Grocery prices
#1
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 22
Grocery prices
I’ve noticed the cost of foods has became so much more expensive here in the US than UK. On a recent trip back to London, even waitrose prices are slightly cheaper than Walmart in LA, not to mention Tesco, ASDA, sainsburys and Morrison are roughly 20-30% cheaper on fresh produce such meat, milk, eggs, bread, cheese and fruit & veg than stater bros, ralphs or Albertsons. And for quality of food UK wins hands down, but it hasn’t always been the case, back in early 2000s it was the other way around, grocery was more expensive in Britain than America. I wonder why is it like that...
#2
Re: Grocery prices
I’ve noticed the cost of foods has became so much more expensive here in the US than UK. On a recent trip back to London, even waitrose prices are slightly cheaper than Walmart in LA, not to mention Tesco, ASDA, sainsburys and Morrison are roughly 20-30% cheaper on fresh produce such meat, milk, eggs, bread, cheese and fruit & veg than stater bros, ralphs or Albertsons. And for quality of food UK wins hands down, but it hasn’t always been the case, back in early 2000s it was the other way around, grocery was more expensive in Britain than America. I wonder why is it like that...
is it just lack of price regulation and greedy corporates?
#3
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#4
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Re: Grocery prices
If you think the prices in the US are high, you should see some of the prices we pay in Canada for basically the same products.
#5
Re: Grocery prices
Thanks to Brexit uncertainty the food prices have gone up in England too. “Small” shopping trips to Supermarket are often 50£ onwards.
#6
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Re: Grocery prices
#7
Re: Grocery prices
I’ve noticed the cost of foods has became so much more expensive here in the US than UK. On a recent trip back to London, even waitrose prices are slightly cheaper than Walmart in LA, not to mention Tesco, ASDA, sainsburys and Morrison are roughly 20-30% cheaper on fresh produce such meat, milk, eggs, bread, cheese and fruit & veg than stater bros, ralphs or Albertsons. And for quality of food UK wins hands down, but it hasn’t always been the case, back in early 2000s it was the other way around, grocery was more expensive in Britain than America. I wonder why is it like that...
Anyone who shops in Walmart deserves the crappy fruit and veggies they offer for sale.
#8
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Location: Athens GA
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Re: Grocery prices
#9
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Joined: Feb 2017
Location: Newnan, GA
Posts: 802
Re: Grocery prices
The thing that surprised me most here, and it shouldn't I guess, due to the scale, is the amount of fruit and veg that is in shops right on the edge of still being labeled as "Fresh". Many items barely make it the trip home, let alone last a few days, and yet Bread can survive a nuclear attack. I also struggle to get good quality chicken (or even the local unicorn for me of it being free range).
#11
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Re: Grocery prices
BC tends to have higher prices vs across the border, especially milk, cheese, eggs, butter which are big items people cross over to stock up on, even with the relatively poor exchange rate, many items are still cheaper across the border. The Bellingham, WA Costco gets to many Canadian's looking in their parking lot you would almost think you were in BC still. lol Oh and gas, many along the border cross over for gas too.
Some also go over for selection, way better selection in US grocery stores vs BC grocery stores, with many brands not available in BC, Tillamook is a popular cheese BC residents buy on the US side, no grocery store cheese comparable to it in BC, you can niche and speciality cheeses but talking about mainstream grocery store brands like Armstrong, Kraft, Western Family, Crackle Barrel and such.
Many things in Quebec seem cheaper vs rest of Canada, Quebec seems to be a unique place compared to rest of Canada when it comes to prices, and even housing, Montreal for a large city has pretty low rent compared to say pretty much anywhere in BC...lol
Some also go over for selection, way better selection in US grocery stores vs BC grocery stores, with many brands not available in BC, Tillamook is a popular cheese BC residents buy on the US side, no grocery store cheese comparable to it in BC, you can niche and speciality cheeses but talking about mainstream grocery store brands like Armstrong, Kraft, Western Family, Crackle Barrel and such.
Many things in Quebec seem cheaper vs rest of Canada, Quebec seems to be a unique place compared to rest of Canada when it comes to prices, and even housing, Montreal for a large city has pretty low rent compared to say pretty much anywhere in BC...lol
#14
Re: Grocery prices
Yes I noticed that too, I am in southern California. I thought California is the main supply of fresh veg and fruits for USA, so the price must be competitive - I was wrong.
Fresh veg and fruits cost more than UK for sure, milk and meat vary. I went to Wholefood Market - everything in there is so expensive. But I have found the local Asian supermarket has very good deals on vegetables.
I really miss Tesco and Waitrose - good choice of food ( not just from UK, also Europe, Asia) and reasonable prices. I must say I was a bit shocked the first week in US. Now I am slowly getting used to it...
On top of grocery, I found household items are also more expensive here. Target and Walmart are both more expensive than UK supermarkets.
Yes the old belief - 'things in US is so cheap' is really dated now. I must say the only thing cheap here is gasoline.
Fresh veg and fruits cost more than UK for sure, milk and meat vary. I went to Wholefood Market - everything in there is so expensive. But I have found the local Asian supermarket has very good deals on vegetables.
I really miss Tesco and Waitrose - good choice of food ( not just from UK, also Europe, Asia) and reasonable prices. I must say I was a bit shocked the first week in US. Now I am slowly getting used to it...
On top of grocery, I found household items are also more expensive here. Target and Walmart are both more expensive than UK supermarkets.
Yes the old belief - 'things in US is so cheap' is really dated now. I must say the only thing cheap here is gasoline.
#15
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 22
Re: Grocery prices
Is gasoline still cheaper though? Maybe in some gas stations like Costco or Arco
it costs me closer to $50 for a full tank and I drive a 4 years old Prius
it costs me closer to $50 for a full tank and I drive a 4 years old Prius