WSJ’s SmartMoney recently ran a report that compares prices of major grocery items between regular supermarket and major warehouse clubs: BJ, Costco and Sam’s Club. The price data was based on their visit to supermarkets or warehouse clubs based in New York, New Jersey area.
In summary, it’s pretty clear that 99% of the daily grocery items in Supermarket are sold cheaper in warehouse clubs, so that’s a win for warehouse clubs as a whole. Among them, however, there is no clear winner on an overall basis, since different clubs seem to have strength in different items.
Here is the result:
| Item | Supermarket | BJ’s | Costco | Sam’s Club |
|
Skim milk, one gallon
|
$3.29
|
$2.09
Savings: 36% |
$2.29
Savings: 30% |
$1.88
Savings: 43% |
|
Eggs, 1.5 dozen
|
$2.79
|
$2.99
Added cost: 7% |
$1.50
Savings: 46% |
$2.93
Added cost: 5% |
|
Strawberries, 2lbs.
|
$5.98
|
$3.99
Savings: 33% |
$3.50
Savings: 41% |
$3.48
Savings: 42% |
|
Bell peppers, six count
|
$2.97
(on sale) |
$5.99
Added cost: 102% |
$6.99
Added cost: 135% |
$5.88
Added cost: 98% |
|
Boneless, skinless
chicken breasts, 10lbs. |
$29.90
|
$22.29
Savings: 25% |
$29.90
No savings |
$19.70
Savings: 34% |
|
Skippy Creamy peanut
butter, two 40 oz. jars |
$14.26
|
$7.39
Savings: 48% |
$6.99
Savings: 51% |
$6.04
Savings: 58% |
|
Claritin allergy medication,
90-count (over-the-counter) |
$69.97
(after a $5 coupon) |
$29.99
(after a $5 coupon) Savings: 57% |
$34.49
Savings: 51% |
$31.74
Savings: 55% |
|
Lipitor 10mg cholesterol
pills, 90-count (prescription) |
$255.97
|
N/A
|
$259.79
Added cost: 2% |
$250.72
Savings: 2% |
|
Charmin Ultra Soft toilet
paper, 36 rolls |
$31.22
(after a 25-cent coupon) |
$18.74
(after a 25-cent coupon) Savings: 40% |
N/A
|
$17.88
Savings: 43% |
|
Tide Original liquid
detergent, 170oz. |
$31.93
(after a 35-cent coupon) |
$20.14
(after a 35-cent coupon) Savings: 37% |
$20.99
Savings: 34% |
$20.97
Savings: 34% |
|
Secret Invisible Solid women’s
deodorant, four-pack |
$20.96
(after a $1 coupon) |
$3.79
(after two $1 coupons) Savings: 81% |
N/A
|
$6.83
Savings: 67% |
|
Huggies Step 4
diapers, 176 count |
$71.11
(after a $1.50 coupon) |
$37.99
(after a $1.50 coupon) Savings: 47% |
$42.79
Savings: 40% |
$36.43
Savings: 49% |
|
Poland Spring
water, 35 bottles |
$10.19
|
$4.19
Savings: 59% |
$4.99
Savings: 51% |
N/A
|
|
Pepsi, 36 cans
|
$14.97
|
$9.49
Savings: 37% |
$9.49
Savings: 37% |
$9.10
Savings: 39% |
|
Folgers Classic Roast
ground coffee, 48oz. |
$17.72
(after a 50-cent coupon) |
$8.49
(after a 50-cent coupon) Savings: 52% |
$8.99
Savings: 49% |
$8.39
Savings: 53% |
|
Grey Goose
vodka, 1.75l |
$68.99
|
N/A
|
$59.99
Savings: 13% |
$57.82
Savings: 16% |
|
Purina Dog
Chow, 50lbs. |
$31.23
(after a $1.50 coupon) |
$21.49 (after a $1.50 coupon) Savings: 31%
|
N/A
|
$22.58
Savings: 27% |
