Do you think wal-mart grocery is of lower quality than conventional grocery stores?

Question

I buy most of our food there, 'cause it is just easier to get everything at one stop with two young children!!
But i was just wondering if i am getting a bargain or just getting what i am paying for??

Answer 1

Honestly, I am in the same boat with you- I shop there for food because of the price and the convenience...But I do have to say that I think it is lower quality- at least on the produce and perishibles area...

Recently, my hubby and I needed some veggies for a soup I was making and we were next door to a new Kroger Signature Store in our area, so we stopped by and were SHOCKED at how much better the vegetables tasted... Also recently, when shopping at Wally-world, we found a molded lemon on the pile of lemons and sour cream in the refrigerated section that was bad (by 4 days)...

We have been trying to buy produce and perishibles at an actual grocery store since then, but sometimes cost and convenience keep us from being able to do that...

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I believe the only lower quality items in Wal-Mart is their produce, and meat section i would never buy it from there. But the canned foods, and packaged foods are the same as what you'd get at a conventional grocery store. I don't agree with buying everything at Wal-Mart, give your local grocery store some business too : )

Answer 3

Packaged/Processed Foods:
Quality is comparable for Name brand foods are of the same quality. Wal-Mart gets a price break because they buy in massive quantities.

Their house brand - Sam's Choice, President's Choice... etc. They're okay. Just depends upon what it is.

Fruits and Veggies
For fruits and veggies, I tend to shop for local products. Wal-Mart doesn't seem to have the local connections for fresh fruits and veggies.

Meats
Also, one thing to be aware of is in the meat department. Wal-Mart meats are soaked (brined) in a solution to help the meat retain moisture and keep it's appearance for a long time. It states it on the meat package (enhanced with a water based solution), if you look for it. So for meats, I tend to buy at a local supermarket. I don't want meat that has been treated. I'd rather do that myself so I know what's going into and onto the meat.

Answer 4

Depending on what the item is at the time and whether your local grocery stores are running specials on that item, your lowest price will usually be Wal-Mart. They buy in large quantities and the price is already set before the item goes in the store. Wal-Mart will always try to be the lowest price in town. Most of their items are brand names. I have found that in some items, it doesn't matter if it's brand name or not, the taste is just as good. You have to do a little comparison shopping to make sure you are getting quality and at a good price.

Answer 5

I do a lot of my shopping there too, there is only 1 other grocery store in my town and it's more expensive. I like to think of it as a bargain, even though i spend more money because of all the other non-food items i buy. And i normally buy brand name foods, generic just isn't the same!

I am careful with their meats, sometimes they don't look so safe. And the produce doesn't always look fresh, so i'm selective on that too.

Answer 6

The brands are the same. The only brands that may be a bit inferior are the "SAMS" brand of food. And to be honest some of that stuff is better than the name brand stuff.

Their meets however do not meet the quality cut of other places like Albertson's or Smith. It's good meet, but it's not from a high end company that sells the best bred cattle.

Wallmart Rocks! We buy almost everything from there (other than meats). They generally beat the other stores hands down.

Answer 7

You are getting a bargain on everything except meat and poultry sold by the pound. Wal-Mart meats are "pumped" up with water and sodium and also have you noticed the unnatural sheen to the meat? Its coated. Ever notice there is an ingredient label on their meat packages? It has to be there because of the post butcher additives.

Answer 8

Probably not with the name brands. With the others it will be trial and error.
I get better bargains shopping the specials at regular grocery stores. It does take more time but the savings are worth it.

Answer 9

I by all my cleaning , dairy the organics one , and all the can products there, because they are a lot cheaper, but my meat fruits and vegetables I by organic, we have a few stores so by know I know the ones that have the best prices, meat and produce at walmart are low quality,so just find ohers stores maybe on your way for these items

Answer 10

I don't care for there produce or meat, seems lower quality of meat and not so fresh produce. Anything else works. Even there great value brand on some items.