According to a recent AP poll, 53% of adults reported that the cost of groceries is a major source of stress in their lives. So, I asked ChatGPT which grocery stores I should avoid. Some of the AI engine’s answers were expected, such as Whole Foods. Others, however, were regional grocery store chains with cult followings.
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While price is an important consideration, what ChatGPT’s results showed me overall is that atmosphere and culture play a big role in how much customers spend at the grocery store. Offering specialty foods, a cafe, hot meal options and friendly staff can all encourage customers to spend more.
Here are the three main grocery stores ChatGPT recommended avoiding for customers who don’t want to spend top dollar on groceries.
Erewhon
Erewhon is a family-owned, high-end grocery store located in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. More than a grocery store, Erewhon is a status symbol. Products that Erewhon frequently sells often make headlines and appear on social media. Just this year, a journalist published an article in article in The Guardian about a single strawberry that sells for $20.
Part of why Erewhon prices are high is the company only sells premium-quality food that meets rigorous standards, such as being certified organic and fair trade. While their standards are admirable, purchasing organic, fair-trade or locally sourced products at other grocery stores likely will not cost as much.
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Whole Foods
Colloquially, many people refer to Whole Foods as “Whole Paycheck” because its prices are so high. However, since Amazon acquired Whole Foods in 2017, the grocer has reported lowering prices on 25% of items. Still, when comparing the cost of organic produce at Whole Foods with other grocery store chains, such as Aldi, Whole Foods is more expensive.
To save money at Whole Foods, customers can take advantage of sales, utilize their Prime membership for additional savings, and avoid adding extras to their cart.
Wegmans
Wegmans is a family-owned grocery chain with stores in nine states. Part of what makes Wegmans exceptional is the design of each store. Each food display is beautiful and captivating, but the downside is that it’s very easy to add extra food to your cart. Prices at Wegmans are usually more expensive than those at Aldi or Walmart, but less than those at Whole Foods.
However, all their prepared foods, hot food bars and towering cheese displays make it hard for shoppers to stay disciplined when walking through the store. For that reason, if you’re on a budget, shop at a store that isn’t so visually appealing.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked ChatGPT Which Grocery Stores Cost More Money — Here’s What It Said
