it has now become a go-to supermarket for shoppers who want affordable, high-quality groceries in a comfortable environment.

They are also well known for their customer service, amazing food bars, and their wide selections of products.

Wegmans has some of the largest stores, which means more selection; particularly in gourmet, organic, and all-natural products.

The stores range between 70,000 square feet and 120,000 square feet, with about 60,000 products each. A typical grocery store is about 45,000 square feet and carries about 42,000 products.

However, Wegmans is more than just a grocery store.

Visit their Cheese Shop, and you’ll find more than 300 kinds of fancy cheeses. They even offer reservations at some locations. You can find traditional Italian cuisine at Amore by Wegmans as well as fine Italian wines. Wegmans Next Door serves specialty dishes like sushi and foie gras.

If those aren’t wow factors, Wegmans stores always have free samples, cooking demonstrations, and recipes to try.

What is ShopRite known for?

If you’ve heard of ShopRite, then you know the popular grocery cooperative is well known for its organic products. They are also known for their low prices and every day promotions.

In October 2019, ShopRite introduced its Right Price Promise program. It allows customers to buy frequently purchased items without waiting for sales. Flour, cheese, apples, and yogurt, among other things, are always in the program. You can identify them by tags throughout the store.

ShopRite has a wide selection of national brands, but they also have a more diverse selection of foods. Organic, Kosher, Asian, Polish, and Halal foods can all be found at ShopRite. If you’re on a special diet, you can find items in ShopRite that wouldn’t be available in a typical grocery store.

Under their private brand, Black Bear of the Black Forest, ShopRite has gluten-free cheeses and deli meats.

ShopRite’s Wholesome Pantry brand is well known since all its organic products also fall under this brand. Their newly added brands are gaining accolades, though. If you want prepared salads that don’t cost an arm and leg, then you should try ShopRite’s brand – Bowl & Basket.

The brand has sixteen different salads, including Asian and Italian. It also has cooking oils like avocado oil and peanut oil.

Want to learn how ShopRite compares to another top grocery chain?

Check out my recent article on Whole Foods vs. ShopRite. I compare their prices, quality, and overall experience, so this is a must-read!

Just click on the link to read it on my website. 

Is ShopRite cheaper than Wegmans?

The simple answer would be yes. But read on to find out all the details!

As with all grocery stores, they each have items that you would find cheaper at one than the other. Wegmans and ShopRite both sell national brands, which usually cost the same or very close across the board. They also have their own private brands that are cheaper than many national brands.

ShopRite’s many, many promotions will give you the impression that you are paying very little, but that isn’t necessarily the case.

That’s not to say the promotions are not valuable. At ShopRite, you can stack digital coupons with manufacturer coupons. Some can even be reused up to five-time per day.

Incorrect pricing is nothing to look forward to, but if you do happen to get overcharged for an item, you’ll get it free.

Wegmans doesn’t have as many promotions as ShopRite, but they do have the advantage of their own distribution, and what this means for you as the shopper is overall lower prices! ShopRite outsources its distribution, so they have to pay a third party. Wegmans controls its entire distribution process.

Wegmans also has a reputation for excellent waste management, and their turnover is very high. This allows them to maintain those low prices.

Does ShopRite have organic produce?

Yes, definitely.

Their organic produce items include salads and greens, carrots, spinach, tomatoes, and much more. 

Then, on top of produce, ShopRite’s Wholesome Pantry Organic brand is USDA Certified Organic. These products are free from 110 preservatives and artificial flavors.

Wholesome Pantry Organic has introduced more than 210 products since its launch, and you can find their specials in the weekly flyer.

The Wholesome Pantry brand can be found in more than 270 stores in New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

In 2017, Wholesome Pantry Organic brand received two Salute to Excellence Awards by the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA). More than 560 private label brands were assessed, and their Spring Mix Salad and Creamy Almond Butter were awarded.

Does Wegmans have better meat than ShopRite?

Yes, they do! Wegmans has a long-standing reputation for providing top-notch meat.

Wegmans source their meat from small family-owned farms in Uruguay. The majority of their meat is under their own brand. Unlike ShopRite, Wegmans is clear about their animal welfare philosophy.

If you know your meat as I do, then you know that grass-fed and free-range cattle tastes better than caged and grain-fed.

Wegmans takes pride in providing meat that is USDA Certified, free of antibiotics, and Humane Farm Animal Care Certified (NAMI).

In September 2019, ShopRite was recognized for Excellence in Beef for its Certified Angus Beef.

They were awarded for their brand leadership in sales, marketing, and meat quality. ShopRite also rolled out the Prime option so customers can get restaurant-quality meat. The Certified Angus Beef brand is world-famous for its generous marbling, and only 3% of beef achieves its quality. You can imagine that it is pricey and, therefore, only available in small amounts at large grocers.

ShopRite has good meat, but their lack of transparency about their standards is a little concerning.

If you’re a meat-lover, you know that grades, marbling, texture, and taste are extremely important. My recent article is a must-read as I unveil, which grocery store has the best meat!

Just click on the link to read it on my website. 

Final Thoughts

It’s no doubt that Wegmans is one of the best grocery stores.

It’s a haven for cheesemongers and pizza lovers. And if you’re a loyal Wegmans shopper, you also know their customer service is like no other. They have a 365 competitor advantage due to their massive sizes, quality products, and affordability.

At ShopRite, you get what you pay for, and that’s okay for some people. Don’t be discouraged against trying ShopRite! They do have great products at reasonable prices.

In this article, I talked about what ShopRite is known for discussed a few of its most popular brands. I also told you about some of the great promotions that are available to save you money at ShopRite.

You learned that ShopRite has a brand of quality organic produce that is USDA Certified and also affordable.

Though the two competitors have quality meat, you learned that one clearly provides sustainable and wholesome meat that you’ll feel good about purchasing.

Photos which require attribution:

ShopRite North Bergen, NJ 2 by Mike Kalasnik and IMG_1313 (Wegmans) by John M are licensed under CC2.0

Can Instacart Shoppers Skip Lines? (Yes! Here’s how)

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If you are new to working for Instacart as a Shopper you may not know all the tricks yet. But even customers who see people cutting in front of them have wondered can Instacart Shoppers skip lines?

Yes. Instacart shoppers can skip lines to ensure they meet delivery times. But some stores allow Shoppers to work early or late hours (when there’s no general public) and check out in separate checkouts. They are also given prepaid Master Cards for faster checkouts.

But every store is a little different and that doesn’t even answer questions about how Instacart shoppers enter places like Costco. So let’s dive right in…

Unhappy working for Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart.

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

Do Instacart shoppers have to checkout?

Yes, they do. They are advised by the company to always use manned checkouts. The company has provided each shopper with a prepaid Mastercard, which is used at the checkout, to make payments for what’s been ordered.

The Instacart app (and other apps) does not yet have the functionality that enables the shoppers to completely skip the checkout process in the stores.

The technology is being worked on. But, for now, they have to check out, just like everybody else.

But how do they enter Costco and where do they check out there? Coming up next!

Do Instacart Shoppers have to wait in line at Costco?

No is the short answer.

In a recent article of mine, I went into a bit more detail about whether Instacart shoppers can go to Costco. Just click on the link to view it on my website.

Costco and Instacart are partners.

It’s a partnership that makes a lot of sense if you think about it.  Costco is a retailer that sells products at discounted rates (and charges membership fees). Luckily, Instacart or Shoppers don’t have to have a Costco membership to buy or shop through Instacart.

And, Instacart shoppers don’t have to wait in line.

In some cases, they have a dedicated checkout to use. Other times they are given preference over the general shoppers. In short, it varies a little from location to location.

In some cases, there’s a dedicated staging area for Instacart shoppers too, and they can go in and out of Costco through another door.

Okay. But how do they pay for the groceries? I’ll answer that next.

How do Instacart shoppers pay for groceries?

Once you’re formally hired by Instacart and have gone through the onboarding process, you’ll be provided with a uniform, a bag, lanyard with your ID attached, and with a dedicated, prepaid Mastercard, which is linked to the company’s app.

This is what Instacart Shoppers use to pay for groceries.

You’ll never have to use your own card to pay! So, after you’ve selected all that’s on a customers’ grocery list, you simply walk to the manned register and pay with the prepaid Mastercard.

Instacart and some other top players in the industry are working on a technology that’ll make it unnecessary to use the traditional checkout systems we’ve all grown up with.

When it’s ready, the technology will allow a shopper to electronically intimate Instacart of the total amount of an order. Instacart pays the retailer. That means shoppers simply walk out with the goods after the payment has been confirmed.

There’s also a mobile payment solution (where users can use Apple pay or Google pay) in the works.

This will remove the need for using a physical credit or debit card. This will save a lot of time. Once a user has a phone and is using the Instacart app, they’ll be able to pay with a tap! How cool is that?

When both are operational they’ll dramatically reduce the queues, we often experience at grocery stores.

It’s then, that Instacart Shoppers would be able to truly skip lines, all the time.

But, can they use self-checkouts, now? That’s the next thing…

Can Instacart shoppers use self-checkout?

Yes, they can, but the company advises that Instacart Shoppers should use manned checkouts.

However, there are times and places, when you, as a shopper, may have to do what’s best in your particular circumstance. There are stores that’ll allow you to use self-checkout. Perhaps, there’s a very long queue, and you don’t want to be late.

So, you’ll have to use your discretion.

If the manned checkout will ultimately lead to a shorter time, that’s really the way to go. But, if there’s a really long line, and you’re sure you could work the self-checkout register fast, then go for it.

Now, let’s check out (pun intended) an overview of what being an Instacart shopper really entails.

How does being an Instacart Shopper work?

Working as an Instacart Shopper is a great way to earn an income because you get to set your own schedule. And, as you probably know already, there are two options available:

You could be an in-store shopper or a full-service shopper.

In the first category, you’ll only focus on shopping in a store. While in the second category, in addition to shopping, you’ll also need to go and deliver the items to those who have ordered them. In both cases, you’ll be using the Instacart app to check orders, make payments, receive tips…

You’ll agree that it stands to reason that you could earn a lot more if you opted for the second category (which involves shopping and also delivering).

You can also decide to make it a full-time or part-time work. So, it depends on you. It’s a nice way to earn a living if you think about it. Folks will always need groceries, right?

You could earn an average of $10 per hour, payable each week (instant cashouts available, too).

This does not include tips. Your income is determined by the work you do. It’s not a bad gig if you ask me. However, I do get complaint emails from Instacart Shoppers complaining about low tips, and Instacart combining multiple orders onto 1 ticket (so they only get paid for 1 order rather than multiple).

So it’s not everyone’s dream job.

In a recent article of mine, I spent time exploring something that’s really on your mind: when does Instacart pay me?

Does Instacart pay for mileage? How long does its direct debit take? What to do if you’re not satisfied with Instacart? And a lot more.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

If you opt for the in-store category, you don’t need to have a car

Since you won’t be making deliveries. You’ll also be an employee of Instacart rather than a contracted employee. That, theoretically means you could be eligible for benefits.

However, it’s worth noting that nowhere on the Instacart Shopper website does it say anything about benefits or eligibility. It’s also worth noting that the benefits category for Instacart on their Glass Door page rates them a 1.8 out of 5-stars. (source)

So clearly their Shoppers are not thrilled with the current benefits package.

 The following are the key requirements for both positions:

  • You’re 18-21 years old (this depends on the state you live in)
  • You must be eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada
  • You can lift 30 pounds of groceries
  • You have a passion for customer service
  • You have your own car (for the full-service shopper role)
  • You have a new model phone (Android 5.0 or later / iOS 9)

You may check for the lastest Instacart openings on this page.

Final Thoughts

In order to be able to meet the delivery time the grocery delivery platform has promised, there are many cases when its shoppers have to skip lines.

Some stores make special provisions for them, such as a dedicated register, entrance, and staging areas.

In fact, in some stores, they’re also allowed to come in earlier than the general public and also shop much later.

I looked out what’s required if you’re new to or considering becoming an Instacart shopper.

Ultimately, the job of Instacart Shopper isn’t for everyone. In fact, many people also have another job too. But if you get laid off from another job, how does Instacart income affect your unemployment?

In another recent article, I looked exactly how it will be affected and by how much $$. Just click the link to read it on my site.

Unhappy working for Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart.

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Can Instacart Deliver to a Hotel Room? (Yes, here’s how)

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Instacart is a huge time-saver when it comes to groceries. But what about when you’re staying at a hotel? While we know restaurants often deliver to hotel rooms, I wondered can Instacart deliver to a hotel room?

Yes, Instacart will deliver to a hotel room. They recently added a service allowing hotel guests to get their groceries delivered to their rooms. The customers can order through the Instacart app and inform the front desk that they are expecting a delivery. However, not every hotel chain currently allows this.

So that leaves us with many more questions.

For instance, do ALL hotels allow grocery delivery from Instacart? Or will Instacart deliver to Disney resorts while you are hanging with Mickey? And most importantly, can you receive the delivery even outside of the hotel?

No worries! I will help you find the right answers to all your queries.

Keep reading to know more.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Does Instacart bring groceries inside a hotel?

Yes, Instacart does bring groceries inside a hotel.

If you want the shopper to deliver to your room, mention the correct room number and contact details when ordering. It would be helpful if you notify the front desk that you are expecting a delivery.

If you’re not in your room at the shopper’s arrival, the staff will not send the order to your room.

The customer has the advantage of deciding whether he wants Instacart to deliver to the hotel room directly or wants the hotel staff to deliver it to him.

The front desk staff might hold your items until you arrive but will not necessarily store them. So if you order ice cream or anything that spoils quickly, you should be in your room to store it.

Do all hotels allow grocery delivery?

Some hotels do, but not all. Some hotels have partnered with Instacart, Peapod, etc., to deliver essentials to hotel guests. For instance, Disney hotels are partnered with Instacart and Graden Grocer.

However, hotels that offer dining facilities are less likely to allow grocery delivery.

Some hotels partner with grocery delivery services like Instacart for service convenience. Guests can enjoy what they would at home while spending days in a hotel. To order or change your delivery address from your home to the hotel address in the Instacart app, you’ll have to visit their website.

Also, you must add specific delivery instructions (room number, hotel security requirements, etc) to avoid any delays in receiving your order.

Just like home delivery, your shopper will need to reach you in case a substitute item is needed. Remember to give the shopper your room number! A general requirement is that you must be in your room to receive and properly store the items.

It is worth mentioning that some hotels do charge for grocery delivery to guest rooms.

This does not include the Instacart delivery charge. If you have been using Instacart for a while, you might have noticed that the costs fluctuate when you order from different stores.

Check out my recent article on why Instacart charges more than the store. I’ll let you know what stores charge higher markups and why! Just click the link to check it out.

Does Instacart deliver to Disney resorts?

Instacart is one of the top three grocery delivery services at Disney World. Guests can easily enjoy the feeling of being at home by having groceries delivered to them.

A Disney vacation isn’t cheap, especially if you have a large family. Eating every meal at the park can cost a boatload. Ordering groceries through Instacart will save lots of money and time.

But, since the policy update in 2019, you can no longer have items delivered to the room or the front desk. At least not from Instacart or other third party companies.

You must pick up your groceries from outside the resort.

Even though deliveries aren’t allowed inside the resorts, tons of people still use Instacart for their grocery deliveries. It is more time saving compared with Garden Grocer. With Instacart, you can get your order within 1-2 hours.

What is the Disney grocery delivery policy?

As of October 1, 2019, the Disney grocery delivery policy only allows grocery deliveries to your resort from Garden Grocer. It is a longtime partner of Disney, and they do not charge any fee.

Instacart and other 3rd party services can only meet you outside the resort.

Garden Grocer can deliver to the front desk. And there’s no additional charge for Bell Services to take the order to your room or store the items for you.

So to get groceries delivered from Instacart and other third-party companies, you will need to collect them from outside the resort. This change might have occurred because of the high volume of deliveries from grocery delivery services like Instacart. The hotel staff had many items to check, and the risk of spoilage or breakage of items also increased.

Before the implementation of the new policy, Bell Services would hold your items or take them to your room. They would usually charge $6 for delivery to your room. This is no longer the case. With any third party delivery service, you’ll need to arrange for your items to be delivered, pick them up and store them in your room.

Overall the new policy takes away some of the convenience of grocery delivery, but ordering through Instacart is still a great idea.

Can I receive Instacart deliveries outside of my hotel?

Yes, you can receive delivery outside of your hotel.

Although Instacart can deliver to a hotel room, some hotels do not allow this. In such a situation you’ll have to pick the order from outside the hotel. It is no different from a curbside delivery at home. Even though it might not be convenient, it will save you money.

Remember to tip your shopper even though you meet them at the curb.

Not sure how to tip your shopper? Here’s my recent article on how much you should tip a shopper. I have tried to cover all you need to know about Instacart Pickup, why you must tip, and how much the delivery costs.

Just click the link to find out more!

Final thoughts

In this article, you learned that having groceries delivered to your hotel is indeed possible and, above all, very satisfying. But you have to be available in the room to receive the order.

Furthermore, we got to know that Instacart can deliver to a hotel room directly or meet you outside the resort, depending on the resort policies.

You also learned that Disney’s grocery delivery policy restricts Instacart from delivery inside the resorts. Not all hotels get your orders to your room, but for the ones that do, you must expect a charge for their service. Besides, curbside delivery is a good option if your hotel does not allow grocery delivery.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Can Instacart Shoppers Go to Costco?

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Being an Instacart Shopper is one of the most challenging and responsible jobs. Instacart works with Costco. But of course, normally you have to have a membership to shop there. So, can Instacart Shoppers go to Costco?

Yes, Instacart Shoppers can go into Costco. They do need to wear an Instacart uniform or have the Instacart lanyard. Shoppers can also show their Instacart profile via a smartphone to identify themselves. They cannot, however, shop for themselves unless they have their own Costco membership.

I am quite aware of the online grocery delivery space, seeing as I spent twenty years as a general manager at Whole Foods.

I’ll share a few that relate to Instacart shoppers and Costco. Do Instacart shoppers have to wait in the cash register lines at Costco? And can non-members can buy from Costco through Instacart? And what if the customer you’re shopping for doesn’t have a Costco membership?

Let’s dive right in to clear all the doubts.

Unhappy working for Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart.

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

Do Instacart Shoppers have to show ID to enter Costco?

We are now aware that an Instacart Shopper can go to Costco, but how do you enter the store?

Since you’ll be going into the store as a representative of Instacart, it makes sense that you’ll need a valid means of identifying yourself. If you are wearing your Instacart uniform or have the lanyard, you don’t need to show an ID.

You could also use your Instacart profile via a smartphone to identify yourself.

Do Instacart Shoppers always need to be attired in a uniform and have a lanyard? No. Your actual ID or a scannable copy that has your picture will suffice.

Now, let’s check out if you’ll have to join the queue to shop at Costco?  

Do Instacart Shoppers have to wait in line at Costco?

As I have mentioned before, Instacart and Costco are partners.

As such, they are interested in what’s of mutual benefit. Think about it. If you owned a warehouse club, wouldn’t you love to have a partner who can help facilitate sales and delivery? In my recent article, I explained in some detail how Instacart works.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

It would be grossly inefficient if Instacart shoppers have to wait in line (just like everybody). After all, they always have deadlines to meet. You’ve probably seen the adverts that promise that groceries will be delivered in two hours.

So, Instacart shoppers don’t have to wait in line.

Some Costco locations give preference to Instacart shoppers (and, not to the detriment of the other general shoppers).

In some cases, they’re allowed to come in hours earlier before the Costco opens its doors to the general public, and a few hours after it’s closed to the public.

In some cases, there’s a dedicated staging area for Instacart shoppers, and they can go in and out of Costco through another door.

Can an Instacart Shopper buy items for themselves at Costco?

No is the short answer.

Not unless you have your own Costco membership already. If you’re thinking you could just buy a few things while you’re there doing a shop for a customer, think again.

When Instacart Shoppers check out, they pull up a scannable membership card for the customer being shopped for. The order gets charged to that account. Or it gets charged to Instacart’s Costco account if the customer doesn’t have a Costco membership.

But either way, a Costco account is necessary to make a purchase. Shoppers who try and make a personal purchase would most likely be fired!

Does Instacart mark up prices at Costco?

Yes, it does.

The markup varies between 10% to as high as 23%. In a recent article of mine, I explained in-depth why Instacart charges more. The markups are not applied in all stores.  In the article, I shared other vital info you’ll need to know about how Instacart works.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Are the markups too high? It depends on the individual. In most cases, they’re not. To put things in perspective, you’ll need to estimate how much you think your time’s worth if you were to go to the grocery store (if you’re not an Instacart shopper, just a regular person), go from aisle to aisle, and go back home.

What’s the estimated dollar cost of the time spent?

It also helps to remind oneself that these online grocery delivery services are businesses that employ thousands of people, some full-time, others, part-time. So, the markups are their primary source of revenue.

Another vital thing that’s related to markups is tipping. 

Should you tip Instacart drivers and shoppers? Tipping is a normal part of how business is done. It’s a sign of appreciation, and it’s also a way to encourage others who provide vital services and goods for us.

In another recent article of mine, I shared some info on this issue. How much should you tip? What’s recommended by Instacart? Should you tip in cash? You’ll find the answers to this and others in the article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Can a customer who isn’t a Costco member buy from Costco through Instacart?

Yes is the short answer.

You don’t need to be a Costco member to be able to buy online via Instacart. But, being a Costco member will, of course, make the cost lower.

So, if you’re not a member, you’ll have to be ready to pay a 5% surcharge to do the shopping.

It’s also important to know that some of Costco’s prices are steep. Some can be 20% higher than what’s ordinarily charged in the stores. So, if you’re wondering if it’s worthwhile, I’ll suggest you make a comparison.

Compare what it’ll cost you to buy straight from the store yourself, to buying through Instacart, alone, to what it’ll cost to buy from Costco through Instacart.

That’s three costs to compare.

If you’re incredibly price-sensitive, it’s smart to make the comparison. Of course, you’ll have to make an estimate of the cost of driving to a grocery store to do your shopping and of the time involved.

If you’re a very busy person who loves convenience, it makes a lot of sense to use Costco through Instacart. It’s smart to outsource grocery shopping while you focus on the more important stuff. However, you’ll have to be an Instacart user to be able to take advantage of this option.

Before I wrap up, let me share a recent article of mine, where I wrote about Dash Door and Walmart’s alliance. It’s an informative complement to what we’re explored in this article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Final Thoughts

Online grocery delivery has taken the world by storm. And, it’ll continue to get stronger as AI (artificial intelligence) becomes more powerful.

In the preceding paragraphs, we’ve learned that Instacart shoppers can indeed do their shopping at Costco, they do need IDs and might have to wait in lines but not always.

We also learned that Instacart marks up purchases made at Costco. This is understandable; after all, it’s a business. The markups vary from about 10% to 23%. They don’t charge extra on products bought from stores they’re partners with.

Unhappy working for Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart.

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

Photos which require attribution:

Costco by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC2.0

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Does Instacart Deliver Cigarettes? (No, but one service does!)

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Online grocery delivery has taken the world by storm. Even in the remotest of locations, a lot of things can be ordered from the comfort of one’s home. But what about things like cigarettes? Does Instacart deliver cigarettes?

No. Instacart does not deliver cigarettes. In fact, they don’t currently deliver any tobacco products. However, since they have started delivering other restricted and regulated products such as alcohol, that could change in the future.

But, sit a spell with me, and I’ll tell you why, and I’ll also tell you about other options for buying cigarettes online. What about platforms like Doordash and Ubereats? Do you know if it is even legal to deliver cigarettes? We are going to find that out in this article.

Ever wondered why different cigarette packages come in different colors?

Click here to read my complete guide to cigarette package colors and what they mean. I even get into how to compare the colors of 1 brand to another, and the 1 exception when it comes to color packaging and different brands.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Will Instacart deliver cigarettes?

The short answer is no.

I spent 20 years working as a general manager at Whole Foods. So I know a thing or two about the grocery business, although it’s true that for the most part, Whole Foods Market never sold cigarettes.

Instacart is an app that allows you to order from pharmacies, specialty stores, and grocery stores. It has shoppers who pick the items and deliver the same to you. You can even order ahead or have them delivered to you hours after you’ve placed your order.

For now, cigarettes are not delivered via the Instacart platform. This is not meant to punish cigarette smokers in any way. There are a few other items, such as alcohol, that they didn’t use to deliver either. But now they do deliver alcohol in 14 states, so tobacco products could be next!

Which states do they deliver alcohol for?

I’m glad you asked. Actually I break down all 14 states, including limitations, restrictions, and if liquor is included, in this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Okay. No cigs. What else won’t Instacart deliver?

Instacart’s website shows they don’t deliver the following items:

  • Live animals, including feeder animals for pets
  • Appliances
  • Electronics and electronic peripherals
  • Furniture
  • Non-alcoholic age-restricted products like tobacco and over-the-counter items containing nicotine
  • Items containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine
  • Holiday trees
  • Currency
  • Photos
  • Lottery Tickets
  • Gift cards

So, which delivery platform can you order cigarettes from? We’ve got you covered below.

Can you order cigarettes on DoorDash or Ubereats?

Yes, you can order cigarettes from DoorDash, but on one condition.

Before the “shopper” hands it over to you, you’ll be required to provide ID that proves that you’re at least 21 years old. And, they’ll take their time to check that it’s indeed your ID and that it is not expired.

But, note that DoorDash does not allow its representatives to deliver cigarettes to the following locations:

  • Other businesses that sell tobacco
  • Locker or similar package storage facility
  • P.O. Boxes
  • Prison, reformatory, veteran’s home or state capitol grounds
  • College campus (e.g. frat house)
  • Sport venues
  • Hospitals and health care facilities
  • Public or private school

I’ve also had people tell me that not every state allows this. So double-check with DoorDash.

As of the time of writing this article, Ubereats does not deliver cigarettes. But they deliver alcohol, subject to certain checks.

If you’re not familiar with DoorDash, you can read a recent article of mine. Just click the link to read it.

As at the time I wrote the article DoorDash delivered in 46 states. I also shared other info, such as how it works with Walmart, the states it’s not operating in, how to get your groceries via their platform, whether you should tip their drivers or not…

Why doesn’t Instacart deliver tobacco products?

As per the law, there are pre-conditions that must be met before a person can order and have cigarettes delivered to them. For Instacart to deliver cigarettes, it’ll have to put in place a mechanism to ensure that these conditions are being met or it may have to face the wrath of the law.

It may be in the process of ensuring that these mechanisms are in place, or it may have decided that it’s not worthwhile to deliver tobacco products.

Apart from a few items, Instacart would deliver most things you need.

It’s a highly reliable platform. Should you tip its shoppers when they provide products to you? This is an issue some people find a tad confusing. This is why in a recent article of mine, I took the time to answer the questions and also shared some vital info you’ll like to know about Instacart. Just click the link to read it on my site.

Does this mean that the delivery of tobacco products is illegal? Let’s check that out in the next section…

Is it legal to deliver cigarettes?

Yes, it is. But some conditions must be met. Vendors are not contravening the laws when they deliver cigarettes, as long as they’re complying with the provisions of the law. For example, cigarettes must not be distributed or sold to minors (under 21 in this case), and the relevant taxes must be paid.

That’s to say, only folks who are 21 and above can buy and have cigarettes delivered to them.

And, before the cigarettes are delivered, the law requires that it’s actually being delivered to someone who’s 21 or above. That implies that the person delivering is required to check and confirm that this is the case.

Cigarettes and some other products are regulated.

So, it’s assumed that those selling and delivering have also complied with the relevant regulations, such as ensuring that the requisite taxes are being paid. As long as they ensure this is being done, it’s legal to deliver cigarettes. There are federal and state laws in this regard. So, it’s helpful also to check the state laws where you reside just to be doubly sure.

Does this mean that you can go ahead and order cigarettes online? And if so, is it cheaper that way compared to the store?

Click here to read my complete breakdown of ordering cigarettes online. I get into how to do it, if it’s cheaper, and which websites to go to.

Can we order cigarettes online?

Yes, you can. There are still many stores that sell cigarettes online. So many of them. All you need to do is simply Google it so that you can be sure that the stores can deliver to you.

The law does not prohibit the sale of cigarettes.

It merely restricts defines the age-group it can be sold to. It helps to see what precisely the Food and Drug Administration wrote. On its website, you’ll find:

“It is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product — including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes — to anyone under 21. FDA will provide additional details on this issue as they become available.”

You can see that the main requirement relates to the buyer’s age. As long as the buyer is 21 and above, they can order cigarettes online.

Final Thoughts

In the preceding paragraphs, I shared what the laws say about the sale, ordering, and delivery of cigarettes online. The law is not against the sale of cigarettes per se.

It only seeks to prevent its sale to minors (now defined as anyone below 21) and to prevent tax evasion on the product. The bottom line is that it is not prohibited to sell cigarettes online but an order is supposed to be followed.

There’s something you ought to know about Instacart, which I covered in detail in a recent article of mine. Just click the link to read it.

So, just to remind you: You can order cigarettes from DashDoor and many other stores, but Instacart and Ubereats do not deliver cigarettes.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Can’t wait for a delivery and think you’ll grab some smokes at TJ’s? Does Trader Joes even sell tobacco products in its stores?

The answer I give in a recent article might surprise you. That’s especially considering that the brothers who started Trader Joe’s and Aldi had a huge falling out over selling cigarettes.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Whole Foods vs. Fairway: Which Is Better?

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Fairway Market is known to attract shoppers seeking fresh baked goods, cheeses, and specialty foods. Since the opening of its first store in 1933, it now has a treasured presence in the area of New York. But do you know which is better when it comes to Whole Foods vs. Fairway Market?

Read further to find out what my research uncovered!

Whole Foods vs. Fairway Market? Fairway Market is almost exclusively in the NYC area. While Fairway Market is better in terms of pricing, sales & coupons, Whole Foods Market is more trusted for quality, selection, and standards. In addition, Fairway, which filed for bankruptcy again in 2020, only has a few stores left.

Whole Foods Market is famously known as the world’s largest natural and organic supermarket chain. So if you’ve been shopping at Whole Foods for a while, you might be wondering if the brand nicknamed a “Whole Paycheck” is worth it, or should you consider shopping at Fairway? 

In addition, what is making Fairway lose its business lately, and are they going out of business? Keep reading for the details.

Is Whole Foods cheaper now that Amazon bought it?

Whole Foods is still among the most expensive grocery stores. But the short answer is yes. Whole Foods Market prices are cheaper since Amazon bought them.

In 2017, Amazon acquired the company and has made price cuts three times. In fact, they cut prices at Whole Foods an average of 20% in 2019.

But the price cuts aren’t across the board.

Amazon Prime members get up to 40% off all products from select brands. These include 35% off all Justin’s brand products, 40% off all Kite Hill’s plant-based products. Members even get 20% off ready-made sandwiches and wraps. Amazon has gone further to include weekly exclusive deals store wide.

But they can still be pricier than other grocers, even on the exact same products. Want to know why Whole Foods is more expensive than other grocers?

Check out my recent article where I give out all the details! I’ll compare prices, quality and give you a behind the scenes scoop based on my 2+ decades working with Whole Foods!

Just click on the link to read it on my website. 

Is the Fairway Market expensive?

Compared to Whole Foods, Fairway Market is not that expensive. But at the same time, though not known for crazy high prices, Fairway Market does have some items that are just as expensive as Whole Foods.

Fairway has a large variety of specialty items, including meat and organic produce, much like Whole Foods. Customers swear by their bagels, hand-sliced fish, and a wide range of cheeses.

Produce and meat are not very far off at both Whole Foods and Fairway because they both offer a variety of wild-caught fish and grass-fed beef.

Are you a meat lover? Here’s my recent article on which grocery store has the best steaks! I talk about grades, cuts, quality, and so much more. Your next steak purchase will be the best one yet!

Just click that link to read it on my site.

With its many weekly promotions and coupons, you can easily save when shopping at Fairway Market. On any given day, Fairway has up to 50 active coupons. A few of these such as the $10 coupon can be used up to 5 times a day. Others are $15 and $20 off coupons.

If you use the Instacart grocery delivery service, there is a $10 off coupon for your first order.

Fairway’s free shipping promotions offer an even bigger way to save. If you’re a coffee-lover, order four bags of coffee or loose tea, and just like that, you get free shipping. Some free delivery promotions are only available online.

Is Fairway going out of business?   

The short but no less painful answer is Yes! Fairway Market has been struggling with its private equity debts for years now, and they have finally been caught up.

Fairway first filed for bankruptcy in 2016. Their expansion plan failed to generate enough sales to offset their debts, and competitors like Whole Foods and Sprouts made it that much harder to stay afloat. They eventually emerged from bankruptcy with new owners, but the downward spiral continued.

Now less than four years later, Fairway Market has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Three successful bidders have purchased six of its fifteen stores in their March auction. The remaining stores will be sold through a supervised sale by the bankruptcy court.

Both Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Markets have caused Fairway’s sales to plummet since they came into Fairway’s territory.

But Whole Foods and Sprouts are even closer competitors with each other. Check out my recent article to get a scoop on which of the two supermarket chains is better. Just click the link to check it out!

How many stores does Fairway have compared to Whole Foods?

The first Fairway store that opened in 1933, still operates at West 74th Street, Manhattan.

It was little more than a produce stand back then, but by 1997, they expanded to include a café. Since then, Fairway Market has opened 13 other locations, 6 of which have now been sold.

At its peak, Fairway Market has been set up in 15 locations while Whole Foods has 500+ stores.

Its Harlem location is especially worth mentioning. It has a 10,000 square foot space called the “Cold Room.” Customers can browse the enormous freezer that is filled with the store’s meats, seafood, dairy, and beer.

As you probably already know, Whole Foods Market is the largest American supermarket chain offering natural and organic products. 

Their 500 locations are spread throughout North America. Whole foods also acquired seven Fresh and Wild stores in the UK, adding to the existing 500. As shown on the Whole Foods Market History site, a lot of their growth came from buying other smaller chains.

Ironically back when I started with Whole Foods Market in 1988 (I left the company in 2013), there were only 5 stores. So the humble beginnings of the now giant empire seem quaint in retrospect.

Did Amazon buy Fairway Market?

The short answer is partially yes, but not really.

The biggest winner during the March bankruptcy auction was the owner of Village Super Markets. That company purchased 5 of Fairway’s stores.

Amazon did purchase two Fairway leases, but not actual Fairway stores. Amazon plans to open new stores at the locations of the 2 leases they purchased. As far as anyone currently knows, those 2 stores will be something new, and NOT Whole Foods Market stores.

Also included in the bid was Fairway’s production and distribution outlet. Village Super Market went as far as buying the parking lot of the fifth store but not the store itself. All this was purchased for approximately $76 million.

You might now be wondering how ShopRite, another hugely successful supermarket chain. compares to Whole Foods Market.

Here’s my recent article where I dissect which of the two comes out on top based on quality, pricing, service, and the overall customer experience.

This is a must-read, so click that link to view it on my site!

I hope I have covered everything you needed to know about Whole Foods vs. Fairway?

At almost a century year old, Fairway has been a neighborhood anchor for New York and surrounding counties. While it may not have been able to stay ahead of its large competitors, it’s no surprise that it is going out of business. Whole Foods has a reputation for quality that just never disappoints.

Their stability is unquestionable at this point.  

In this article, we compared Whole Foods and Fairway Market. You learned that since Amazon acquired Whole Foods, there have been significant price cuts.

But I also talked about how you can make your shopping experience at Fairway cheaper with coupons and promotions. Lastly, I spoke about how Fairway is going bankrupt and the results of their auction in March. 

Photos which require attribution:

Whole Foods Market at Woodbury City Place by Tony Webster and IMG_1663 by Austen Squarepants are licensed under CC2.0