Grocery shopping can sometimes feel like running a gauntlet of ever-changing prices.
Scott Sharpe
ssharpe@newsobserver.com
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Price Check: Your guide to the Triangle’s grocery stores and warehouse clubs
Read The News & Observer for tips and advice to make the best choices while shopping for groceries — and more — at traditional grocers and wholesale clubs in North Carolina.
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The News & Observer visited 12 major grocery stores in Raleigh this September, price-checking 30 items across stores to see where shoppers can find the best value.
We only compared regular prices, but rewards programs and store sales can help shoppers reduce costs every time they shop.
Grocery store rewards programs
Many of the grocery stores The News & Observer price checked displayed sale prices in addition to regular prices. Some sales are locked into the price at checkout while others require a loyalty number to unlock more savings.
Of the stores checked, Target, Lidl, Publix, Food Lion, Lowes Food and Wegmans offer free access to their loyalty programs. Some, like Trader Joe’s, don’t have a set program to offer all customers deals, or they have tiered memberships that may or may not have a free option.
Here’s a roundup of store deals and loyalty programs to help you shop more affordably.
ALDIThis store doesn’t offer memberships. Instead, customers can shop extra deals in their Weekly ALDI Finds and weekly ads, updated on Wednesday.The website also features items with price drops and a look at upcoming weekly finds ahead of time. The finds range from seasonal decor and foods to everyday items like clothes and bedding.Carlie C’sThis North Carolina-based grocery retailer has Carlie C’s Family Rewards loyalty program. A free membership unlocks access to promotions, additional deals and digital coupons.Updated on Wednesdays, this store also offers weekly ads for customers to shop deals.Food LionIn addition to their free MVP loyalty rewards program, this grocery store allows customers to shop & earn money toward their groceries. Continued shopping builds additional discounts.Food Lion releases weekly deals on Wednesday for all customers regardless of membership.Harris TeeterThis store offers weekly deals for all customers, updating on Wednesdays. The website also has a free VIC loyalty program that comes with digital coupons and additional savings on food and fuel.Harris Teeter also has HT Plus that bundles Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ with annual paid membership for $69 or $99 annually.LidlLidl transitioned to a new free loyalty program on July 1. Shoppers download the app, register and earn points toward discounts.The store’s weekly ads are updated on Wednesday.Lowes FoodPublixThe free Club Publix membership lets shoppers clip digital coupons and shop deals. Customers create an account, add their phone number and receive weekly sales and deals tailored to shopping habits.They also have weekly ads that update on Wednesday and extra savings that last for two weeks at a time.TargetThis store has Target Circle and Target 360 with separate perks for members. Target Circle is free while Target 360 costs $99 a year. Both rewards options offer customers discounts, while Target 360 includes free shipping and same-day delivery.Target also provides customers with weekly ads that update on Sundays.WalmartA Walmart+ membership costs $98 annually. The program offers Burger King savings, auto care, early access to deals, free delivery, free pharmacy delivery, free shipping, Walmart+ Travel and video streaming choice.Walmart does not offer a free membership for additional savings. It also does not release a weekly ad.WegmansWegmans’ Shoppers Club includes digital coupons, up-to-the-minute product recall alerts, personal shopping recommendations and free pharmacy delivery.This store offers weekly ads through secondary grocery retailers like Flipp and Instacart. Some deals need a loyalty card to be accessed.Wholesale club memberships
Paid grocery store memberships can be a splurge for some families, while others say it helps them save a lot of money.
For their lowest-level annual memberships, Sam’s Club costs $50, BJ’s costs $60 and Costco costs $65.
“A Sam’s Club membership is worth it for the prices,” Robyn Minyard said in a local Walmart. “They have good quality food and good prices on toilet paper and paper towels. You can also save on gas.”
Andrew Clagon also shops at Sam’s Club but feels like it is only sometimes worth it. “It really only helps if you’re buying in bulk,” he said.
Organic grocers
Organic grocery stores also provide rewards for customers when affordability can price some shoppers out. Sprouts offers a loyalty program through their app, and Whole Foods uses Amazon Prime for their customer rewards and loyalty programs.
We hope to price check wholesale clubs and organic grocers in the future.
This story was originally published September 17, 2026 at 5:30 AM.
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