If you shop at one or both of these stores, you probably want to know which one is actually the cheaper option when comparing the two. They're owned by the same company, but they do have different concepts when it comes to purchasing items --which can affect the price.
*Below are examples of real data proof that I pulled off of my receipts after shopping at Sam's Club and Wal-Mart for the exact same items.
*Disclaimer: All prices are rounded to the nearest nickel cent.
(For example, if it was $5.44, I rounded it to $5.45. If it was $2.98, I rounded it to $3.)
# Purchased | Quantity of item | Item Name | Cost |
1 | 2 pack | Tostito chips | $6 |
1 | (large) Bag | Shredded lettuce | $2 |
1 | 18 count | Eggs (cage free) | $3.20 |
1 | 2 pack | Cereal (Kashi) | $7.90 |
1 | 2 pack | 2-in-1 (S&C) Head & Shoulders | $13 |
1 | 3 count | Bell peppers | $7 |
1 | 2 count (64 oz) | Butter (Smart Balance) | $6.80 |
1 | Gallon | Drink powder (Gatorade) | $9.50 |
1 | 8 cans | Black beans | $4.90 |
1 | 8 cans | Corn | $5.90 |
1 | 16 count | Granola bars (Nature Valley) | $9 |
1 | 5 cans | Chicken breast | $10 |
1 | 12 count | Gum (Orbit) | $8.70 |
1 | 2 pack (48 oz each) | Chicken broth | $6.50 |
1 | 2 pack (large) | Half & half | $3 |
1 | 3 pack (half gallons) | Soy milk (Silk) | $7 |
1 | Pack (40 oz) | Whole coffee beans | $16 |
1 | 20 count | Gum (Wrigleys) | $7.15 |
1 | Gallon | 2% Milk | $2.35 |
# Purchased | Quantity of item | Item Name | Cost |
1 | Box | Cereal (Kashi) | $3 |
1 | 6 count | Granola bars (Nature Valley) | $3 |
1 | Bag | Chips (Tostito) | $3 |
1 | Bottle | 2-n-1 S&C, head and shoulders | $5 |
1 | 51 oz | Drink powder (Gatorade) | $8.40 |
1 | 1 can | corn | $0.70 |
1 | 48 oz box | Chicken broth | $4 |
1 | 4 count | Gum (Wrigleys) | $2.25 |
1 | 3 count | Gum (orbit) | $2.25 |
1 | 12 oz | Whole coffee beans | $5 |
1 | (small) bag | Shredded lettuce | $2 |
1 | 18 count | Eggs (not cage-free) | $3 |
1 | Count | Bell pepper | $1.60 |
1 | 15 oz | Butter | $3 |
1 | Can | Black beans | $0.90 |
1 | Can | Chicken breast | $2 |
1 | ½ gallon | Soy milk | $2.40 |
1 | 1 quart | Half & half | $2.70 |
1 | Gallon | 2% Milk | $3 |
The Comparison:
- Cereal: same price, or cheaper at Wal-Mart
- Snack bars: same price or cheaper at Sam’s
- Chips: same price
- Shampoo/conditioner: cheaper at Wal-Mart
- Canned veggies: same price or cheaper at Sam’s
- Canned meat: cheaper at Sam’s
- Chicken broth: cheaper at Sam’s
- Gum: cheaper at Sam’s
- Whole coffee beans: same price or cheaper at Sam’s
- Lettuce: cheaper at Sam’s (larger quantity size)
- Eggs: cheaper at Wal-Mart (but not "cage-free" eggs)
- Milk/Half & Half: cheaper at Sam’s
- Bell peppers: cheaper at Wal-Mart
- Butter: cheaper at Sam’s (larger quantity size)
Tally It Up (Who had the Cheaper Price):
Sams: 6
Both/Depends: 5
DIY:
Want to find out for yourself which one is the cheaper place to shop at for you?
Here's how:
If the stores are near each other, you can shop for specific items at each one (whichever has the cheaper price option). Most Wal-Mart and Sam's stores vary in prices.
Check it out for yourself, or take my word for it.
Sam's is most likely going to be cheaper in the long run for your groceries....but BEWARE: only buy things in bulk at Sam's if they will get eaten before the expiration date, if they get consumed often/fast, or if they are pantry and freezer items that will last a long time. Otherwise, you will waste a lot of money when your food becomes spoiled before you can eat it all!
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