Perhaps you’ve seen those Walmart grocery ads…
You know, the ones in which the Bentonville-based, retail powerhouse claims to beat the prices at hometown grocer Price Chopper.
Well, I had some time on my hands Sunday and decided to conduct my own unscientific survey between three nearby Overland Park markets – Walmart Neighborhood Market, Price Chopper and Hy-Vee.
Here are the items surveyed and the prices found:
* 80% Ground Beef
Price Chopper: $4.35 per lb
Walmart: $4.48 per lb.
Hy-Vee: $5.19 lb.
* Ham Salad
Price Chopper: $5.99 per lb.
Walmart: $5.31 per lb.
Hy-Vee: $4.99 lb
* Pet Evaporated Milk (12 oz. can)
Price Chopper: $1.19
Walmart: $1.18
Hy-Vee: $1.29
* Shake ‘N Bake (4.75 oz.)
Price Chopper: $2.29
Walmart: $2.00
Hy-Vee: $2.29
* Loaf of White Bimbo or Wonder Bread
Price Chopper: $2.49
Walmart: $1.88
Hy-Vee: $2.28
* Russet Baked Potatoes
Price Chopper: $ 0.69 lb.
Walmart: $0.98 lb.
Hy-Vee: $0.79 lb.
* Yellow Onions
Price Chopper: $0.79 lb.
Walmart: $0.99 lb.
Hy-Vee: $0.99 lb.
* Dozen Grade A Large Eggs
Price Chooper: $2.19
Walmart: $1.98
Hy-Vee: $2.49
* Axe Body Spray (can)
Price Chopper: $4.29
Walmart: $3.97
Hy-Vee: $4.97
* Gallon of Hiland 2% Milk
Price Chopper: $4.65
Walmart: $4.66
Hy-Vee: $4.69
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Total for the 10 items sans any coupons or reward cards:
HY-VEE: $29.97
PRICE CHOPPER: $28.92
WAlMART: $27.43
So Walmart beat Price Chopper by 4.9% and Hy-Vee by 8.5%.
While my shopping choices may be a bit out there (am I the last guy standing that still buys white bread and Shake N Bake? – based on my experience those Walmart ads appear to be correct.
One wild card.
I didn’t factor in Price Chopper’s customer discount or Hy-Vee’s gas saver cards.
The bottom line: You really can save some money at Walmart…that is if you don’t mind shopping at the Evil Empire…
Shake-N-Bake and white bread? 1975 called. They want their grocery list back.
The aroma of Axe Body Spray: the perfect accompaniment for your white leisure suit, during a romantic dinner of Wonder Bread and Shake n Bake.
You gotta remember, Jim…
Jack is an escapee from Germany during the Col. Klink era and he eats like a migrant farm worker
Wrong regime, Hearne.
My era was that of East Germany–as in the German Democratic Republic which translates to Soviet puppet state.
Was that the doubleplusgood German Democratic Republic? How oxymoronic.
I meant, the TV show, not the history that the TV show was based on
Regarding the bread comparison I couldn’t find Bimbo at Hy-Vee. So I figured Wonder was probably pricing closely.
And about me being the last guy buying Shake ‘N Bake and white bread….you sure couldn’t tell it by the amount of space devote to both products by the stores.
…oh, and Hearne’s zinger about the Evil Empire….I thought that was attributed to the Walt’s Mouse empire.
But Jackie, how do they compare to your German buddy Aldi?
I was going basically for full service stores with name brand labels. (I know the hamburger meat, potatoes and onions don’t really qualify.)
Wal Mart has an advantage on any low quality food that can be packaged and shipped from China in large quantities. You’ll save money up front but spend it later on diabetes and cancer treatments.
WalMart’s service is atrocious. If you buy any frozen foods there, you will be lucky if it is not thawed out by the time you get home with the 30 minute checkout time. They also have prepackaged meat that is packed with carbon monoxide to make it look red and fresh, even if it really isn’t fresh. They may be a hair cheaper, but are not a good overall value.
If you don’t mind having a shorter lifespan, go ahead and shop at Wal-Shart. Things will sort themselves out soon enough..cough cough colon cancer cough cough diabetes cough..
Bottom line..buy all produce and meats from the local guys. Use Walmart for everything else.
WalMart = the mighty Satan of retailers.
On a related note, don’t buy the dollar hot dogs – or any hot dogs, for that matter – out at Cough(-Up-A-Lung-)Man Stadium.
Hasn’t it always been that way? Some things are cheaper at one place and other things are cheaper at another. I can remember when my hometown had 2 Grocery stores and my mom would go to both for different things. WalMart has just made it a safer bet across the board that you will save more since they are lower on more things but at what cost? I don’t think I want to know.
ALDI ALDI ALDI !!!!!!!!!!! Crap! too late but stil… ALDI!!!!