Shopping at PriceRite (northeast stores)

[Cwadda]

Hi Folks,

Inspired by "Shopping at Aldi's" topic. I've been shopping at PriceRite for the majority of my life, same with my family. The store has locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia.

I'm not sure how the store quality varies from region to region, but I'm in CT and all of the ones I've been to are fantastic. They offer their own generic brand. If there's one in your area, you should check it out.

Pros:
-Excellent prices. They don't have on-sale items - the normal prices are mainly the on-sale prices you'd see a major supermarket.
-Off-brand items that are good. Some of my favorites are 24 oz salsa for $1.69, tastes no different than tostitos. Cottage cheese small curd for $1.99. Pretty much all cereals are $1.99. I've gotten so used to the generic brands.  I.e. I like their cottage cheese better than any other major brand.
-Produce is amazing!
-Environmentally friendly: you bring your own bags. I bring the cloth reusable bags that are good for several years. Or you can take the boxes from their shelves and recycle them afterward.

Cons
-They don't have a deli. They do sell pre-packaged meats and cheeses which are actually quite good and I've had no problems with.
-The meats in the past have been brands I'm not 100% comfortable with eating. But more recently they've been stocking Purdue and Tyson chicken.

Anyone else have anything to add?

[ZiziPB]

I have never shopped in one but there is one I can hit on my way home from work so I will check it out.  I have switched from Stop&Shop (very expensive although not Whole Food crazy expensive) to Aldi over the last year or two, so I will be curious how PriceRite compares.  I have to supplement Aldi with Trader Joe or S&S sometimes for produce and meat, so it's good to hear that PriceRite has a great produce dept.

[Cwadda]

I have never shopped in one but there is one I can hit on my way home from work so I will check it out.  I have switched from Stop&Shop (very expensive although not Whole Food crazy expensive) to Aldi over the last year or two, so I will be curious how PriceRite compares.  I have to supplement Aldi with Trader Joe or S&S sometimes for produce and meat, so it's good to hear that PriceRite has a great produce dept.

Definitely give it a try! There is also an Aldi in my area and I find PriceRite to be comparable in every way, plus the added benefits I mentioned.

[Lis]

Yay northeastern stores!

I've actually never heard of PriceRite. I do most of my food shopping at ShopRite (I've never seen lower prices on canned goods!). I grew up with the A&P, but they're pricey and now bankrupt. PriceChopper was big for me in college... all I know is they were cheaper and closer than the local Hannafords. I was JUST introduced to Trader Joe's (which is still too far away for me to shop regularly) but I love it.

No Aldi or PriceRite around me :(

[Cwadda]

Yay northeastern stores!

I've actually never heard of PriceRite. I do most of my food shopping at ShopRite (I've never seen lower prices on canned goods!). I grew up with the A&P, but they're pricey and now bankrupt. PriceChopper was big for me in college... all I know is they were cheaper and closer than the local Hannafords. I was JUST introduced to Trader Joe's (which is still too far away for me to shop regularly) but I love it.

No Aldi or PriceRite around me :(

ShopRite is actually related to PriceRite. I think ShopRite is good too, just a little bit higher up on the grocery store hierarchy. Yes, they have great prices on canned goods.

Another noteworthy thing is that I've seen both stores offer mystery shopping through Marketforce. So you get about $25 of free groceries that are already inexpensive to begin with.

[Lis]

Yay northeastern stores!

I've actually never heard of PriceRite. I do most of my food shopping at ShopRite (I've never seen lower prices on canned goods!). I grew up with the A&P, but they're pricey and now bankrupt. PriceChopper was big for me in college... all I know is they were cheaper and closer than the local Hannafords. I was JUST introduced to Trader Joe's (which is still too far away for me to shop regularly) but I love it.

No Aldi or PriceRite around me :(

ShopRite is actually related to PriceRite. I think ShopRite is good too, just a little bit higher up on the grocery store hierarchy. Yes, they have great prices on canned goods.

Another noteworthy thing is that I've seen both stores offer mystery shopping through Marketforce. So you get about $25 of free groceries that are already inexpensive to begin with.

No wonder their names are similar.

Thanks for the suggestion for Marketforce! Will have to look into that.

[ZiziPB]

Hey Cwadda, I went to PriceRite Friday after work.  Got a few items but all in all, I don't think I will be shopping there regularly.  I found the store disorganized and generally "hit or miss".  I couldn't find a number of basic items I had on my list (like plain greek yogurt or berries) but I did get some of my staples for a good price (olive oil, organic romaine lettuce).  Some of the produce was bad - for example, every single package of cherry tomatoes had spoilage.  Prices were good but not any better than at Aldi.  I would consider it if I didn't have other low price alternatives, but I think for now I will stick to Aldi.

BTW, I think I was the only white person in the entire store ;-)  It was interesting to see the variety of ethnicities of the shoppers, especially in comparison with my local Stop & Shop.

[Cwadda]

Hey Cwadda, I went to PriceRite Friday after work.  Got a few items but all in all, I don't think I will be shopping there regularly.  I found the store disorganized and generally "hit or miss".  I couldn't find a number of basic items I had on my list (like plain greek yogurt or berries) but I did get some of my staples for a good price (olive oil, organic romaine lettuce).  Some of the produce was bad - for example, every single package of cherry tomatoes had spoilage.  Prices were good but not any better than at Aldi.  I would consider it if I didn't have other low price alternatives, but I think for now I will stick to Aldi.

BTW, I think I was the only white person in the entire store ;-)  It was interesting to see the variety of ethnicities of the shoppers, especially in comparison with my local Stop & Shop.

I'm glad you gave it a shot!
I'd imagine there is a lot of variability between regions, different managers, etc. I can see how it could be hit or miss.