Costco And Sam's Club Aren't Necessarily The Cheapest Warehouse Grocery Stores

With the price of food going up what feels like every other day, it's little shock that consumers are keen to find ways to save on groceries and other household essentials. For most Americans, that means shelling out for a membership to Sam's Club or Costco, the two big national warehouse chains. The debate over whether Sam's or Costco has better meat rages on, but one thing unites these competitors: bulk quantities and great per-unit prices. Turns out, however, that the Western part of the U.S. has been hiding a lesser-known chain that could seriously make a play for the discount warehouse crown. It's called WinCo, and it might be the best place to save dollars that you haven't visited yet.

WinCo operates 141 warehouses, all west of the Mississippi River. The bulk of the stores are located on the coast, with no fewer than 37 locations in California. Like Sam's and Costco, WinCo operates on a warehouse model, with items stacked toward high ceilings. It has both big-name and store brands, so you have options when you shop. What makes WinCo unique is its vast selection of bulk items, with over 800 by-the-pound SKUs including breakfast cereal, coffee, spices, and grains. Also unlike Sam's and Costco, WinCo is open to the public without the need for a paid membership. This means that, no matter what, you are already operating at a savings because you didn't need to spend any money to get in the door.

Unlike the most expensive grocery store in America, Erewhon, which offers lavish amenities like valet parking and the opportunity to buy $18 smoothies at the cold bar, WinCo is low on frills. The warehouses' aesthetic would be best described as "stark." It has zero advertising budget, relying on word-of-mouth to spread the gospel of its deals. You have to bag your own groceries, because the stores don't employ baggers. Meanwhile, you can't use your credit card, although the chain does let you pay with debit. Each of these choices helps WinCo cut costs so that it can pass the savings along to you. And like Costco, WinCo doesn't accept coupons. Instead, their warehouses are mostly open 24/7, so you can scoop up great bargains 'round the clock.

If you're the civic-minded type, you can also feel good about shopping at WinCo. The company is employee-owned, with all adult employees having the opportunity to become fully-vested stakeholders after they've worked a minimum amount of hours. That means that, instead of your hard-earned grocery budget going to faceless billionaires, the money you spend is more likely to stick around in your local community. If you are among the lucky portion of the country to have access to a WinCo, you might want to consider dropping in and determining whether you want to give up your other membership(s).