The Box and The Buck – Part 1: The Box
When I was researching Warehouse Stores for the last posting, it occurred to me that I should look for Box Store information as well, to see if what I wrote in The Plan needed updating. I was happy that my information is still current, but surprised to find the Consumer Savings Experts, especially at kinolinc.com mention them far less, and Dollar Stores far more frequently as economic shopping alternatives than they had previously. With a bit of a shock, I realized that I had been trending that way myself, and had blamed it on an excellent Dollar Store opening next to my favorite supermarket. Now, I decided to play detective and learn the reasons they had become a viable option, generally.
First, let’s review, in part, what I wrote about Box Stores in The Plan:
“Of course it may be that one of these stores is your chosen major food supplier. If that is the case, you need to bear in mind that they don’t publish detailed fliers, or really feature a lot of weekly sales. In creating your menu and making your list it’s difficult to calculate a fairly narrow ballpark figure of your expected expenses for the week On the other hand, their prices usually remain steady for longer periods, so if you become really familiar with the store, you should be able to “gestimate”. It’s wise, however, to leave a larger margin for error. My personal experience has been that, aside from their generic brands, they don’t deliver the giant savings!”
I confess, in the past few months, my visits to box stores have been to the garden departments, not food, but I have always relied on them to stock up on staples, especially baking supplies. With a couple of birthdays coming up, I made a list and headed out, to a stunning experience at my first choice. Though I’ve seen these stores increase their prices before, and even, a couple of years ago, twice within a short time, but, generally, they, still beat the supermarkets. This trip, I rejected item after item, because I could do as well or better at the supermarket.
In the dairy department, milk and eggs had never been competitively priced, but other items were. Now even the items on sale were on a par with other markets. For example, a yogurt sale, brand and price, mirrored two markets, and 8oz. of their own brand of shredded cheese, which had always run about 50 cents less than any supermarket’s, cost $2.50 for 8oz. while one market regularly sells a name brand 3/$5 or 8oz for $1.65 each.
The situation in the other departments was the same. The Bakery and the Deli had never been competitive, nor had most of the meat offerings, but poultry, specifically chicken, always a big draw, was suddenly, like the yogurt and cheese, either equal to or more than the supermarket. Likewise was the whole produce department. Moreover, the little specials only they had, like packages of 3 tomatoes for $1.00, were gone. The same held true for the frozen foods. Their own brand of whipped topping, for example, was .88cents, but now it’s $1.00, which is the price of the leading brand in supermarkets. No saving there!
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The biggest surprise, and disappointment, was the grocery section. As I said, I have a couple of occasions coming up, and, having planned both menus, as I outlined doing in an earlier blog, I had thought to get most of my basic ingredients in one trip. However, I did reject item after item, because I could get it for the same price, or less, elsewhere closer to the event(s) thus amortizing the price and avoiding have to store it until then. I did find a few things I couldn’t get elsewhere, but, oddly, it was because they were stocked in smaller packages: nut meats, frosting mixes, cooking oil to temper a new pan; not the “Stock up and Save” products they advertize. I will still check in for comparison, or if I can’t find what I need, but I can’t rely on replenishing my basic supplies, or provisioning for occasions there, any more.
The other two box stores I checked had also raised their prices, though not as drastically. One still had the imported pasta I like and the other the seasoned vinegars, both for only slightly more. This wasn’t as shocking because neither store ever claimed to be bargain destinations. However, in all fairness to all these stores, their recent advertizing does not promote any of them as other than being wise choices, due to competitive pricing, for the economically focused smart shopper.
In conclusion, my overall assessment of Box Stores is very much as written in The Plan. They are a great place for multi-purpose bulk shopping, but keep a constant eye on the food prices, because even in their own brands, they’re not as competitive as they were. Without weekly fliers to advise you, you can’t calculate expenditure as closely, and may need to leave some wiggle room. It’s not so much a case of “Buyer beware!” as “Buyer be informed!”
From now on, before I go to one of these stores, I’m going to check the items on my list against their prices as quoted in the regular supermarket flyers, and jot them down. If it’s only a slight difference on a thing I need right away, it might not be worth going elsewhere, but if it’s significant, or there are several items that cost more, then the savings could justify visiting another store. On the bright side, especially if you depend on a box store for your major food shopping, most of the larger chains offer “price matching.”If you can prove something cost less in another store, they will sell you the item for that price. So your option here, is to read the other flyers, circle the items you need, and take the flyers with you should you need “proof.”
Also please remember not to confuse box stores with outlet stores, which are another animal entirely, These can lack consistency in merchandise and often in quality, frequently carrying outdated and sometimes damaged goods. Box stores are usually, part of a large national chain. Theoretically, it’s their mass buying that enables them to pass on affordable prices to the public. Outlet stores are more apt to be regional, or local, and deal in liquidated merchandise form the larger chains, that was overstocked, irregular, or undersold. Usually, but not always, the store’s name mentions its category.
