Before 1988, Walmart wasn’t in the grocery business, which is odd because Walmart absolutely dominates the modern grocery industry. The chain is easily the largest grocery retailer in the country, with about $341 billion in sales in 2020 and a 26% market share. What’s misleading about that market share is how Walmart controls certain geographic areas. In some places, Walmart accounts for 90% of all grocery sales. Walmart has transformed the way we buy food, and the reason is simple: Walmart offers high-quality grocery items at really great prices. Add to that the fact that you can buy your groceries where you buy almost everything else, and there’s really no mystery about the store’s popularity.
10 Healthy Groceries to Buy at Walmart Supercenter…and What to Avoid!
But nothing in this world is perfect. While Walmart is a great choice for buying most groceries, there are a few things you should buy elsewhere for a variety of reasons, ranging from price (yes, even Walmart gets beat on price sometimes) to quality. If you have the option, these are the things you should buy everywhere but your local Walmart.
Nearly every major grocery chain has developed a “private label” in recent years. These brands are often great options because they are less expensive than national brands, while often (but not always) offering comparable quality. Walmart’s private label, Great Value, is no exception. Great Value items are definitely less expensive than brand names and, for the most part, do the job, quality-wise.
That doesn’t mean they’re your best option. Compared to other “private label” store brands, Great Value often gets “meh” reviews from shoppers and doesn’t even make most “best of” lists for generic groceries. You’re better off buying brand-name products here or getting your generics elsewhere, unless low prices are your only motivator.