Which Supermarkets In Boise Are Really SUPER?
Albertsons? WinCo? Walmart? Ridleys? Fred Meyer? Which "Super" Market do you consider to really be super?
According to Google, The term Super Market came about after the Great Depression and is traced back to the Piggly Wiggly chain, where customers had self service options and could shop for all of their needs under one roof at discounted prices.
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That's obviously evolved a lot since then and has spawned the BIG discount warehouses Costco and Sam's Club, to name a few.
I still don't consider those Supermarkets, since I don't shop there for my weekly food and household products.
Still, they should be mentioned, if for nothing else than the Disneyland-like experience and euphoria you have while navigating the cavernous confines. And of course, the delicious discounted hot food they offer, and free food sample day!
What do I believe makes a supermarket truly Super? There are several factors beyond having one close by that play into this. But, here's a quick list: the brands I like, low prices, fresh produce and meat, clean, organized, friendly staff, and easy checkout!
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1. Albertson's - That's an easy one, since it was born right here in Boise. Arguably the standard for everything you expect in a grocery store. Presentation is clean and organized. Store flow is smooth. Grocery sections are clearly marked, easy to read, and easy to navigate.
Produce and meat are fresh and presented nicely. Employees are friendly and helpful. Checkout is quick and efficient. Prices, compared to other stores on this list, are a bit higher, but there are discounts if your phone number is in the system, like other stores.
2. WinCo - Many shoppers consider WinCo and Walmart interchangeable. I would disagree for several reasons. First, the store layout and presentation of WinCo definitely feel more warehouse-like with stacks of products and pallets of goods upon entering.
The food is presented in a more "bulk" way. There is an extensive bulk item section where you can bag up your favorite items from candy to rice, and you can also grind and bag your own coffee. The produce section has a farmer's market-like feel, and the meat is presented in typical butcher shop style, nothing fancy.
All aisles are well marked and stocked. Navigation is also easy. The employees are friendly and helpful. But it's the high discounted prices that keep families coming back to WinCo. Even if you have to bag your own groceries. *Personal note: I love using the old paper grocery bags they offer!
3. Fred Meyer - Personally, I find Fred Meyer to be the perfect blend of Albertson's quality and Walmart Prices. A happy medium in a generally happy place. I recall shopping there many years ago when they actually offered free childcare for your kids while you shopped! Could you imagine that now?
Wow. What I love about Fred Meyer is the layout. Half the store is clothing and fashion, then deli, bakery, a coffee shop, and pharmacy. That flows into produce and meat, frozen foods, then regular dry goods aisles, and finally into home goods and then outdoor and garden.
They also have a clean and organized presentation, and their employees are friendly and helpful as well. Maybe not my first choice, but definitely my second choice when choosing where to shop.
4. Walmart - Say what you will, but, whether you admit it or not, you most likely shop at Walmart. Maybe not all the time or for everything, but the selection and prices are hard to beat. And they are everywhere, and of course, they're all SUPER Walmart now, so they've even taken ownership of that title.
Dollar for dollar, item for item, there's a reason people shop there. And their curbside pickup, home delivery and discounts with Walmart + have taken them to the next level.
5. Ridley's Family Markets - This chain is a great combination of quality and value. Featuring fresh produce and meat, and an in-store pharmacy. Their prices are actually pretty close to Walmart and Winco on some things, and they offer additional discounts with their Rperks program.
And the fact that they have Family in their name means something to a lot of shoppers. That they understand and care about their customers, and it shows in their stores.
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Of course, all of the above Supermarket experiences have changed dramatically with apps, curbside pickup, and home delivery, but the expectations are the same for the customer. Quality, value, and service, and whoever does that best usually wins.
Happy shopping!
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