I live in a very large city & there are 3 of the very same grocery stores within a 5-mile radius of where I live. Will it do any good to check deals at each of those grocery stores or will one most likely have the same deals as the one around the corner? -Andrea
Great question, Andrea! I’d strongly suggest checking out all the stores that are within a 5-mile radius of your home, even if they are the same chain. Why? Well, here are three reasons:
1. Different stores have different markdown policies.
I’ve been amazed at the difference of markdown policies at our local Dillon’s stores. One store routinely marks things down at least $0.50 more than the other store. For instance, one store will mark down bagged salads to $1.69 while the other store will mark down the exact same salads to $0.99. By shopping at the store with lower markdowns, I can often save at least a few extra dollars each shopping trip.
2. Some stores are more coupon-friendly than others.
Stores in the same chain can vary widely in their friendliness toward coupons. Usually, if the manager is coupon-friendly, this will trickle down to all the staff. It will save you time and effort to shop at the store that is most accepting toward couponers.
3. Some stores have better stock than others.
If a store doesn’t keep their sale items in stock, it’s rather pointless to shop there regularly. Finding out which store in your area is the best at keeping their shelves stocked–especially when there’s a great deal or loss leader–can save you time and hassle.
Take Time to Investigate–and Then Shop With Confidence!
When you first move to an area (or are first starting to practice strategic shopping), take a few weeks or months to shop at different stores within a close radius of your home to check them out. After a few regular visits to different stores, you’ll probably have a good idea which one(s) are the best to routinely shop at. Once your investigative period is over with, you can streamline your life by doing all of your shopping at the store(s) you found to be the best.
Do you think it’s beneficial to check out all the stores in your area, even if they are the same chain? If so, why? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Just like in the post we have a local chain (Kroger) and multiple stores within a 5 mile radius. I frequent 3 of the local stores for VERY different reasons. Store #1 is VERY close to our home it’s perfect for quick small trips with few coupons but they only allow 2 like coupons per day I find most of the produce markdowns at this store. Store #2 allows more coupons per transaction (three per transaction) and has very very few markdowns but a better stock and selection – I do any large coupon trips at this store. Store #3 has smaller stock but excellent markdowns and I know if I go Monday mornings I can stock up in the dented markdown can section for pennies, they also have the best markdowns on their vegetarian meat replacements and breads but few in the produce department. We have a store #4 that is also close by I only go there when it’s very convenient as I rarely find any markdowns (it’s in a higher income area) but the cashiers get really excited when I get things for free or cheap since they don’t see it often and that’s nice.
We do on occasion. Our local store is Fry’s (Kroger). The store near us is a “Value Fry’s”, which means it is specifically targeted at lower income customers. Note that this is not in the store’s name, but this is what an employee told me when I asked why I couldn’t find something I wanted. The produce is cheaper but lower quality, they stock more store brands and sometimes are lacking name brand things we want (ex. Barilla whole wheat pasta) and they carry a more limited selection in general. They also carry more unhealthy processed food. However, they frequently have meat marked down. This is where we usually go when we would go to a Fry’s (we just shop the edges of the store). I’ve asked for them to carry other things, but they haven’t.
The store a few miles away is a regular Fry’s. They have a wider selection, the store is cleaner, and the produce is better quality, but more expensive. We go here if we happen to be nearby or if we want something we know the closer store doesn’t stock. They have a better selection of healthier food.
I live within two miles of two Albertson’s stores. One routinely marks down 85 % lean ground beef to 99 cents a pound, when it approaches the sell by date. The other store marks it down to $1.99, so the same chain can be very different in their policies.
We definitely shop different stores, but usually only one store per week. As a dual income family with kids, there’s just not time to run all over town, especially with gas prices at almost $4/gallon!
If it’s a milk and bread run, we stick to the Aldi around the corner.
If there’s a bunch of stuff that we have <$1 coupons for, then we'll go to the store that doubles up to $1 coupons every day (Wegman's).
If Target has good deals+coupons that week, we'll go there, especially if we're also looking for some non-grocery items that week (we've got a good Target close-by, but it has a limited grocery section).
2-3 times a year we'll go to the SuperWalmart (a little farther than 5 miles, but has a good selection and is coupon-friendly). Usually if we're in the area and/or need to buy non-grocery items there and choose to combine trips. For instance, I always buy 1-2 cartons of my favorite flavor soymilk when we're there, since it's hard to find and they carry it.
We still go to Sam's Club occasionally for things like toilet paper (we're picky and our favorite brand doesn't have very good coupon+sale matchups often), but we've been going a lot less since we started couponing. Impulse buys are much more costly when they're in bulk!
Truthfully I think its worth it to shop around. I am a college student and with my stockpile provide for my family of 10 and a couple of college friends and a few relatives. Its not easy trying to find bargains without losing your mind. With that said, you should look at the circulars of the stores you frequent and see whether or not the trip would be worth it. Unless I have at least 3 really good bargains on my list I probably will not be going to the store. For me I need to consider the time spent, the gas spent and how much the products are worth to me. I also do catalina deals, so its important to keep track of when those will be expiring when planning you are planning to go or to skip the store. But even with the mass amount of people I am supplying, I still have a stockpile so I am able to skip a week to relax.
As for how I get so many coupons to do deals with, I’ve never purchased a sunday paper in my life. $2.00 is way too costly and I find it that most of the coupons I would use will appear online. If not I may go to ebay and pay for a set of 10 or 20 for a buck or two. I collect spare laptops which the people I supply no longer use. I buy paper for free at staples and I use super cheap generic ink.
Dont forget to bring those reusable totes when you go shopping! Those 5-10cents refunds really do add up to great savings!
There are two Aldi’s here in town and one of them has better prices than the other because it has less traffic according to the manager. So, you should check out the various stores in your area, but I agree it is too much to do on a regular basis.
I shop around up to 5 stores on my monthly “big” shopping trip. If there are really, really good sales, I might shop again at different stores. Usually once a month at several stores and the other weeks once a week at Aldi’s mainly. I limit my shopping most of the time to one day a week and that is essential for me so I don’t waste time or gas. But I am extremely fortunate to have Target, Walmart, CVS, Aldi’s, local grocery stores, Walgreens all within a few blocks of each other. No gas wasted. The other store I shop at is on my way to work and opens early so I can go in and get sale items; that store double up to $1 so well worth the trip sometimes.
I do this cause I save a tremendous amount of money but to be honest I would prefer not to shop this way. Takes lots of time and lots of planning but I know I will not be doing this forever probably only a few more years as the kids get older and leave home.
I agree with those who say to check out the different stores, and then make your decision on which one you will continue to shop at. Like someone above said, I have locations of the same store (Rainbow, in Minnesota) near where I work and where I live. I have stopped shopping at the one near where I live — even though they are the only store that doubles coupons around here — because their service is so bad; they never have enough staff (I tried shopping at different times, and it never made a difference) and I have literally waited over half an hour in the checkout line before, as my frozen foods melted. Then they “kindly” sack your groceries by throwing a sack of potatoes on top of your bread. No, thanks. I will occasionally stop by the one near work if they have a super deal: they actually have enough cashiers (and they also have a much better layout and selection).
I wouldn’t do it if they were all from the same chain, but I definitely go to various stores in the vicinity. Eventually you know which of them has the best prices (and quality) on various things that you typically buy. My circuit in the States when we lived there was Costco for the bulk items, Winco (a discount store) for bulk and everything canned/shelf-stable, Market of Choice (a yuppier store) for fabulous produce, and a local butcher with decent prices for any meat we didn’t get at Costco. But I didn’t do this every weekend! Costco was a 1x/month thing, weekends were usually just the 2 grocery stores and then the butcher would be a “from time to time” destination.
I say you gotta take the time to find your ‘favorite’ store. Even if it is the same chain. I used to work at one HyVee and had another larger Hy
Vee about 1 mile away. The other store was larger, had a bigger selection, had the same advertised prices but was significantly higher priced on unadvertised prices.
Same chain, same town, different prices!
Take the time to check out REGULAR prices on items YOU frequently buy. Then decided which is your favorite store.
I have two stores (King Soopers and Safeway) that are equal distance from my house, so I shop at those. Because I live in a rural community, I only visit Target or Wal-Mart on an as-needed basis (and when I have a lot of good deals that makes the trip worth it). I’ve begun shopping once a month with only one other stop for milk. I buy my bread at the Wonder Bread outlet for $0.99 each or six for $5.30. By refrigerating my bread, it lasts the whole month. I create a menu based on sales and use coupons, so I am able to stick to my $200/month budget for groceries for a family of four. Every so often I’ll go over my budget a bit, but that’s when I stock up on meat or other staples.
Great post! As a general rule, I have two main stores that I shop at. On Sunday afternoons, I go over their weekly sale ads. I make note of the great deals for that week. I then match my coupons to their sales. I stock up on pantry items with coupon savings to last at least until that item will go on sale again. As you build your stockpile, you will be able to shop less, only buying what the good sale items are for that week. I try to always stick to my lists which saves time in the store. I am a working mom and don’t have time to shop multiple stores on a regular basis, but I do try to pop in and get the hot sale/coupon combos.
I have a Kroger about a mile from where I live. To get to another Kroger, or really any other grocery store, I’d have to drive about 5 mi. So I do most of my shopping at the nearby Kroger. I’ve also found it to be pretty coupon friendly, so I don’t see much need to try out other Krogers. However, it would be really nice to have a few more choices in my part of town, especially an Aldi.
With one baby at 14 months old and being 21 weeks pregnant, I try to find a balance.
I shop at our local health food store as they have items that I can’t find in the grocery stores around here (or they have the better price by a long shot), Super One Foods which is a tri-state “local”ish store (amazing prices for the most part) and the third store depends on who has the best sales: Target, Albertson’s or Rouse’s.
I really would love to start couponing to save on our toiletries – hopefully I can master that art before our baby boy arrives in July!
I agree with the others who suggest you check them all out, then pick one to be your “main” store. I have two of the same grocery chain about the same distance from my house (one is east, one is west). They fall under two different ads (ad prices can differ on the same items), and pricing is different at the stores. Sometimes up to a $1 price difference on items! I generally shop the store with the lower pricing, but will stop by the other store if I’m out that direction to pick up a special that might be a better price in that store. I don’t shop BOTH stores each week. For me, it’s wasteful of my time, and a struggle to keep to budget that way!
I have visited them all but continue to shop at my favorites. For example, we have multiple price chopper stores, however I shop at the cosentinos one because they have items on sale in addition to the ad sales. I shop a certain HyVee because they have their ads (with store coupons) all over the store, where it’s hard to find an ad at all in the other HyVee. I also hate stores too lazy to mark items as on sale. There is one cvs near me that I won’t go to just for that reason. Just because they have the same name, does not make them the same store.
I live in the same city as Crystal, and I find different markdowns depending on the location–even though it’s still Dillons. On one side of town (we’re on that side every week bc my in laws live on that side)–a toy was marked down to 7.99. On my side of town, the same toy was 2.99. I have found meat markdowns based on location as well. I was able to get 3 lbs. of ground beef for 2.99 on the other side of town. In January, I got 3 (3-lb) packages of ground turkey for 1.99 each. I have a home daycare, so I like when I can get deals on toys and meat.
Yes! For me it’s not so much for the difference in markdowns as it is for sale items in stock (one store is much smaller than the other so just can’t hold as much) and the more coupon friendly cashiers. The other main reason for me is that one of them has a self-check that actually lets you scan your own coupons. I love using that for the small multiple transactions I do every once in a while.
check them all out once or twice and then it depends largely on preference. I haul 3 little kids with me so i dont generally find it worth it. Also one store closest to me generally has the best prices and meat markdowns but dont have a great coupon policy plus their staff isnt very good (and thats being nice it has been more than once i have stood over an hour in line because the cashier and manager couldnt figure out wic or a coupon). the store a little father away has all over more competitive pricing on everything (their prices many times are less than walmart). they have a great coupon policy and their staff is amazing….now if they were close to each other i might stop at the first to pick up meat but they are in polar opposite directions of my house so to me its not worth time, gas, hassle or aggrevation. but if you are in a super tight financial bind it might save you a couple bucks 🙂
I have two Krogers almost the same distance from me. While I do most of my shopping at Meijer, the Krogers are much closer and I stop in at least once a week. I’ve shopped both and they don’t seem much different in stock, couponing, etc. But they’re completely different in layout. I’ve “picked” one that I primarily go to simply because I can find what I want. At the other store I end up going back and forth trying to find things. Very frustrating to me.
It really depends on your situation and how much money you would save. For me it’s not worth it. I have so little free time that I don’t want to spend it running from store to store, especially when I really don’t enjoy shopping. If you enjoy shopping, have lots of free time and save quite a bit of money then it’s worth it. It may take a time or two of doing it to determine if you are really saving money or not. Keep in mind that it’s not only time you are investing but gas and wear/tear on your car.
I shop at five stores on a regular basis but it requires more planning (and I’m not always great at that).
The one store I visit weekly is our local natural foods co-op 2 blocks from my house. There I buy milk, eggs, most of our vegetables, meat, and some grains and beans. If I have a fully stocked pantry I can get by with shopping only at this store for several weeks at a time.
Right now I’m trying a system where I do a huge trip to the cheapest big box store. It’s a 20 minute drive which I consider too far for weekly shopping. Anything I need in between those trips I pick up at Target or the more expensive big box store near my house. Once a month or so I make a trip to Trader Joe’s – 20 minutes in the other direction from the cheap big box store – but these days I’m buying fewer things there so I probably won’t be going so often any more.
Whole Foods is the cheapest place to get natural peanut butter right now so I’ve been popping in there every few months. But only if I’m running another errand on that side of town which doesn’t happen very often.
Yes, it’s a lot to keep track of. I completely understand why some people have given up using multiple stores.
Is it a lot to keep track of! We go to one store regularly (the closest to our house), plus a second store with better produce. Once a month, I stock up on certain things at Trader Joe’s. I also have to arrange pick-up from the farms where I buy beef and in the summer, I go to the farmer’s market almost every week. It gets complicated, but I think it’s worth it.
I live in a large city, Charlotte, NC. So Aldi, Super Target, Walmart, Harris Teeter, Trader Joes, Earth Fare, and Costco are right at a short drive away. There are also a plethora of other stores I don’t go to. Costco is my only “drive” at 7 minutes. So I definitely shop around. My dd who is now in preschool, goes to school on MWF so when the hubby gets paid on Friday, I spend a lot of time out. But I believe I save money because I can get everything done in one day per week (minimum). I just compare prices and go to the stores accordingly. Aldi is my only weekly store and I do a Costco run once a month. The others rotate on coupon specials and deals per my menu plan. So if you live in a larger area it’s totally worth it!
Well said! Pairing your menu plan and the coupon specials and deals is a great idea! I usually do just a menu plan or just bargain/coupon (limited experience) shopping, but I really like the idea of taking the time to combine both. 🙂
When I am in different parts of town I tend to stop into the stores in that area just to see what deals I might find. Some times I find great ones other times not so much. Since I was already in the area though I didn’t spend extra gas money to get there. I shop several different stores each week to get the sale items and then hit Aldi for the stuff I need but is not on sale. This week it was mostly fruit and veggies at Aldi as well as they have the best price on the bread we like the best. I can sometimes find bread at one of our Dollar Trees but I like the wide loaf kind the best and I think costs us about the same because my husband eats multiple sandwiches if I but the smaller loaf but is happy with one when I buy the wide loaf.
I do!!! For all of the reasons listed and some. The stores in our area have limits on double coupons. Instead of doing multiple transactions and getting the evil eye, its easier to just go to the other store.
I would definitely shop around! I live in an area that has 4 HyVee’s. One I don’t bother going to, they are usually out of stock of the sale items and are NOT coupon friendly at all! My favorite one is very coupon friendly at the register and has great instore deals and markdowns (price decline). The one closest to me is okay depending on which manager is working as to how friendly they are because they have their registers set to only accept $10 worth of coupons w/out an over ride. The one I sometimes visit has tons of tear pads, but sets very strict limits on like coupons in a transaction. Usually only 2 of the same coupon. Their website has a coupon policy on it but says that it is also up to each Store Managers discretion as to what they want to accept. So it does pay to know which ones are friendly and which are not worth your time!
Check them each out once or twice, pick your favorite, and just shop at one. Unless you are blessed with extra time and energy, I don’t think it’s worth it to go to more than one of THE SAME chain. Now, going to a different store from a different chain probably is worth it.
You can also ask around to your friends to see which store of the chain they prefer and why.
this is the way I shop all the time.. since I rarely use coupons..
jenetta
I think is probably worth it- after you have checked the ads and done some matching up with coupons and sales. Like the earlier comment from Patrice, I too live in a rural area, so gas is a factor. But on my once a month shopping trip, I do head to the “bigger city” (lol)- and I tend to hit all the stores for the best bargains. However, I go in with my notebooks spelling out what exactly I’m buying at Kroger and Food Giant based on their sales and coupons. The rest of the stuff I hit Walmart for because, as a general rule, they are the cheapest (we don’t have a super Target so that limits me alot lol). To be within that short of a distance, it’s worth a try at least to see what You can save!
I have 2 stores from the same chain nearby. I shop primarily at one because they are much more coupon friendly and stock well for the best deals each week. However on my heavily couponed area it seems everyone shops at this location as well. Sometimes instead of a rain check I will simply try the other location first and then if they are also out of the item I’ll get the rain check there.
I choose to go further to my favorite grocery store! It’s worth the extra drive for me. The sales are better and they are more coupon friendly!
I think it’s worth it. My local store is Price Chopper. There is one near my job and one near my home. I have found that the one near my job is always out of stock of sale items, won’t accept competitor coupons (even though it’s in their coupon policy) and they tend to charge more due to lack of competition. The one near my house has stiffer competition (Walmart, Hannaford and Target).
It’s a good idea to become familiar with each of the stores near you. I shop at Publix and there are several stores in very close proximity to where I live.
I shop primarily at the closest store. However, another store about 2 miles away carries the protein drink we like, carries the peanut butter in the size we prefer, carries our favorite brand of salsa, and usually has a better selection of sale items.
You would think the stores would carry the same inventory but this is certainly not the case here.
If you ask Publix to carry a certain item for you, they will order it. You could ask the closer Publix to stock those things. Ours has a special shelf of things like that costumers have asked for–might save you some time and gas!
For me personally, it’s not worth it. I have discovered that the more time I spend in a store (ANY store) the more money i will spend. I also have this wierd problem where when I enter a store I somehow feel obligated to purchase something. So… for me, the fewer stores I spend time in, the less money I spend (EVEN if that means I missed out on that great 20cent markdown on mac & cheese or the free toothbrush). Of course, we also live in a fairly rural area, so the gas alone to get from one store to the other would completely wipe out any savings I might hope to have scored.