While Trader Joe's does have some favorable prices for "fancy" cheese , TJ's can't seem to make a better deal on everyday shreds and slices. Aldi was also at an advantage for produce items that were priced individually, though its produce department is significantly smaller than TJ's.

Plus, certain items such as beefsteak tomatoes and bell peppers were only available at Aldi's in two- or three-packs, bringing the overall cost of goods in that department up due to the larger size.

Turns out that there's more to the "trader" element of Trader Joe's than a catchy name. According to the Trader Joe's website , the grocer deals directly with manufacturers and growers instead of with brokers and distributors, which is the norm for most American grocery chains.

Cutting out that middle tier is part of the reason TJ's is able to offer products at such consistently low prices. But Trader Joe's isn't the only, nor the first, company to operate that way. Aldi, a grocery retailer based in Germany that slightly predates Trader Joe's, has stores across Europe and the US.

The chain works directly with producers, using over 50 different "brand" labels that are essentially Aldi store brands, such as Baker's Corner, Dakota's Pride and Kirkwood, among many others.

Kirkwood sounds similar to bulk retailer Costco's proprietary Kirkland brand, but Aldi predates Costco by a couple of decades. Keeping a limited number of Stock Keeping Units, or SKUs used for inventory management, is one way both companies are able to pass savings along to customers.

Aldi also operates as more of a low-overhead retailer than Trader Joe's, with a feel similar to Costco or other discount bulk stores.

There are few bells and whistles to Aldi's aisles, and the vibe is more perfunctory and spare, with items stacked on shelves in their shipping boxes, which results in less labor required to restock. You won't find hand-drawn signs to indicate Aldi prices, nor will you find a plethora of helpful staff or free samples like you would at TJ's.

Though this battle of the bargain retailers didn't turn up a clear winner between Trader Joe's and Aldi, if you live someplace where you can choose either store, the winner is you.

Why You Can Trust CNET. Trader Joe's or Aldi: Which Store Has the Better Deals? Main Avenue Federal Way - Pacific Hwy S Ferndale - Labounty Dr. Raymond Ave. Gardnerville - Us Highway n, Ste. Hayward - West Harder Road Hemet - East Florida Avenue Hillsboro - South First Avenue Hines - Hwy 20 N.

Hollister - Tres Pinos Road Huntington Beach - Beach Blvd. Imperial Highway Irvine - Barranca Parkway Island City - Island Avenue Jackson - 9 No. State Highway Junction City - Highway 99 East Kenmore - Ne Bothell Way Suite Kennewick - West 4th Avenue Kent - th Avenue Se Kent - Pacific Hwy S King City - SW th Avenue Klamath Falls - S 6th Street La Habra - W Whittier Blvd La Mirada - Imperial Highway,suite B La Pine - Us, Suite La Puente - Workman Mill Road Lacey - Martin Way E Lake Elsinore - Central Avenue Lake Forest - El Toro Road Lakeport - South Main Street Lakewood - Pacific Highway Sw Lakewood - Woodruff Avenue Lancaster - Lincoln Highway East Lancaster - Spring Valley Road Lebanon - S Santiam Highway Lewiston - Thain Road Lincoln City - NW Highway Suite Livermore - Railroad Avenue Lodi - S.

Cherokee Lane, Ste Lompoc - E. Ocean Avenue Long Beach - E. Cleveland Avenue Madras - Sw Hwy 97 Mammoth - 37 Old Mammoth Road Manheim - Lancaster Road rt 72 Manteca - E. Yosemite Avenue Maple Valley - Maple Valley Blk Diamond Marina - Reservation Road Marysville - b State Avenue McKinleyville - Central Ave McMinnville - NE Highway 99W Mechanicsburg - 85 Gateway Drive Medford - 35 East Stewart Avenue Merced - West Main Street Milpitas - W Calaveras Boulevard Milwaukie - SE McLoughlin Boulevard Modesto - Prescott Road Modesto - Oakdale Road Monroe - Butler Avenue Moorpark - Los Angeles Ave.

Moses Lake - N Stratford Road Mount Vernon - Riverside Drive Napa - W. Imola Avenue National City - Highland Avenue New Cumberland - Old York Rd New Holland - West Main Street Newark - Newark Boulevard Ste.

Coast Hwy Novato - South Novato Boulevard Oak Harbor - Ne Koetje Street Oakdale - N Yosemite Avenue Oakhurst - Junction Drive Oakland - Broadway Oakley - Main Street Oceanside - College Boulevard Olympia - Harrison Avenue Nw Omak - Engh Rd Ontario - South Euclid Ave Ontario - Southwest 4th Avenue Orange - East Chapman Avenue Orangevale - Greenback Lane Oregon City - Molalla Avenue Orland - South Street Oroville - Oroville Dam Blvd.

E Oxnard - N. Ventura Road Pacifica - Coast Highway Palmyra - 66 N Londonderry Sq Ste Palo Alto - Alma Street Paradise - Clark Road Suite A Paramount - Downey Ave Pasco - Road 68, Suite Paso Robles - Riverside Ave Ste Pendleton - Sw Court Avenue Petaluma - 80 E Washington Pinole - Fitzgerald Drive Placerville - Broadway Pleasant Hill - Contra Costa Boulevard Porterville - 50 W Olive Ave Portland - Ne Sandy Blvd Portland - SE Division Street Portland - NE Hancock Street Portland - SE Flavel Street Portland - N Lombard Poway - Poway Road Prineville - Ne 3rd Street Quakertown - 70 N.

West End Boulevard Rainier - West B Street Rancho Cordova - Zinfandel Drive Reading - North 5th Street Red Bluff - South Main Street Redding - Churn Creek Road Redmond - Nw 5th St Redwood City - Broadway St Reno - Lemmon Drive Suite Reno - S Kietzke Lane Renton - Ne Sunset Boulevard Rialto - West Renaissance Parkway Richmond - San Pablo Avenue Riverside - Madison Street Rocklin - Lonetree Boulevard Rohnert Park - Commerce Boulevard Roseburg - W Harvard Ave Rosemead - East Valley Blvd.

Roseville - Roseville Square Sacramento - W. El Camino Avenue Sacramento - Capitol Avenue Sacramento - Del Paso Blvd. Another way Market Basket offers such competitive prices is by offering pretty much the same goods at all of its locations.

Because of this strategy, it can buy in bulk, ensuring a lower wholesale price. It can then pass those savings on to its customers, who keep going back to the store to take advantage of those low prices.

One of the main benefits of shopping at Market Basket is the fact that you can get a lot of your favorite name-brand products for significantly cheaper than you would find them at other grocery stores.

If you've never gone to a Market Basket before and you happen to live near one, you have to check it out — you may just be shocked at how low the prices are.

Like Costco, Sam's Club is a membership grocery store with a focus on selling products in bulk. When you're shopping this way, you may be spending more upfront, but generally, you're going to save money in the long run as long as you use what you buy.

Of course, the membership cost of shopping at Sam's Club helps the company offer lower prices. Although Sam's Club offers its membership prices for less than Costco does, you'll generally find lower prices on goods at Costco.

But that doesn't mean you can't get a good deal at Sam's Club too. Particularly if you're a frequent shopper, you can save significantly on your annual grocery spending by shopping at Sam's Club. In fact, you can even save more than you would by shopping at Walmart, which is the parent company of Sam's Club.

If you're looking for a Costco alternative, Sam's Club is a solid way to go. WinCo is another celebrated low-cost grocery store with locations that can be found in the West and Midwest, with prices that are sometimes below what even Costco can offer. But why is the chain so cheap? First of all, the chain buys a lot of its products directly from producers.

By not going through a wholesale middleman, WinCo can get those products for less money, and it then passes those savings on to its customers. But the store has another tactic under its belt: It doesn't accept credit cards.

Oftentimes, processing credit cards can be expensive for a store, and by only accepting other forms of payment, WinCo doesn't have to pay that premium price. The upside? You don't need a membership to shop at WinCo like you do at stores like Costco and Sam's Club.

The downside is that you'll have to remember to bring a form of payment that's not a credit card. Ask any Texan what their favorite grocery stores are, and chances are that they'll mention H-E-B.

This chain has a cult following amongst citizens of the Lone Star State, and it's no wonder why. In addition to providing its customers with a wide array of top-notch products, the store also boasts relatively low prices compared to many other chains. When it comes to produce, H-E-B can offer much lower costs than many stores because it prioritizes working with local producers.

Since it's generally not shipping in produce from around the world, its transportation costs are significantly lower than those of many other grocery stores. This in turn lowers the cost of fruits and vegetables for customers, who keep coming back because of the solid prices.

This high rate of turnover makes the company money while helping its customers cut their grocery costs. The only downside is the fact that you won't find H-E-B in the other 49 states, though there are over 60 locations in Mexico. However, if you're in Texas and you haven't yet checked out the popular chain, you need to shop there ASAP — it may just change your budget grocery game for the long haul.

You're not going to find Food4Less everywhere — the company, which is owned by grocery magnate Kroger, only operates in three states Indiana, Illinois, and California.

But if you do happen to live near one of the chain's locations, you can benefit from the lower-than-average prices you'll find there. You'll want to take a look at the store's weekly ads because that's where you'll often find the very best deals. Like a lot of discount stores, you'll have to bag your own groceries, but we think it's worth it for the lower cost.

A lot of the time, these cheaper stores don't offer pharmacies or household items like cleaning products, but you'll find these amenities and more at Food4Less, which makes it a great option for people who want to get all of their shopping done at one spot.

Is Food4Less the most luxurious place you've ever shopped for groceries? But it will get you out the door with a few bags of groceries for considerably less than you would pay at most grocery stores.

Never go hungry with these snacks and staples. Shop Target for grocery deals at great prices. Free shipping on orders $35+ or free same-day pickup in store What are the top deals this week? Chicken is only $ per pound at Food Lion, and russet potatoes are only 50 cents per pound at Wegmans. A Shop at ALDI for low prices on quality groceries

Video

Affordable supermarket specials - At Grocery Outlet, you'll find name brand groceries and farm fresh organic produce for % less than conventional grocery stores Never go hungry with these snacks and staples. Shop Target for grocery deals at great prices. Free shipping on orders $35+ or free same-day pickup in store What are the top deals this week? Chicken is only $ per pound at Food Lion, and russet potatoes are only 50 cents per pound at Wegmans. A Shop at ALDI for low prices on quality groceries

Frozen Pizza. Frozen Sandwiches. Bakery Desserts. Expand Menu Collapse Menu Snacks. Trail Mix. Fruit Snacks. Expand Menu Collapse Menu Pantry Essentials. Canned Foods.

Expand Menu Collapse Menu Beverages. Sports Drinks. Protein Shakes. Drink Mixes. Expand Menu Collapse Menu Alcohol. Red Wine. White Wine. Sparkling Wine. Rosé Wine. Specialty Wine. Hard Beverages. Expand Menu Collapse Menu Baby Items.

Expand Menu Collapse Menu Pet Supplies. Expand Menu Collapse Menu Household Essentials. Expand Menu Collapse Menu Personal Care. Hair Care. Oral Care.

Fan Favorites. Seasonal Products. Valentine's Day. Healthy Living. See All Products. Expand Menu Collapse Menu Weekly Specials. Our Weekly Ads. This Week's ALDI Finds. Upcoming ALDI Finds. Expand Menu Collapse Menu Online Shopping. New ALDI Grocery Website. Grocery Delivery.

Grocery Pickup. Find A Store. Expand Menu Collapse Menu Recipes. Expand Menu Collapse Menu Pork. Expand Menu Collapse Menu Pasta. You are now leaving AARP. org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP.

A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Go to Series Main Page. With grocery bills up nearly 6. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index, any savings can help, even if it means going somewhere new.

AARP Membership. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine. Join Now. The variety on store shelves, the quality of the food , handling and labor costs, competition and the demographic of the shopper all play into the prices a particular retailer charges.

Stores that cater to lower-income shoppers tend to keep prices lower, while supermarkets that have a lot of variety may have higher prices as a result. There are discount stores where you can get big bargains on select items, traditional grocery stores that amp up the savings by offering generics and loyalty programs, and one-stop shops where you can get everything from bread to batteries in one place.

Proximity to the store and the type of food you purchase will play a role in how much you save. But all things being equal, in some categories, location is everything when it comes to getting a deal.

The totals are based on non-sale prices and do not include coupons, loyalty discounts or taxes. Here are our results. Walmart has been a part of American culture since , when the first store opened in Rogers, Arkansas. Today there are 4, stores across the U. Walmart is known for its low prices, and that is true of its groceries.

Across most categories, Walmart came in first or second when it comes to price. The ability to buy everything under one roof on the cheap appeals to many consumers, including Robert and Sherri Evans.

The 74- and year-old retirees say they shop at Walmart for the convenience and to save. Privacy Policy. But by and large, they are drawn to Walmart because of the pricing and selection. The key to saving is to know your prices and be willing to compare, the couple say.

Shopping Tip : Know your prices and be willing to comparison shop. Hailing from Germany but now headquartered in the U. It also focuses on keeping costs down so that it can pass on the savings to its customers.

Coupons for Local Stores. Save on clothing, gifts, beauty and other everyday shopping needs. Popular with Aldi shoppers is its weekly Aldi Finds. Every Wednesday the retailer puts out new discounted food items, small kitchen appliances, seasonal decor, outdoor furniture, gardening tools, apparel and other items.

It's a big draw for Victor Sukhai, who started shopping at Aldi on the recommendation of his brother. Sukhai comes for those Aldi finds and to purchase peanuts and other food items he knows he can get for cheap. The key to really saving at Aldi, as Sukhai sees it: Get there early.

But they were sold out. Shopping Tip: The early bird gets all the deals. The grocer has been around for more than years, hawking everything from produce to specialty cheeses.

After all, as a regional chain it offers a huge selection of both name-brand and generic items. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. She racks up reward points that she applies to her bill.

She has spent over two decades writing and covering news for several national publications including The Wall Street Journal , Forbes , Investopedia and HerMoney.

Discover AARP Members Only Access. Already a Member? Take 5 Expenses Off the Chopping Block. Staples You Should Always Buy On Sale. See All. High Yield Savings from Marcus by Goldman Sachs®. Rate bonus on high-yield online savings account. AARP Long-Term Care Options from New York Life.

Custom long-term care options to fit your needs and budget. A free resource to help you assess a financial advisor. AARP® Staying Sharp®. Activities, recipes, challenges and more with full access to AARP Staying Sharp®. SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS.

What We Do. Rewards Star AARP Rewards. CLOSE × Search. Popular Searches Games Car rental AARP daily Crossword Puzzle Hotels with AARP discounts Life Insurance AARP Dental Insurance Plans Travel.

Suggested Links Help Show me my account info Change my Address How do I contact AARP? Where is my membership card? How do I get a digital card? LIMITED TIME OFFER-Black Friday Sale. Join now and get a FREE GIFT. Renew Now. Staying Fit Your Personalized Guide to Fitness.

AARP Hearing Center Ways To Improve Your Hearing. Mental Health Resources Coping with Depression and Anxiety. Mental Health 25 Great Ways to Find Happiness. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Free Tax Preparation Assistance. AARP Money Map Get Your Finances Back on Track. Flexible Work 10 Part-Time Jobs to Beat Inflation.

AARP Skills Builder Online Courses to Boost Your Career. Job Search Age Proof Your Resume. Webinars Get More out of Your Benefits.

Enrollment When to Start Taking Social Security. Basics 10 Top Social Security FAQs. Tools Social Security Benefits Calculator. Medicare Made Easy Original vs. Enrollment Guide Step-by-Step Tool for First-Timers. Prescription Drugs 9 Biggest Changes Under New Rx Law.

Medicare FAQs Quick Answers to Your Top Questions. State Guides Assistance and Services in Your Area. Prepare to Care Guides How to Develop a Caregiving Plan. End of Life How to Cope With Grief, Loss. Beach vacation ideas Vacations for Sun and Fun.

Vacation Ideas Follow the Set-Jetting Trend. AARP City Guide Discover Tucson, Arizona. AARP Smart Guide to Cruises Tips for Planning, Packing and Landing.

Movies for Grownups Movies for Grownups Awards Winners. TV for Grownups New Shows to Watch in Free Online Novel Read 'The Raging Storm'. Get Fit How to Create a Home Gym.

Privacy Store Medical Records on Your Phone? Tech Tips Maximize the Life of Your Phone Battery. Virtual Community Center Join Free Tech Help Events. Your Home Create a Hygge Haven. Recipes Soups to Comfort Your Soul. AARP Smart Guide 38 Ways to Boost Home's Curb Appeal. Car Buying Is Now the Time to Buy an Electric Car?

We Need To Talk Assess Your Loved One's Driving Skills. Driver Safety AARP Smart Driver Course. Leaving AARP. org Website. Continue Cancel. A look at where shoppers can save the most on groceries. Donna Fuscaldo,.

En español. Published June 13, Supermarket shoppers from left to right: Manuela and Mario Anastacio, 57 and 56; Robert and Sherri Evans, 74 and 68; and Victor Sukhai, Sabrina Santiago. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn. Walmart shoppers Robert and Sherri Evans, 74 and See All Newsletters.