I was just having a conversation with some of the Grocery Outlet employees, and they shop online the same way we do lol. Very curious how much overlap there is; it’s the “deals” version of a grocery store
We have one here in my town in SoCal (I have ALOT of grocery stores within a 3-4 mile radius), and I’ve been there a handful of times. Honestly, the prices were never really low enough to me to justify trying some of the jankie brands, and the effort put into the store (by both managers and employees) always seem lackluster.
Than a couple years ago, they upscaled the store… better lighting, better produce displays, some better selections. It honestly was a better shopping experience. But they also jacked up the prices to basically the same level as all the other chain local grocery stores. So there’s no real value proposition there anymore.
Besides, Aldi‘s still has the overwhelming lead when it comes to food prices.
(on a sidenote, Vons is absolutely gouging the hell out of everyone since the pandemic.)
@haydesigner
One interesting thing about chain stores is that the prices that are not in the ad are not necessarily the same as in the same store across town (source, someone who actually did the comparison shop herself of a set of items across multiple stores)
One thing I have found is which store is cheaper depends upon what you buy. I have started a somewhat of a rotation. I have stocked up items but I shop more leisurely, usually 2-3 times a week. (the 3rd is the farmer’s market). I have basically 3 choices I use. I go to Vons/Albertsons (we have both a short distance apart) for certain items that are priced better there or that they carry that others don’t. I go there about once every 2 weeks unless it is dollar days, then I go for a couple things that are almost always on those lists I alternate with Stater Brothers (Local regional chain) mostly for meat. This is because I can buy 1 of something. Less wastage. They will also butterfly or spatchock chickends for me. They have certified meat cutters. they also carry items Albertsons does not. And some items are cheaper
My second time each week is often Sprouts. more expensive but if smaller and quicker in and out if all I want is for example fruits and veggies.
I refuse to shop at Walmart. And have been boycotting Target since they screwed the pooch. Aldi is not far away but just doesn’t meet my needs overall. I have gone in for this and that but I end up going somewhere else to get other things and that’s a waste.
I remember when my father would go shopping as a child. When he went he mapped everything out and went store to store to store to get the best prices. All on the same day. That’s just not me
I guess especially since I retired I am willing to pay for the privilege of my convenience
Yes, I’ve known about them for many years and I like it. The nearest store is close enough to even walk to but then I can’t buy too much because I have to carry it home. I think they are Western states only. We don’t have Aldi here.
By the way Trader Joe’s started as a similar discount store selling clearance, cut-out, overstock foods and wines. Now almost everything is made custom for them and prices there have definitely gone way up.
The ones in Oregon used (maybe still do) have monthly wine tastings. They would also set out samples of cheese, salami, crackers. It was a fun time but a bit of a drive and then had to be in Friday afternoon traffic (plus after sipping some wine – though my wife would usually drive). The managers of the stores we went to were very nice but they now retired.
In WA I don’t think they can do the tastings. They can sell hard liquor after laws changed and sometimes there are interesting things at good prices. The WA liquor tax is very high (not their fault).
I’d say that their fresh fruits and vegetables are actually better than sad-looking ones at the local big-chain grocery stores. The store staff constantly maintains the fruit/veg area. There will sometimes be a place for bags of discount fruits maybe not pretty but still usable, usually $1/bag. Also at this time of year lots of good garden plants: flowers, sometimes even trees. Christmas trees in-season.
Since I used to go there a lot for wine (don’t as much anymore – we have casemates), I did learn that the selection of what they can stock varies by region because of the way wine distribution is done. Some stores don’t seem to care and I guess just say “send me the usual stuff” but other stores have knowledgeable wine guys and if you get to meet them you can ask “what is new and good” and they will point out things to try. Apparently each store can request things from the local distribution and some will pick out some of the special stuff. If it really is something like that (special but cheap) be prepared for it to sell out quickly. Used to carry a wine opener in the car so you can try a taste in the parking lot and then if you want go inside to buy more because it might not be there tomorrow. Also at least in the old days you could call back and have them hold a case for you till tomorrow. But again the good wine deals don’t come as frequently as they used to and most is just “regular stock” which always seems to be there, and is kind-of, Meh.
You can install an app and sign-up and then scan a barcode at checkout (like almost all stores want you to do at the moment). You’ll sometimes (not always) get extra benefits.
I love this place. Bargain roulette. You get the weirdest, cheapest stuff there. Sometimes it’s awesome (habanero pineapple crisp snack) sometimes it’s awful (mushroom jerky). We call it Groçout (pronounced “Gross Out”).
User DictatorChops looks like a new account, made for the singular purpose of posting spam in the forum. (starting with thread necromancy before this current topic)
But then it got a lot of positive response and conversation/interaction.
Did we get trolled? Did we invert that and defeat the troll? Is DictatorChops actually a genuine person really joining our community, and just happens to looks completely suspicious?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
We have one here in my town in SoCal (I have ALOT of grocery stores within a 3-4 mile radius), and I’ve been there a handful of times. Honestly, the prices were never really low enough to me to justify trying some of the jankie brands, and the effort put into the store (by both managers and employees) always seem lackluster.
Than a couple years ago, they upscaled the store… better lighting, better produce displays, some better selections. It honestly was a better shopping experience. But they also jacked up the prices to basically the same level as all the other chain local grocery stores. So there’s no real value proposition there anymore.
Besides, Aldi‘s still has the overwhelming lead when it comes to food prices.
(on a sidenote, Vons is absolutely gouging the hell out of everyone since the pandemic.)
@haydesigner
One interesting thing about chain stores is that the prices that are not in the ad are not necessarily the same as in the same store across town (source, someone who actually did the comparison shop herself of a set of items across multiple stores)
One thing I have found is which store is cheaper depends upon what you buy. I have started a somewhat of a rotation. I have stocked up items but I shop more leisurely, usually 2-3 times a week. (the 3rd is the farmer’s market). I have basically 3 choices I use. I go to Vons/Albertsons (we have both a short distance apart) for certain items that are priced better there or that they carry that others don’t. I go there about once every 2 weeks unless it is dollar days, then I go for a couple things that are almost always on those lists I alternate with Stater Brothers (Local regional chain) mostly for meat. This is because I can buy 1 of something. Less wastage. They will also butterfly or spatchock chickends for me. They have certified meat cutters. they also carry items Albertsons does not. And some items are cheaper
My second time each week is often Sprouts. more expensive but if smaller and quicker in and out if all I want is for example fruits and veggies.
I refuse to shop at Walmart. And have been boycotting Target since they screwed the pooch. Aldi is not far away but just doesn’t meet my needs overall. I have gone in for this and that but I end up going somewhere else to get other things and that’s a waste.
I remember when my father would go shopping as a child. When he went he mapped everything out and went store to store to store to get the best prices. All on the same day. That’s just not me
I guess especially since I retired I am willing to pay for the privilege of my convenience
Yes, I’ve known about them for many years and I like it. The nearest store is close enough to even walk to but then I can’t buy too much because I have to carry it home. I think they are Western states only. We don’t have Aldi here.
By the way Trader Joe’s started as a similar discount store selling clearance, cut-out, overstock foods and wines. Now almost everything is made custom for them and prices there have definitely gone way up.
@pmarin
The TJ and ALDI history is actually pretty fascinating.
The ones in Oregon used (maybe still do) have monthly wine tastings. They would also set out samples of cheese, salami, crackers. It was a fun time but a bit of a drive and then had to be in Friday afternoon traffic (plus after sipping some wine – though my wife would usually drive). The managers of the stores we went to were very nice but they now retired.
In WA I don’t think they can do the tastings. They can sell hard liquor after laws changed and sometimes there are interesting things at good prices. The WA liquor tax is very high (not their fault).
I’d say that their fresh fruits and vegetables are actually better than sad-looking ones at the local big-chain grocery stores. The store staff constantly maintains the fruit/veg area. There will sometimes be a place for bags of discount fruits maybe not pretty but still usable, usually $1/bag. Also at this time of year lots of good garden plants: flowers, sometimes even trees. Christmas trees in-season.
Since I used to go there a lot for wine (don’t as much anymore – we have casemates), I did learn that the selection of what they can stock varies by region because of the way wine distribution is done. Some stores don’t seem to care and I guess just say “send me the usual stuff” but other stores have knowledgeable wine guys and if you get to meet them you can ask “what is new and good” and they will point out things to try. Apparently each store can request things from the local distribution and some will pick out some of the special stuff. If it really is something like that (special but cheap) be prepared for it to sell out quickly. Used to carry a wine opener in the car so you can try a taste in the parking lot and then if you want go inside to buy more because it might not be there tomorrow. Also at least in the old days you could call back and have them hold a case for you till tomorrow. But again the good wine deals don’t come as frequently as they used to and most is just “regular stock” which always seems to be there, and is kind-of, Meh.
You can install an app and sign-up and then scan a barcode at checkout (like almost all stores want you to do at the moment). You’ll sometimes (not always) get extra benefits.
Hey @DictatorChops …on a side note, welcome to the madhouse.
Grocery Outlet: Where East Meets West
I love this place. Bargain roulette. You get the weirdest, cheapest stuff there. Sometimes it’s awesome (habanero pineapple crisp snack) sometimes it’s awful (mushroom jerky). We call it Groçout (pronounced “Gross Out”).
KRULL! A SKULL! BRETT HULL! AWESOME!
I’m a fan. I actually bought two of my favorite blueberry plant varietals, an orchid and a loaf of local bread from ours yesterday.
@sillyheathen That’s gonna make some crazy sandwiches.
User DictatorChops looks like a new account, made for the singular purpose of posting spam in the forum. (starting with thread necromancy before this current topic)
But then it got a lot of positive response and conversation/interaction.
Did we get trolled? Did we invert that and defeat the troll? Is DictatorChops actually a genuine person really joining our community, and just happens to looks completely suspicious?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯