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I have crap for groceries in my area. I typically go to Stop and Shop, because it's "there" and it meets most of my day to day needs. Occasionally I'll drive out of my way to either Wegman's or Market Basket and where they have better prices and/or variety, but that's maybe once or twice a month when I happen to be in one of those areas for some other reason. And while I'll make a point of "stocking up" on those trips, still probably 80% of my groceries are bought at mediocre S&S because "convenience" is such a huge factor for most of us (in other words, there's a pretty low tolerance for how far we'll go out of our way for these day to day food needs). These "stock up trips" aren't going to keep the place in business, especially a place like Wegman's where much of their profit comes from the prepared/to go items (that's where they "get" you").
Yeah, but if you were close to Wegman's probably you would just go there every time. Those are the people I was talking about. I don't have grocery stores close by so I go to the most convenient but if I were in a more urban area I would probably do my weekly grocery shopping in the one I think is best (for me) rather than the one that is simply closer.
The produce at Wegman's isn't much different than Trader Joe's or Market Basket IMO, just more expensive. Whole Foods is even more expensive.
Trader Joe's? Produce??? It's a little higher than MB (although generally better variety especially on the organic side), while things like their organic line are significantly less than both WF and S&S. And MUCH fresher than S&S.
Parking and getting to/from the car at Natick was always a pain. And that's to say nothing of navigating in/out of the mall. That level of difficulty may be tolerated (expected even) at an urban store, but it's tough to compete in the suburbs when most nearby supermarkets have standard parking lots with easy in/out access. I love Wegmans, but if I've needed a supermarket in that area, I'd go to Roche or Stop and Shop just because it's less work.
Agreed. I remember getting lost there back before GPS and smart phones were common. It was a nightmare trying to even get into the mall parking lot. I missed a turn once and had to drive 2 miles just to make a U turn. It was also a nightmare going anywhere in that area like Jordan's Furniture or the all you can eat sushi restaurant.
Yeah, but if you were close to Wegman's probably you would just go there every time. Those are the people I was talking about. I don't have grocery stores close by so I go to the most convenient but if I were in a more urban area I would probably do my weekly grocery shopping in the one I think is best (for me) rather than the one that is simply closer.
I don't really do "weekly trips". But if I was the sort of person who made one major shopping trip on the weekend, there's no way I would be going anywhere near the Natick Mall (unless I lived in one of those condos on site).
Agreed. I remember getting lost there back before GPS and smart phones were common. It was a nightmare trying to even get into the mall parking lot. I missed a turn once and had to drive 2 miles just to make a U turn. It was also a nightmare going anywhere in that area like Jordan's Furniture or the all you can eat sushi restaurant.
My point. It's a PITA to get to from no matter where you live, that isn't one of the condos AT the mall.
What do people like so much about Wegman's? The quality? The experience? The scenary?
In my 20's/early 30's I was kind of mesmerized by these swanky high end grocery stores...but I also don't like to overpay for things and I found that was often what was happening. Once you're home and you have the stuff put away, for me it really doesnt matter if it's Stop N shop, Big Y, Prevites, Roche Bros, Brothers, Fruit center whatever. There are times I might want some specialty items that a stop and shop wont have...but the selection at Big Y is pretty nice these days I've found. Maybe I should be pickier about the food I eat but I'll be honest in that I don't eat a ton of fruits and veggies meat or fish. I do a lot of tofu bowls with rice/quinoa. I try with veggies but i don't need wegmans I guess. Apparently people love it!
What do people like so much about Wegman's? The quality? The experience? The scenary?
In my 20's/early 30's I was kind of mesmerized by these swanky high end grocery stores...but I also don't like to overpay for things and I found that was often what was happening. Once you're home and you have the stuff put away, for me it really doesnt matter if it's Stop N shop, Big Y, Prevites, Roche Bros, Brothers, Fruit center whatever. There are times I might want some specialty items that a stop and shop wont have...but the selection at Big Y is pretty nice these days I've found. Maybe I should be pickier about the food I eat but I'll be honest in that I don't eat a ton of fruits and veggies meat or fish. I do a lot of tofu bowls with rice/quinoa. I try with veggies but i don't need wegmans I guess. Apparently people love it!
The thing about Wegman's, is they offer a good balance of both amazing variety as well as competitive pricing (on many items). Like the best of Roche Bros., Market Basket, and Whole Foods all combined. Of course YMMV, depending on what you typically buy. My biggest hangup on Wegman's, is probably the large size and that it usually takes a long time to get through.
The produce at Wegman's isn't much different than Trader Joe's or Market Basket IMO, just more expensive. Whole Foods is even more expensive.
A lot of times the produce at Market Basket is not only cheaper but also better quality than at stores like Trader Joe's, Stop and Shop and Big Y. That's been my experience anyway. The big difference seems to be it's more annoying to shop at Market Basket because they're always so darn busy unless you go like right when they open. I went to the Wegman's in N'boro once to see what all the fuss was about and I don't get it. Didn't seem like anything spectacular to me. I'd pick Market Basket any day over Wegman's.
What do people like so much about Wegman's? The quality? The experience? The scenary?
In my 20's/early 30's I was kind of mesmerized by these swanky high end grocery stores...but I also don't like to overpay for things and I found that was often what was happening. Once you're home and you have the stuff put away, for me it really doesnt matter if it's Stop N shop, Big Y, Prevites, Roche Bros, Brothers, Fruit center whatever. There are times I might want some specialty items that a stop and shop wont have...but the selection at Big Y is pretty nice these days I've found. Maybe I should be pickier about the food I eat but I'll be honest in that I don't eat a ton of fruits and veggies meat or fish. I do a lot of tofu bowls with rice/quinoa. I try with veggies but i don't need wegmans I guess. Apparently people love it!
What differentiates Wegman's from everyone else is the prepared food, the butchery, the seafood counter, and the cheese monger. You can get very high end items in that part of the store. Also, the in-house liquor store is really good.
But the rest of the store - the stuff most of us go to the grocery store for - is pretty much the same as everyone else and they seem to have less of a brand selection than some other stores.
Where I am in Burlington, I can get to the following in 15 minutes:
A lot of times the produce at Market Basket is not only cheaper but also better quality than at stores like Trader Joe's, Stop and Shop and Big Y. That's been my experience anyway. The big difference seems to be it's more annoying to shop at Market Basket because they're always so darn busy unless you go like right when they open. I went to the Wegman's in N'boro once to see what all the fuss was about and I don't get it. Didn't seem like anything spectacular to me. I'd pick Market Basket any day over Wegman's.
I have found that the produce seems to be better at some MB's than others. The one in Burlington is right on the Lexington line and they have a better selection of and seemingly fresher produce. I think it's a combination of disposable income and an Asian demographic from Lexington that drives that.
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It's a little higher than MB (although generally better variety especially on the organic side), while things like their organic line are significantly less than both WF and S&S. And MUCH fresher than S&S.
