Can you really find what you need and save money at a small grocery store? Here is what I think.
When we first moved to this new town, I was on the lookout for the chain grocery store that I always shopped. I knew the prices, coupons policies and layout. So, when it came to shopping, we headed off to the closet location.
The store turned out to be a lot smaller than the one I was used to at our previous home. There was much less of a selection than I was used to. and because the aisle were smaller, they were laid out a little differently, with the pasta sauce in the same aisle as the cereal. After the first trip, I declared that this store wouldn’t be good enough at all. I couldn’t use about a third of my coupon and sales match ups, and the produce manager said that they don’t carry anything organic. Fortunately, the chain had a larger store, just a little farther away.
But guess what? I do actually shop at this small store most of the time, despite all of these issues. Here is why.
First of all, the smaller store is less crowded, so the shopping experience is more pleasant. Also, because of this, I can usually find what I need with the major loss leaders. At the larger store, for example, I need to be there Sunday early morning in order to take advantage of many buy one get one free sales. At the smaller store, there is always stock available.
Second, the smaller store is more friendly. We’ve gotten to know a lot of the managers, and they are willing to share upcoming deals or give us good prices on things that aren’t advertised. In the past, my kids have been given free balloons, free cookies and little gifts just for shopping there. Price adjustments are made quickly and pleasantly, in comparison to the larger store. I wind up saving more.
So, how do I get around the disadvantages of the smaller store? I buy my organics at either the local farmer’s market or another store. As for the coupon match ups, I find I can do without most of them. For a really good deal, such as free, I might shop at the larger store for that week only.
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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