Do you have a favorite grocery store? Plenty of people do, and Whole Foods certainly has many devotees. It's widely popular among people seeking organic, all-natural products. Since Amazon acquired the company back in 2017, it's become more accessible than ever, both online and in physical locations. You can still shop many of their products even if you don't have a local Whole Foods store available! That alone makes it worth looking into.
But how does Whole Foods stack up against your budget? If you're taking a trip for the first time, it may seem a bit more expensive than certain other chains. You're looking at mainly organic and all-natural foods, after all, which tend to come in at a higher price point. However, there are still plenty of ways to save money, shop healthy, and eat great! Just follow the tips below to finish off your shopping list and learn why Whole Foods gives other grocery stores a run for their money.
Remember Your Coupons
Coupons are a fantastic way to start saving money at any store, and Whole Foods Market is no different. While this story doesn't carry a lot of familiar brands, since it focuses on organic food, you'll still be able to snag a few manufacturer coupons. For instance, the store sells some major brands like Simply, so make sure you print or clip any applicable coupons and bring them in.
You can even combine manufacturer coupons with store coupons, although there's a limit of one of each. Specific coupon rules may vary by location, but rest assured that there are discounts out there!
Buy in Bulk
Whole Foods has an excellent bulk section. You can find nuts, beans, snacks, rice, other grains, and more! The store provides containers, if necessary, but you can save a bit on your end total if you bring your own containers to the bulk bins. When you're looking to save, every cent counts, even if you're just shaving a nickel off your weekly trail mix snack.
Bring Your Own Bags
Speaking of containers, Whole Foods actively rewards shoppers who bring their reusable shopping bags! In most locations, you'll receive ten cents off your purchase for every bag you bring. Those savings add up if you're doing a big shopping run. If you have ten bags worth of groceries, you've saved a whole dollar off your total - all while shopping more sustainably and doing something good for the environment. That's a win all around.
Sign Up for Amazon Prime
As mentioned above, Amazon purchased the Whole Foods Market chain in 2017. It's probably no surprise that there's been a lot of integration since then. Prime members can look forward to significant savings.
- Extra savings (up to 10%) for items marked with certain sale signs
- Prime Members using their Amazon Visa bump that up to 5% cashback
- Special deals on items marked as Prime Member Deals
- Free grocery pick-up and delivery
If you're not a Prime member when you walk through the doors, it only takes a minute to sign up. Amazon Prime offers plenty of ways to save (on more than your grocery shopping trip), so it's worth spending a little upfront for a long list of discounts!
To access some of the exclusive Prime Member discounts, you'll need to download the Amazon-Whole Foods app. You'll receive a special code to scan at checkout and get your deals right away.
Don't Miss the Big Sales
Whole Foods holds major sales at certain times of the year. If you're a fan of their beauty products, for instance, you can get significant discounts during Beauty Week. Some items are discounted as much as 33%, according to the 2023 Beauty Week prices. Those are some major savings, all on products that tend to last a long time!
Get The Weekly Deals
The weekly ad is the best place to find all the current, ongoing deals. You can find it online by searching your local store on the Whole Foods website or grabbing the weekly Whole Foods deal book when you hit the store. It's often easier to budget by preparing ahead of time and checking ongoing discounts with any coupons you might have, your shopping needs, or even comparing prices to other stores, but sometimes it's great just to grab the ad and take a walk through the store!
New weekly sales start on Wednesdays, so you'll always know ahead of time when to prepare!
Know the Right Items
If you prefer to bounce between stores to get the very best deals, it's a good idea to know which items are most worth buying at Whole Foods. Fortunately, there are plenty of them - especially if you plan to buy organic or all-natural wherever you go. Here's a look at some of the most popular (and savings-friendly) items for this chain.
- The 365 brand - Whole Foods has its own brand, called 365, that offers fantastic prices on many items. From natural animal crackers to Greek yogurt, find a little bit of everything under the 365 umbrella. Shopping the store brand is always a great way to get a lower price, and it'll certainly help you save money at Whole Foods.
- Frozen veggies - Buying frozen vegetables and fruits tends to be less wasteful than reaching for fresh produce, although both the fresh and frozen varieties at Whole Foods are high-quality.
- Salad bar - Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or need a few specific ingredients for a recipe but don't want to buy an entire package, the salad bar at Whole Foods offers a stellar selection. You'll find nuts, seeds, greens, an entire rainbow's worth of vegetable choices, protein options, and much more.
- Hot bar - Just like the salad bar, there's an excellent hot bar with selections like pizza, roasted chicken, roasted vegetables, and other delicious options. You can usually snag a slice of pizza for around $4, though prices vary depending on location.
Keep the Kids Happy
They say to never shop when you're hungry, but shopping with a hungry kid is a special kind of "no." Fortunately, Whole Foods has you covered. The Whole Foods Kids Club lets you pick up a snack when you shop with your child (for kids aged 12 and under).
Snacks may include things like a complimentary organic apple, a banana, fruit leather, or whatever your local store has to offer. Just stop by customer service when you get to the store and let your little one snack while you both shop!
Conclusion
If you're looking for top-quality organic food at affordable prices, Whole Foods is one of the best options out there. There are so many ways to save that it's hard not to leave with your cart full of treats.
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