Do You Think Groceries at (Super) Target Are Expensive?

Updated on August 16, 2011
M.T. asks from Saint Paul, MN
22 answers

Hi, we've been mostly using Target and super Target for our groceries (as well as other necessities like toilet paper) - it's been convenient, but we're starting to wonder if things are overpriced at (super) Target compared to regular grocery stores (Cub Foods and Rainbow in Saint Paul, MN here). I've been meaning to comparison shop for a while, but haven't been able to. I don't have much chance to go to Cub/Ranbow, and when I go, I forget to check the prices so I can compare with Target, etc. Then I wondered, probably budget/price savvy moms have already done the comparison. If you have compared prices at Target and regular grocery stores (not high end places e.g., Lunds, Kowalsky's in Minnesota), please let me know what you found out.

Thank you!

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L.K.

answers from Kansas City on

I don't buy many 'fresh' groceries such as produce, bread and meat from Target. But will buy toiletries, paper goods and cleaning supplies. As well as other things like bedding, clothes, etc.

I have a Walmart and Target, literally right across the street from each other. from my experience and my comparison shopping, Walmart is usually just a penny or two, SERIOUSLY, cheaper than Target. So in my opinion, the cleanliness of the store, employees and customers is worth it for me!
Plus, as someone said, the quality seems to be much better.

2 moms found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

If I shopped at Jewel for regular groceries, I would consider it to be pretty much in line with everything. But I shop some Centrella stores and Target is a lot more expensive. I mainly buy things on sale at Target and get the majority of stuff at the local grocer. Sometimes Target will have an awesome deal but overall the grpcery at my local store is cheaper so totally worth comparing prices.

2 moms found this helpful

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S.H.

answers from Chicago on

Ours is less expensive than the local grocery stores (Dominick's, Jewel). Plus, it is just plain old convenient to go there & shop for everything I need in one trip.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

IN our area, Target is more expensive for groceries. But many other items are reasonable. I read somewhere that convenience shopping like Super Walmarts and Super Targets actually cost you more money. You rarely go in for just groceries. You remember this item or that item. You find a shirt you "must" have. It is rare to go to a large box store and come out with only the items you went in for. I think about that every time I go to a place like that. It's going to vary from area to area, but it's probably worth visiting a regular grocery store. The type of food you shop for will also make a difference. If you don't want to compare item by item, a small trip or two should give you a good general idea about the cost comparison.

1 mom found this helpful

M..

answers from Detroit on

Mine is currently going super, so Im not sure yet. But I do know my grocery store prices like the back of my hand, and Target's cereal is ALWAYS cheaper than my grocery store. I cannot wait for them to get produce, I hope is comparible or even cheaper.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Here Super Target is almost always cheaper than my grocery store. I don't have good grocery store options near me and although the super Target isn't that close either, I will sometimes go there and stock up! Just last week I probably got 8lbs of meat for like $5...it was awesome and the checker was totally laughing at me but I was thrilled! I don't usually find deals quite that cheap, but they were having a sale on some of the meats that had to be sold that day and I was happy to buy it and put it in my freezer! I also find that the healthier and organic options are very reasonably priced there and their store brand (Archer Farms) is awesome! Wal Mart is the cheapest I've seen but I have a thing against Wal Mart and I don't like to shop there if I don't have to. Additionally, I agree that our Targets are always much cleaner and much more friendly than the Wal Marts.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.Y.

answers from New York on

I'm not in your area so that may make a difference. In my area (Northeast) Target is comparable to the grocery store on most things but my grocery store has better selection on meat and produce. We also have a seasonal farmer's market and various other stores with better quality but more expensive produce. I like the Target store brand for paper goods and such. Some Archer Farms foods I like but not all. My local grocery has better organic milk at about the same price. Trader Joe's is good price and quality if you have it near you. I have read a comparison article online that Target and Walmart on average are pretty close in price. I rarely ever go to Walmart--I hate that they underpay their workers and discriminate against women.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I think it's a matter of perception. Target is a nicer store than WalMart so people assume WalMart is cheaper. As for comparing to your local stores, I have no idea.
As for Target vs. Wally World...same basically, price-wise.
You can use www.couponmom.com to get the % sales in your area for your local stores (Target too!) so you can at least comparison shop the sales.....

1 mom found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from El Paso on

I find that while Target IS (on the whole) more expensive, most of the products are higher quality. Also, if you buy the Target brands (Market Pantry and Up & Up) you'll get the stuff for cheaper. The biggest difference I've noticed is in the produce section. The produce section of my regular grocery store is unreliable in terms of quality, but I am always able to find good/great quality produce at my SuperTarget. When I lived in Arizona, I went to Fry's as opposed to Target. They were a REALLY nice grocery store with high quality produce like Target, but they had a free "membership" card that got you extra discounts and they ALWAYS had great sales going on.

I do buy almost ALL of my clothes at Target, though.... :)

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

I NEVER buy groceries at Target. I shop at Kroger and save so much money! Sometimes I buy groceries at Walmart, but it's so huge that I always end up leaving things out and they don't do double/triple coupons like Kroger does.
The one thing that I have found though is that their (Targets) contact solution is good and really really cheap.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I like Target and I don't find it expensive. Target has higher quality than Walmart. I boycott Walmart and I'll go out of my way to not go to Walmart.

I occasionally shop Target for toiletries and will stick up on food items if there is a deal.

I do tend to shop at Market Street most often, especially for fresh produce. Market Street is not cheap but they do have high end products and I buy quality. I don't go cheap.

That said, yes Target is very reasonable!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from New York on

I'm in CT. Our area does not have a Super Target, but all Targets just started carrying groceries within the past month. Some of their grocery items are very pricy and they don't have a large selection. I'll continue to buy the same things I have in the past, shampoos, toothpaste, cleaning products, cereal, but I'll stick to my grocery store.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I was just having this same discussion with my husband. I think that Target can be priced a bit higher than other stores, but the real problem with Target in my opinion, is that I get sucked into that place! Unless I go in with a very specific list of things that we need, I end up leaving with things that I really don't need.

The last few weeks I have been doing a lot of shopping online. When I stay out of Target, it's a good thing =) I've been shopping on Alice.com and Amazon.com for household items. I've DEFINITELY been saving money. Most importantly, I've been able to avoid the temptation of the kids department at Target (they have the cutest kids clothing) and other items that we don't really need.

I've also been doing my grocery shopping online at Safeway.com. I like that I can pick everything we need and I don't have to shop in a hurry. Do you have any grocery delivery in your area? It's great...

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Houston on

I love to shop at Target but have wondered the same thing! :) Walmart is probably cheaper, but usually not worth the crowds to me. Glad u asked this, can't wait to read answers! :)

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Well it would take me 45-60 minutes depending on traffic to get to target but only 10-15 to get to walmart. The savings on gas alone would make walmart cheaper but i don't buy much there for groceries.

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I don't buy food at target, but I do buy just about everything else. I love target and have never thought they were expensive. I once had an X friend tell me that I was a spoiled brat for shopping at target rather than walmart, lol! The walmart near where I used to live was a complete dive! It was so bad you had to plug your nose when you went in there. Horribly disgusting and I could not shop there.

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C.R.

answers from Kansas City on

If you get their store coupons and combine them with regular coupons, it is not expensive. My cousin has saved over $200 shopping at Target that way. I personally do not have the time or patience to do that, but I guess that is the difference between one kid and three! :)

S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

I think things like paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc are cheaper at walmart, but the quality is better at Target. As for groceries I think they are similar in most things to the grocery store, but walmart is a bit cheaper. I usually end up going to walmart simply because they are open later and have more of a variety of things...but i do hate walmart, with a passion, they are rude, and there are never enough check-out lanes open. I think that for the little extra you pay for the Target Brand of paper products etc that is evens out because you use a little less than of the walmart brand.

A.G.

answers from Houston on

yes......FAR too expensive.

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N.T.

answers from Chicago on

yes, i have compared Target with few stores..Walmart is cheaper in few things.

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

I think ANY targets exspensive!!

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

I love Target because you can get all sorts of things there. Also in my area, it is a lot cleaner than Walmart. But it is expensive...I was just noticing that the other day. They don't have the coupons and sales that our regular grocery stores have and the meat especially is so high. I am thinking of making 2 trips per week, one for meat (on sale) and one to Target.

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