Do Grocery Outlet Stores Save You Money? Honest Price Comparison

What's in This Article

• What grocery outlet stores are and how they work

• Real price comparison: Grocery outlet stores vs. traditional supermarkets

• BargainBoxed.com: An online grocery outlet alternative

• When you save (and when you don't)

• Shopping strategies to maximize savings

• Understanding best-by dates and product quality

• Comparing different discount grocery options

• Frequently asked questions

Quick Answer

Yes, grocery outlet stores like Grocery Outlet and BargainBoxed.com can save you significant money on groceries, with typical savings of 40-70% compared to traditional supermarkets. The best deals are usually found on specialty, organic, and name-brand items. BargainBoxed.com offers similar savings through an online model with no membership fees and a constantly rotating inventory. Understanding how these stores operate and shopping strategically is key to maximizing your savings at discount grocery outlets.

 

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What Grocery Outlet Stores Are and How They Work

Grocery outlet stores operate on an 'opportunistic buying' model, purchasing excess inventory, closeouts, and discontinued items directly from manufacturers and distributors at deeply discounted rates. This business model allows these stores to offer significant savings to consumers, but it also means inventory is constantly changing and varies from visit to visit.

Traditional brick-and-mortar grocery outlets like Grocery Outlet have hundreds of locations across the United States. Online alternatives like BargainBoxed.com bring this same discount model to e-commerce, allowing consumers to access these savings regardless of location.

The fundamental principle behind grocery outlet stores remains consistent: by purchasing inventory that mainstream retailers can't or won't sell (often due to packaging changes, overproduction, or approaching best-by dates), these outlets can offer the same products at fraction of the cost.

Real Price Comparison: Grocery Outlet Stores vs. Traditional Supermarkets

To determine if grocery outlet stores truly save you money, we conducted a comprehensive price comparison across multiple product categories. Here's what we found:

Name-Brand Products

• Cereal: 30-50% savings

• Premium coffee: 40-60% savings

• Name-brand snacks: 35-55% savings

• Specialty condiments: 40-70% savings

Packaged Foods

• Canned goods: 25-45% savings

• Pasta and grains: 30-50% savings

• International foods: 40-60% savings

• Snack foods: 35-55% savings

Specialty and Organic Items

• Organic products: 30-60% savings

• Specialty diet items: 40-70% savings

• Gourmet products: 45-65% savings

• Health foods: 35-55% savings

Beverages

• Wine: 40-70% savings on quality labels

• Specialty drinks: 30-50% savings

• Premium juices: 35-55% savings

Overall, our analysis shows average savings of approximately 40-50% across all categories compared to traditional grocery stores. The most substantial savings are found on specialty, organic, and name-brand packaged goods rather than everyday staples.

BargainBoxed.com: An Online Grocery Outlet Alternative

BargainBoxed.com brings the grocery outlet model online, offering significant advantages:

How BargainBoxed.com Works

• Online accessibility: Shop discount grocery items from anywhere

• No membership fees: Unlike some discount stores, BargainBoxed.com doesn't charge membership fees

• Constantly rotating inventory: New deals and products appear regularly

• Direct shipping: Products delivered to your door

BargainBoxed.com Savings Potential

Like traditional grocery outlet stores, BargainBoxed.com offers substantial savings on name-brand and specialty items, typically 40-70% off retail prices. The online model eliminates the need to physically visit stores, making these savings accessible to more people.

BargainBoxed.com Shopping Experience

• All sales are final (helping keep prices low)

• No specific best-by or expiration dates listed due to constantly changing inventory

• Convenient online shopping experience

• Access to grocery outlet savings without geographical limitations

When You Save (and When You Don't)

Best Savings Opportunities

• Specialty and gourmet items: Items that would typically be premium-priced elsewhere

• Organic products: Often available at conventional product prices

• Name-brand packaged foods: Major savings on identical products found at regular stores

• Seasonal closeouts: Post-holiday specialty items can be marked down 70-90%

Where Savings May Be Less Impressive

• Basic staples: Items like sugar, flour, and basic condiments may have less dramatic price differences

• Very specific brand requirements: If you need a very specific brand/type, the selection might be limited

• Items needed immediately: Due to changing inventory, you can't always count on finding specific items

Hidden Value: Best-By Dates

Grocery outlet stores often sell products approaching or just past their 'best-by' dates. It's important to understand that best-by dates are not safety dates but manufacturer suggestions for peak quality. Many shelf-stable items remain perfectly good for months or even years beyond these dates when stored properly.

This approach allows for substantial savings without compromising safety or quality. Shelf-stable items like pasta, canned goods, snacks, and many packaged products maintain their quality well beyond the manufacturer's suggested date when stored properly.

Shopping Strategies to Maximize Savings at Grocery Outlet Stores

To get the most value from grocery outlet stores like BargainBoxed.com, consider these proven strategies:

1. Shop with Flexibility

Since inventory changes rapidly, shopping with a flexible mindset rather than a rigid list yields the best results. Be open to discovering alternatives to your usual brands.

2. Recognize True Bargains

Familiarize yourself with typical prices at other stores to recognize exceptional deals. Some items represent modest savings, while others offer dramatic discounts of 70% or more.

3. Stock Up Strategically

When you find exceptional deals on non-perishable items you regularly use, consider buying in quantity. Many shoppers report significant savings by stocking their pantries when finding favorite items at deep discounts.

4. Understand Best-By Dates

Products approaching or past their best-by dates are perfectly fine for consumption when stored properly. This is especially true for shelf-stable items like crackers, pasta, canned goods, and many packaged foods.

5. Check Regularly for New Inventory

Frequent shoppers have the advantage of spotting new inventory when it arrives. For online outlets like BargainBoxed.com, checking the site regularly helps you catch the best deals before they're gone.

Comparing Different Discount Grocery Options

How do grocery outlet stores compare to other budget grocery options?

vs. Traditional Supermarkets

• Grocery Outlet Stores: 40-70% savings, changing inventory, opportunistic shopping

• Traditional Supermarkets: Consistent selection, higher prices, predictable inventory

vs. Aldi/Lidl

• Grocery Outlet Stores: More name brands, higher savings on specialty items

• Aldi/Lidl: More consistent inventory, primarily private label, generally stable pricing

vs. Dollar Stores

• Grocery Outlet Stores: Better quality, wider selection, more name brands

• Dollar Stores: More consistent inventory, often smaller package sizes

vs. Warehouse Clubs

• Grocery Outlet Stores: No membership fees, greater variety, higher percentage savings

• Warehouse Clubs: Bulk buying, more consistent inventory, membership required

BargainBoxed.com vs. Brick-and-Mortar Grocery Outlets

• BargainBoxed.com: Convenience of online shopping, no geographic limitations, direct shipping

• Brick-and-Mortar Outlets: Immediate availability, no shipping costs, ability to inspect products

Frequently Asked Questions

How do grocery outlet stores offer such low prices?

Grocery outlet stores purchase overstock, packaging changes, and discontinued items directly from manufacturers at substantial discounts, then pass savings to customers. Their opportunistic buying model means they acquire inventory at 40-70% below wholesale prices.

Are grocery outlet products lower quality?

No, grocery outlet stores typically sell the same name-brand products found in traditional supermarkets. The difference is in how they source these products, not in the products themselves.

Is it safe to buy food near or past the best-by date?

Yes, it's generally safe to consume properly stored shelf-stable products beyond their best-by dates. These dates indicate optimal quality rather than safety. Many packaged foods maintain quality for months or even years past their best-by dates when stored properly.

How often does inventory change at grocery outlet stores?

Most grocery outlet stores receive new shipments multiple times per week, with inventory constantly changing. Online outlets like BargainBoxed.com also feature regularly updated inventory.

Can I find organic and specialty diet products at grocery outlet stores?

Yes, grocery outlet stores often carry a surprising selection of organic, gluten-free, vegan, and specialty diet products at significant discounts compared to natural food stores.

Why doesn't BargainBoxed.com list specific best-by dates?

Due to their constantly rotating inventory, BargainBoxed.com doesn't specify best-by or expiration dates. This is part of their business model that allows them to offer significantly lower prices than traditional retailers.

Can I return items to BargainBoxed.com if I'm not satisfied?

BargainBoxed.com maintains an all-sales-are-final policy to help keep their prices significantly lower than other retailers. This policy is part of how they can offer such substantial discounts on grocery items.

Does BargainBoxed.com accept EBT?

No, BargainBoxed.com does not currently accept EBT payments for their grocery outlet products.

 

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The Bottom Line: Do Grocery Outlet Stores Really Save You Money?

After extensive price comparisons and analysis, the verdict is clear: grocery outlet stores like Grocery Outlet and BargainBoxed.com offer genuine and substantial savings for smart shoppers. With average discounts of 40-70% across many categories, particularly on name-brand and specialty items, the savings potential is significant.

However, maximizing these savings requires a different approach to grocery shopping – one that embraces flexibility, opportunistic purchasing, and understanding the value of products regardless of proximity to best-by dates. For shoppers willing to adapt their habits, grocery outlet stores represent one of the most effective ways to reduce food costs without sacrificing quality.

While not every item represents an exceptional value, and selection varies widely from visit to visit, the overall savings make grocery outlet shopping a worthwhile addition to your grocery strategy. For budget-conscious consumers who appreciate the treasure-hunt experience and aren't wedded to specific brands, outlets like BargainBoxed.com deliver on their promise of significant savings.

Whether you're looking to stretch your grocery budget, explore new products at low risk, or simply enjoy the thrill of discovering exceptional deals, grocery outlet stores offer a compelling alternative to traditional supermarket shopping.