It is better to go to a big box brand store like Walmart or Target or is it better to go to an actual grocery store like Woodmans or Piggly Wiggly? Both sell groceries, so which one is better? I have shopped at both options, and each has its pros and cons.
Big box brand
Pros- These type of stores have everything from food, to clothes, to electronics, to toys. It’s a one-stop-shop for if you’re shopping for you, the family or a friend. There have been many times that I have run into a Walmart to get some medicine and then ran to the food area to get something else. It’s very convenient to be able to have a variety of products in one place.
Another pro is that the prices can sometimes be a little lower, and who doesn’t love cheaper? These prices aren’t hugely different, but something is better than nothing
Cons- A downfall of big-box brand stores is that when it comes to getting food, they do not have everything. Of course, they have A LOT of items, but sometimes the super-specific flours or type of oils are not sold there. This is when you’d need to go to an actual grocery store or specialty store to get those items. Also if the store isn’t a superstore, the options are even more limited when it comes to buying groceries.
Grocery store
Pros- The thing about grocery stores is that they are meant to have food sold at them. What does that exactly mean? The product could be a little better or even fresher. Of course, every store will/should have fresh products, but grocery stores are supposed to have fresh products. I bought organ mini cucumbers at a Walmart and not even 24 hours later, they were already slimy. I’d like to think a Woodman’s or Piggly Wiggly wouldn’t do that. Now, that could have just been a bad bag, but I have had multiple times that buying produce at a big box brand store has not been as good as from a grocery store.
Another pro of grocery stores is that there are a variety of different ones. You have some that are all organic, some that have a wide variety of “healthy snacks, and some that just have a little bit of everything. Depending on your price range, you can shop at more expensive or higher end stores.
Cons- As I mentioned for the pros of big box brands, you don’t have a one-stop-shop to get everything you need at a grocery store. If you need some bathroom cleaner, you could get it at a grocery store, but it will be a lot more expensive and not has many varieties. The prices are also going to be slightly higher at grocery stores.
At the end of the day, I think I would prefer a grocery store over a big box brand. I like having the variety and better produce. However, my college town only has a Walmart (and it’s not even a Super Walmart), so I’ve gotten used to shopping there too.
