Whole Foods announced Wednesday that its new Holbrook store will open on Thursday, March 5.
The new 43,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market will anchor the redeveloped Shops at SunVet at 5801 Sunrise Highway. It will be the chain’s eighth location on Long Island.
Beginning at 8 a.m. on opening day, the Holbrook Whole Foods will give customers samples from NAVAD Bakers and coffee from Sail Away Coffee Co. The first 300 customers in line will receive a limited-edition tote bag and a coupon featuring savings up to $100 off, according to a company statement.
To mark the opening, Whole Foods will provide a food donation to We All We Got, Inc., which makes regular surplus food pickups from local Whole Foods stores to help prevent food waste and serve the surrounding community. The store will also donate money to Pronto of Long Island and Branches Long Island, according to the statement.
The new 168,000-square-foot Shops at SunVet was redeveloped from the distressed SunVet Mall. Syosset-based Blumenfeld Development Group signed a 99-year ground lease for the 18-acre retail complex in 2022. The following year, BDG entered a joint venture on the redevelopment project with Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers, which holds the majority interest in the JV and oversees leasing and operations at the Holbrook complex.
SunVet is Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency’s 11th retail center in the Long Island market, following its $130 million acquisition of four shopping centers from Serota Properties at the end of 2021 and its $30 million purchase of East Meadow Plaza in 2022.
Other tenants at the Shops at SunVet include a 26,780-square-foot Nordstrom Rack, a 4,700-square-foot Sephora, a, 4,400-square-foot Tony’s Tacos, a 4,062-square-foot J. Crew Factory and several more, including Starbucks, Citibank, Aspen Dental, Wells Fargo, Teachers Federal Credit Union, Shake Shack, Strong Pilates, Wonder, M Nail Bar, Hand & Stone Massage, Mogu Modern Chinese Kitchen, Club Champion, Naya, California Closets and Crumbl Cookies.
A new study finds that grocery prices vary widely by store, with Costco, Aldi, and Lidl often cheaper than Walmart, while Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s cost significantly more.
Switching grocery stores could save you some serious cash, at least on some items, according to a new study by Consumer Reports based on research by Strategic Resource Group.
In six U.S. cities, the price of a full basket at major supermarkets was compared against the price at Walmart, which is the biggest grocery store in the country.
“We looked at a marketbasket of products … Folgers Coffee, pineapple, lemons, Kraft macaroni and cheese, eggs, milk, chicken drumsticks, Gain detergent, that kind of thing,” said Tobie Stanger, a writer for Consumer Reports.
The study included sale prices if they were available without a membership, but not prices you would only get as a store member or through a store’s app.
The price of some items couldn’t be compared, because the products aren’t sold at certain places, such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.
At Costco, where things are often sold in bulk, the price per unit was compared.
“What we found are some pretty major differences, especially when you get into the specialty grocers,” Stanger said.
The closest city to D.C. that the study looked at was Virginia Beach. There, it found the price of the basket compared with Walmart was nearly 17% lower at Costco, and a whopping 58% higher at Whole Foods.
Also in Virginia Beach, prices at Aldi were about 16% lower than Walmart, and prices at Lidl were nearly 9% lower than Walmart.
Averaging the results from all six cities studied, you find prices compared with Walmart were about 21% lower at Costco and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Prices at Lidl and Aldi were lower, too. Also nationally, prices were about 40% higher at Whole Foods, about 25% higher at Trader Joe’s and 24% higher at Harris Teeter.
“If you’re starting with a lower priced store to begin with, you stand a better chance of having a smaller bill at the end when you go to the register,” Stanger said.
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Let’s set aside the controversy over what Walmart’s shrinkflation of its annual Thanksgiving feast bundle might suggest for the recent trajectory of grocery prices. The good news for which we can be thankful is that the share of their incomes that average Americans devote to paying for food has fallen steeply over the last 100 years.
Human Progress
This happy development stems from two long-term trends: rising incomes and falling food prices.
In 1929, Americans spent 23.4 percent of their after tax-personal disposable income buying food, reported the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2006. In 1929, food eaten at home accounted for 17 percent of food expenditures.
At the aggregate level, a crude calculation finds that in 1960, 11.4 percent of total GDP was spent on purchasing food for personal consumption. In 2025 that has fallen to 5.1 percent of GDP. Basically, as their incomes rise, Americans spend more money on food but it represents a smaller share of their income, and the proportion spent on nonfood items increases. Real U.S. disposal income per capita has increased from $13,500 in 1960 to nearly $53,000 today. After tax, personal disposable income hovers just above 70 percent of total GDP.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms these declining trends using different calculations.
USDA, Economic Research Service
The agency reports, “In 2024, U.S. consumers spent an average of 10.4 percent of their disposable personal incomes on food, a decrease from 10.6 percent in 2023.” Americans spend 4.9 percent of their incomes on food at home and 5.5 percent on food away from home, such as dining out at restaurants.
What about the price of foods? As Americans all too well know, the USDA reports that food prices rose by 23.6 percent between 2020 and 2024. Grocery prices do bounce around, especially during periods of high inflation like what we have recently been enduring. Nevertheless, the century-long trend has been falling prices for food staples, as shown by combining selected deflated Bureau of Labor Statistics and Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis data on food prices.
Author
While Americans on average devote just over 10 percent of their disposable incomes to food, those in the lowest income quintile spend just under 33 percent of their incomes on food.
USDA, Economic Research Service
As high as that percentage is, families in the lowest quintile were spending around 58 percent of their after-tax income on food as recently as the early 1980s.
As we gather for our holiday feasts, let us take a moment to appreciate that, over the past century, steady gains in productivity, innovation, and economic growth have allowed families to devote a smaller and smaller share of their budgets to putting food on the table. That is truly an achievement worth celebrating this Thanksgiving.
Prime Food Processing LLC is voluntarily recalling over 2,000 cases of two dessert buns due to the packaging not declaring milk, affecting nearly three dozen states.
Newsweek reached out to the company via phone on Friday night after hours and left a message.
Why It Matters
Numerous public health alerts and recalls have been issued this year due to potential damage, foodborne illness, contamination and undeclared food allergens.
Millions of Americans experience food sensitivities or allergies every year. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the nine “major” food allergens in the United States are eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts and peanuts.
“People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk risk a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products,” the alert warns in part.
What To Know
According to the alert, the voluntary recall includes 2,243 cases of the dessert buns. The products were distributed to Asian grocery stores from April 2, 2025, to November 14, 2025.
Prime Food brand Lava Bun with Salted Egg Yolk with UPC number 97903705873- 24 oz. Item #PD4188 is impacted by the recall, with a lot code range of 25092-25318 and an expiration range of 07/26-03/27, the alert notes.
Prime Food brand Lava Bun with Green Tea Flavor is also included in the recall, with UPC number #97803705883- 24 oz. Item #PD4198. The product has a lot code range of 25092-25318 and an expiration range of 07/26-03/27, according to the alert.
“The milk in these products is derived from unsalted butter listed in the ingredient statement,” the alert says in part.
There have been no allergic reactions or illnesses reported as of Thursday, the alert notes. The impacted 33 states are as follows: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Below is a map of the impacted states:
What People Are Saying
The alert, in part: “The issue was identified during an internal product review. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that packaging did not declare milk in the allergen statement. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s label review process.”
What Happens Next
Customers who have purchased the recalled dessert buns are urged to return the uneaten product and packaging for a full refund, the alert says.
People with additional questions may contact the company via phone at 718-963-2323 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET weekdays.
WTOP breaks down where shoppers could find the best quality and value as they plan, purchase, and prepare for Thanksgiving Day feasts.
Anyone who has ever prepared a Thanksgiving meal knows it’s a labor of love — and expensive.
As grocery prices rise, and with Nov. 27 approaching, WTOP wanted to learn where shoppers could find the best quality and value as they plan, purchase and prepare for their Thanksgiving Day feast.
“The good news is that there’s more competition than ever in the Washington-area supermarket scene,” said Kevin Brasler, executive editor of Washington Consumers’ Checkbook.
The nonprofit group just released its ratings of 32 grocery stores in the D.C. area. (Editor’s note: The ratings link will be active for WTOP’s audience through Dec. 15.)
“We have a list of 150 items that we used to shop these stores” with secret shoppers, Brasler said. “We also collect feedback from our members, asking them things like, ‘What’s the quality of fresh produce at these stores, what’s the quality of meat?’”
The overall choice?
“Wegmans wins again,” Brasler said. “Since it first moved into this area in 2004, Wegmans has gotten astonishingly high ratings from its customers for things like quality of fresh produce, quality of meat and overall quality.”
And at a good value.
“It’s not a price leader,” Brasler said. “It’s not the least expensive store in the area, but its prices are quite a bit lower than Giant, Harris Teeter and Safeway — its main competitors.”
As to how Wegmans provides quality and good prices, Brasler said the company chooses its store locations carefully, in areas with less competition, and has a smaller, more efficient distribution system than larger grocery store chains.
Where the prices are even lower
In addition to traditional stand alone grocery stores, Thanksgiving meal shoppers could get some of their ingredients in the same store while they’re shopping for home goods, clothing or mulch.
“Walmart has greatly expanded its grocery offerings in our area,” Brasler said. “Target now has a grocery store, basically, in every one of its stores.”
According to the Consumers’ Checkbook ratings, Walmart offers prices that are 13% below the all-store average, and with a large selection. Grocery prices at Target are 2% above the all-store average.
“Aldi and Lidl, which are these small-format grocery stores, those two offered the biggest savings in our latest supermarket survey,” Brasler said. “Aldi’s prices were 36% lower than all the other stores that we shopped, and Lidl’s prices were about 21% lower than the all-store average.”
The main drawback at Aldi and Lidl is that selection is limited, Brasler said.
“If you’re looking to buy ketchup, will they have Heinz ketchup? If they do, it may only be in one size,” compared to larger grocery stores, he said.
If someone is willing to accumulate grocery bargains over time, rather than doing one big shop, Brasler said “Amazon Fresh’s prices were about 15% lower than the all-store average — they were even a few percent lower than Walmart’s.”
In its smaller scale stores, “Amazon Fresh is really focusing on low costs and convenience,” Brasler said. “When you shop there, you don’t even have to go to checkout — you can just take stuff off the shelf, put it in your shopping cart, pack it up yourself and leave.”
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How does turkey with a side of rewards sound? With the best grocery credit cards, you can buy your Thanksgiving essentials and earn valuable cash back, points, or miles at the same time, bringing you extra savings to pair with your holiday cheer.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Welcome offer
Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months
Card type(s)
Cash-back, Rewards
Introductory Purchases APR
0% on purchases for 12 months
Ongoing Purchases APR
19.74%-28.74% Variable
Introductory Balance Transfer APR
0% on balance transfers for 12 months
Ongoing Balance Transfer APR
19.74%-28.74% Variable
Recommended credit score
Excellent,Good
Rewards rate
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in eligible purchases annually, then earn 1%)
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
3% cash back on at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit, including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
1% cash back on all other purchases
*Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout
Benefits
Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at disneyplus.com, hulu.com, or plus.espn.com U.S. websites (subject to auto-renewal)
Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee — select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options
Why we like it: At 6% cash back, the Blue Cash Preferred is the ultimate rewards card for U.S. supermarket shoppers. There is a $6,000 annual cap (after which you’ll earn 1% cash back in the category), which averages out to around $500 in grocery purchases per month. If you have a large family and eat mostly at home, you may exceed that annual limit — but it is still within Americans’ average spending of just over $5,700. If you are able to meet the 6% spending limit, you’ll get up to $360 in cash back, far exceeding the card’s ongoing $95 annual fee.
Limited-time offer: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year, plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months
Card type(s)
Cash-back, Rewards
Purchase APR
19.24% – 29.24% variable
Introductory APR
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then variable 19.24% – 29.24% APR
Recommended credit score
Good, Excellent
Rewards rate
8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)
1% cash back on all other purchases
Benefits
Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months
No foreign transaction fees
Why we like it: The Capital One Savor has a lot of potential value for shoppers who spend a lot on groceries. Unlike other cards on our list, there’s no cap to the amount of grocery purchases you can earn 3% cash back on each year. If you spend around the national average of $5,703, you can earn a total of $171.09 annually, even before accounting for your savings across other categories.
Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months
Card type(s)
Cash-back
Ongoing Balance Transfer APR
19.74%-28.74% Variable
Introductory Purchases APR
0% on purchases for 15 months
Introductory Balance Transfer APR
0% on balance transfers for 15 months
Ongoing Purchases APR
19.74%-28.74% Variable
Recommended credit score
Excellent, Good
Rewards rate
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
1% cash back on all other purchases
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout
Benefits
Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at disneyplus.com, hulu.com, or plus.espn.com U.S. websites (subject to auto-renewal)
Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee — select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options
Why we like it: For no annual fee (see rates and fees), the Amex Blue Cash Everyday’s 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets can translate to a big rewards return each year. There is a $6,000 annual cap (after which you’ll earn 1%) — but if you spend around the average $5,703 on groceries each year you’ll be able to maximize the category and get around $171.09 back.
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer with no credit score impact; if approved and you accept the card, your score may be impacted)
Card type(s)
Travel, Rewards
Ongoing Purchases APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit score
Excellent/Good
Rewards rate
4x Membership Rewards Points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
2x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
1x Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases
Benefits
Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with your American Express Gold Card at Five Guys, Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and Wine.com (enrollment required)
Up to $100 in annual statement credits ($50 semi-annually) when you use your American Express Gold Card on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants on the Resy app or Resy.com
Up to $84 per year ($7/month) in statement credits after you enroll and pay with your American Express Gold Card at more than 9,000 U.S. Dunkin’® locations (enrollment is required to receive this benefit)
Why we like it: With 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets, the American Express Gold Card is one of the best options for turning your grocery purchases into travel rewards. It’s unlikely that most shoppers will reach the $25,000 annual spending cap — which averages out to a monthly supermarket bill over $2,000. But if you do, you could earn a whopping 100,000 Membership Rewards points from this bonus category. If your supermarket purchases are closer to the average $5,703 annually, you can still rack up 22,812 points each year.
10% or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com (with an eligible Prime membership)
5% at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases
2% at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
1% on all other purchases (unlimited)
Benefits
Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com or Chase.com as soon as the next day
No annual fee
The Prime Visa card may not be top of mind when you think of grocery credit cards, but for some shoppers, it can be a great way to maximize food spending. The card’s top 5% cash back rate doesn’t only apply to Amazon.com purchases — you can earn the same amount at Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh. So if Whole Foods is your supermarket of choice or Amazon Fresh is the grocery delivery service you use most often, you could get an unlimited 5% back on groceries (rather than work around the spending caps set by many grocery rewards cards).
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
Card type(s)
Rewards, Cash-back
Purchase APR
18.74% – 28.24% variable
Introductory APR
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% – 28.24%
Rewards rate
5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
3% on dining, including takeout, and drug stores
1% on all other purchases
Benefits
Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more
Enjoy perks like extended warranty protection, trip cancellation insurance, cell phone protection, and auto rental collision damage waiver
Redeem your cash back rewards as a statement credit, direct deposit, gift card, on Amazon purchases, or to book travel through Chase
Use the introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, after which the standard APR will apply
Why we like it: The biggest bonus rewards category from Chase Freedom Flex offers 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories, up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter. As a result, you may only earn 5% grocery rewards during one quarter each year — over the past few years, grocery stores have consistently shown up as a quarterly bonus category.
Earn a $250 bonus after spending $2,000 within the first 120 days
Card type(s)
Cash-back, Rewards
Purchase APR
18.74% – 28.74% variable
Recommended credit score
Good, excellent
Rewards rate
6% cash back on the first $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter with two retailers of your choice
5.5% cash back on hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center
3% cash back on the first $1,500 in purchases each quarter on one everyday category of your choice (like wholesale clubs, gas and EV charging stations, bills and utilities)
1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Benefits
Retailers eligible for 6% cash back include Target, Walmart, and Amazon.com
Categories eligible for 3% cash back include bills and utilities, gas and EV charging stations, and wholesale clubs
Access to ExtendPay® Plans, which allow you to pay off balances in fixed monthly payments over time and avoid paying interest charges on eligible purchases
Why we like it: This card takes some strategy to maximize, but the potential value of the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards may be worth it. To start, you’ll earn 6% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending across two retailers you choose each quarter. Superstores like Target and Walmart are included among these choice retailers (unlike most grocery rewards cards), and this is a great option if you prefer to go grocery shopping there.
Annual fee
$0
Welcome offer
Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months (bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back)
Card type(s)
Cash-back
Purchase APR
18.24% – 28.24% variable
Introductory APR
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Recommended credit score
Good to Excellent
Rewards rate
5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back after that)
4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ through 6/30/2026
1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases
Benefits
No annual fee
As your spending changes, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories each billing cycle
Why we like it: This card is our choice for regular monthly grocery spending because it can be ideal for grocery shoppers who have a set amount of money to put toward groceries each month. There is a $500 monthly spending cap, but it’s hard to beat the 5% you can earn up to that limit with the Citi Custom Cash. Over a year of maxing out the 5% with grocery stores as your category, you can earn up to $300 cash back. With the average $5,703 spread over a year, you could potentially earn $285.15. Just be aware of your spending and spread your grocery purchases out to not meet the monthly caps.
A co-branded grocery credit card may offer even more savings if you tend to shop at the same store each week. That’s especially true if you do most of your grocery shopping at superstores or wholesale clubs — which are often excluded from earning bonus rewards with regular grocery credit cards.
Here are a few store credit cards for groceries to consider:
For no annual fee beyond your Costco membership price, you can use the Costco Anywhere Visa to earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station and EV charging station purchases (up to $7,000 per year, then 1%), 3% cash back at restaurants, 3% cash back on eligible travel spending, and 2% cash back on purchases at Costco and Costco.com. Everything else earns 1% cash back. If you already have a Costco membership and do much of your monthly shopping there, this card can help you maximize that grocery spending as well as other regular expenses.
Target recently revamped its Target Circle rewards program — and part of the relaunch included the Target Circle Card, which offers a lot of potential savings for frequent shoppers. You’ll earn 5% cash back at Target stores and on Target.com with the no annual fee card and, if you’re approved for the Target Mastercard version, also earn 2% cash back on dining, 2% at gas stations, and 1% cash back on all other non-Target purchases.
There are two primary ways that grocery credit cards can help you save money during the holidays and beyond:
Welcome bonuses: New cardholders are typically eligible to earn a sign-up bonus on a rewards credit card. If you’re able to meet the spending requirement, you can significantly pad your rewards balance by making purchases you were already planning, including buying groceries.
Everyday rewards: Apart from the welcome bonus, you can continue earning rewards on your everyday spending, including trips to the grocery store. These rewards won’t initially be as much as earning the sign-up bonus, but they’ll add up over time.
The value you get from your rewards depends on how you use them. For cash-back credit cards, you typically get a statement credit or a deposit into your bank account. You can use either redemption option to easily offset expenses during the holiday season.
For travel credit cards, you can often redeem rewards toward flights, hotel stays, or rental cars. This can take a lot of the upfront cost out of a holiday trip or a future vacation.
Between weekly hauls, restocks, and the occasional pitstop on the way home from work, grocery shopping is likely one of your biggest monthly expenses. In fact, the average cost Americans incur for food at home is $5,703 each year — nearly $500 monthly. With regular grocery bills that high, it pays — a lot — to have a grocery rewards credit card in your wallet.
Keeping multiple credit cards in your wallet can be useful for earning the best rewards and taking advantage of the best benefits on nearly every purchase you make. So if, like many Americans, supermarket spending is among your most common monthly expenses — a credit card for groceries can make a lot of sense.
There are a few reasons you may want to hold off, though. For one, if opening a new credit card encourages you to spend more than you can afford just to earn rewards, it might be more costly than budget-friendly. Many of the best grocery credit cards also require a great credit score — so if you’re still building a solid credit history, you may want to wait to apply.
Overall, comparing the potential value to your own spending at the grocery store is the best way to decide. Here are a few more factors to consider:
Where you shop most often: If you always do your grocery shopping at the same chain, or a rotation of a few different supermarkets, make sure you can earn rewards there with your grocery credit card. Read the card’s terms before you apply to see whether any exclusions apply that may keep you from maximizing your spending.
What type of rewards you want to earn: You can find grocery bonus categories among both cash-back credit cards and rewards credit cards that earn points and miles. Narrow down your options by deciding whether you prefer the simplicity of cash back or want to earn points that you can put toward a future travel purchase.
How much you spend on groceries: Several of the best credit cards for groceries cap the amount you can spend before maxing out top rewards for the month, quarter, or year. Look back at your total supermarket spending over the past year to compare your totals with each card’s spending cap to secure the most value for you over the long term.
Like any credit card bonus category, the details of your grocery rewards can differ between cards and card issuers.
The language used by the issuer to refer to a card’s grocery rewards can make a big difference in your potential earnings.
For example, many grocery credit cards earn rewards solely at “grocery stores” or “supermarkets” and specify that the same bonus rewards rate does not apply to large superstores like Walmart and Target or warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club. If you prefer to complete all your shopping at your local Super Target or you’re a loyal Costco member, you’ll probably be better off with a card that earns rewards at those stores specifically.
This is also important if you use online grocery delivery. Whether you prefer Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or another grocery delivery service, you’ll want to make sure you can earn your grocery rewards while using it.
Finally, look for any restrictions on where you spend. Some grocery credit cards only earn rewards at stores within the United States. If you plan to use the card to buy food on trips abroad, you might forfeit some rewards earnings.
Read more
Spending limits are likely one of the first things that stand out when you begin comparing credit cards for groceries. You’ll often see a card offer something like 5% cash back on grocery store purchases up to the first $500 per month or 6% back on grocery store spending up to the first $1,500 per quarter.
While a spending cap can hurt your potential earnings, it’s not a reason to rule out a card altogether. In fact, the cards we compared generally have spending limits well within the amount average Americans spend on food at home each year.
What’s more important is how each card’s restrictions fit your specific grocery spending.
If you have a large family, for example, and spend well beyond the limits each year, you might want to look for a card that doesn’t have any annual limit on what you can earn — even if it does have a lower reward or cash-back rate. Or maybe your grocery spending tends to be much higher at certain times throughout the year when you eat at home more. Then, you might prioritize a card with a more flexible annual limit rather than specific monthly or quarterly limits.
Before you decide on the best credit card for the grocery stores and supermarkets where you shop most, find out more with these frequently asked questions:
Right now, two credit cards on our list offer 6% cash back on your grocery purchases. Though their reward structures are very different, both of these cards cap the total 6% rewards you can earn.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers 6% cash back on the first $6,000 you spend at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1%), along with other rewards categories. The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 6% cash back on the first $1,500 you spend in combined purchases each quarter with two choice retailers. While this card doesn’t explicitly have a grocery category, eligible 6% retailers do include Target and Walmart — so if you often buy groceries at those superstores, you could earn 6% on eligible spending.
When you’re looking for a new rewards credit card, it’s smart to start with your budget. Look back on past expenses over the past several months — if grocery stores and supermarkets make up a significant portion of your spending, a credit card for groceries can be a great way to save.
Many of the best credit cards with grocery rewards don’t only earn rewards on groceries, though. Take time to evaluate the other rewards categories (along with the annual fee, welcome bonus, and other details) to make sure you choose the right one for your overall budget and everyday spending.
There are several options for grocery rewards credit cards with no annual fee, especially if you’re looking for cash-back rewards. You can find more information about each one via our full list of best grocery credit cards above:
Credit card issuers often have different parameters for “grocery stores” or “supermarkets,” so it’s always a good idea to read your card’s rewards agreement to ensure you can maximize rewards where you shop most. Rewards categories also often rely on merchant category codes, which can vary by retailer.
An eligible U.S. supermarket as defined by American Express, for example, “offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies.” But it does not include superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs, or meal kit delivery services.
Capital One, on the other hand, specifies that purchases at a supermarket, meat locker, freezer, dairy product store, or specialty market can all earn grocery rewards, but explicitly states that superstores like Target and Walmart do not count toward the category bonus. It also clarifies that grocery purchases “made at gas stations, convenience stores, warehouse clubs, discount stores, and superstores (or at grocery stores associated with discount stores or superstores,” will not earn bonus rewards for the grocery category.
While qualifying stores will often overlap, knowing exactly what counts for your specific card (and exclusions that may apply) can help you maximize your card’s rewards.
Our list of the best credit cards for groceries started by compiling all of the credit cards available from major issuers — from cash-back cards to rewards and travel credit cards — that earn grocery rewards. In total, we evaluated nearly three dozen cards for this list.
From there, we determined each credit card’s annual grocery rewards potential based on the average amount that Americans spend on food at home according to the Consumer Expenditures survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of 2022 — the most recent available data — that amount is $5,703.
We then assigned each of the potential cards a rating. The data points used for this include standard details like APR, annual fee, welcome bonus, security protections, and more. But we also included some features specific to grocery rewards, including the potential cash back earned using the BLS data and actual rewards rate.
The cards that make up our list include both the top-scoring cards overall and the cards with the top potential annual earnings. While we wanted to guarantee each of our options could help maximize grocery spending, we also included a range of annual fees, rewards types, and spending limits so that you can use your individual spending habits and goals to find the best fit for your grocery budget.
Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn’t include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Grocery “affordability” seems to be a buzzword right now, as many Americans focus on their constantly increasing grocery bill.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, turkeys and the fixings are said to remain affordable, but other items are as high as ever.
Coffee is the most increased grocery item of 2025, which is up 19 percent. The second most increased item: beef, up 15% from last year.
Customers across the country said they have to buy less this year. Regina Gertsen is among those, saying meat is just too expensive.
Other popular items that have seen price hikes include frozen juice, which is up nine percent. Bananas and condiments have both increased by seven percent.
There are some items that are down, though still pricier than they used to be. Eggs are down 12%, cooking oils are down 3% and canned tuna is down 3% as well.
The Farm Bureau blames low cattle inventory for the high costs. It is at its lowest level in 60 years. Factors like drought and high feed prices lead to lower inventories.
Market owner Neil Luken said that steak and burger prices typically drop in winter, as people buy roasts instead. However, that has yet to happen this year, and ground beef is still above six dollars a pound.
That’s why President Trump unveiled a plan to import more beef from Argentina. In the meantime, switching to chicken won’t save much. The cost of chicken breasts has gone up over a dollar a pound this year.
While eggs and a few things are more affordable, the reality is that prices on most staples remain high.
Every Thursday, WRAL News tracks the prices of groceries across multiple grocery chains in the Triangle. It reflects that some staples like beef and chicken remain high, but there are some that might not break your budget.
For Pete Marczyk, the decision to open a market downtown was an easy one.
“When you get a phone call from Walter Isenberg, you listen,” the longtime Denver grocer said, referring to the founder and CEO of Denver-based Sage Hospitality as “the Godfather.”
“It was pretty interesting to see the vision through his eyes,” he continued. “And that was a really cool moment for me to be able to sit down with him and be able to hammer that out.”
What came of that months-ago conversation is the fourth location of Marczyk Fine Foods, planned for the Milk Market food hall in LoDo.
Marczyk said the 450-square-foot outpost at 1800 Wazee St. will be a stripped down but “mighty” version of his specialty grocery stores in the Uptown and Hale neighborhoods. It will sell premade entrees, soups, salads and sweets alongside a small selection of grocery items.
“It’s not our whole product mix, but we use sales data and we’ll get a product mix down there, and our customers will teach us what works and what doesn’t,” Marczyk said.
Sage, which manages Milk Market, will staff the spot. The company signed a five-year licensing agreement with Marczyk. Scott Vollmer, general manager of Dairy Block, the development that Milk Market is a part of, said he expects Marczyk to open in early 2026.
“(Marczyk) is a successful local grocery concept that embodies good quality, great service,” said Vollmer, who works for Dairy Block developer McWhinney. “And it fills a void here downtown where you’re missing a lot of the basic grocery sundry items that Marczyk does a great job of curating.”
Milk Market isn’t the first licensing agreement for Marczyk. In 2019, he signed a deal to open a spot in Denver International Airport, which finally opened a year ago after COVID-induced delays.
At Marczyk’s licensed spots, the operator — in this case Sage — buys the food from the grocer, which makes one to two daily deliveries of its fresh bread and prepared foods. Marczyk will continue cooking and shipping out of its 10,000-square-food commissary at 4850 E. 39th Ave. in Park Hill.
Marczyk, who opened his first store in 2002, said he constantly gets approached to open new locations but he needs a very specific set of circumstances to make the numbers work. He said it would cost $7 million to build out a new store, several million more than he paid decades ago.
“It’s really hard to make the math work for a grocer. Everything they say about the grocery business is true, it’s the second oldest profession, (with) prostitution being the first,” he joked. “But it’s a really super competitive space and our direct competitors are two of the largest companies in the world: Amazon and Walmart.”
In an industry where sub-5% margins are common, he views the licensed location as another way to pad his business. Marczyk also said the move helps avoid the red tape and overhead costs of a new build-out.
“This is a way for us to mitigate some risk … and add some incremental sales,” he said. “Because expectations of profitability are so low, if we just add a little it’s a lot for us.
“My managers, their job is to find $50 a day they can add to the bottom line,” he continued. “And that’s a significant percentage of profit that we can add.”
Marczyk opening at Milk Market continues Sage’s new plan to get outside operators in the food hall, which restaurateur Frank Bonanno opened in 2018 and sold to Sage in 2023. Over the summer, Milk Market added Konjo Ethiopian Food, The Lucky Bird fried chicken and YumCha, a noodles and dumplings concept by ChoLon owner Lon Symensma.
Sprouts Farmers Market of Phoenix, Arizona, is recalling select lots of their Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad due to fears the product could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Newsweek reached out to the company via email on Thursday for comment.
Why It Matters
Numerous public health alerts and recalls have been initiated this year because of the potential for damaged products, foodborne illness, contamination and undeclared food allergens.
Millions of Americans experience food sensitivities or allergies every year. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the nine “major” food allergens in the United States are eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts and peanuts.
“Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women,” the alert warns in part.
What To Know
The alert notes that the recalled product was sold at the deli service bar and via the grab-and-go section of the store. The recalled product was distributed to Sprouts’ stores in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
The impacted pasta salad was sold in plastic containers or packaged directly from the deli counter, the alert notes.
The UPC code for the recalled product sold from the grab-and-go sections is 2-15786-00000 with use-by dates ranging from October 10, 2025, to October 29, 2025. The UPC code for the recalled product sold via “Service Case” is 2-15587-00000 with use-by dates also ranging from October 10, 2025, to October 29, 2025.
Below is a map showing the states impacted by the recall:
What People Are Saying
The alert in part: “This follows a recall initiated by Fresh Creative Foods, due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination of the pasta ingredient that was manufactured by Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, CA. This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.”
What Happens Next
People who have purchased the recalled pasta salad are urged to dispose of the product or return it to the original place of purchase for a refund, the alert says.
Customers with additional questions may contact the company via phone at 480-814-8016 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. MT or by contact form.
You’re zipping down the aisle, checking items off your grocery list. Next up: fabric softener. You reach for the container, but when you lift it, something doesn’t seem quite right. Upon taking a closer look, you realize it’s not filled to the top. What do you do?
A man in Boston, Massachusetts, has a solution that might also be part of the problem. In a viral TikTok, Louie (@beantownlouiee) demonstrates what he does when the Downy fabric softener seems underfilled.
“When you go to the store you always gotta make sure you get your money’s worth,” Louie says, as he pulls a second container from the shelf.
“This right here costs $24,” he continues, opening both containers. “You gotta always make sure you get your money’s worth, gang.
“‘Cause this [expletive] costs too,” he trails off.
Then Louie fills the first container to the brim, puts the top back on it, and replaces the second one on the shelf.
“Expensive to not get your money’s worth, gang,” he continues.
“Twenty-four dollars, I need that. I need every last drop,” Louie concludes. “Let’s go.”
In the five days since he posted it, Louie’s clip has racked up 3.2 million views and over 1,000 comments. People are, in turn, amused, inspired, and exasperated.
Why do Downy containers have so much empty space?
In the caption on Louie’s post, he alludes to a widespread frustration consumers have with underfilled products. “First it was the chips … & NOW THIS???” he writes.
Many people have complained that some bags of chips have more empty space than product.
While this may seem nefarious, there is a perfectly reasonable explanation. The extra air in the bag acts as a cushion to keep the chips from getting crushed during shipping. No one likes a bag of broken chips, after all.
Downy fabric softener isn’t a crushable product like chips, though.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a legitimate reason why there’s enough empty space that it takes Louie several seconds to top off the first Downy container. For example, the machinery that fills Downy fabric softener could be set to leave some space to avoid spillage. Or it could be simple human error at the Downy plant.
If Downy fabric softener intentionally or negligently contains less than the amount stated on the bottle, Procter & Gamble could get in serious trouble. It could be sued, fined, or lose consumer goodwill.
“Pretty sure it’s illegal […] to only sell half a product for the full price so he’s good,” one person commented on Louie’s post. Another replied, “They sell the product at the [fluid ounces] marketed on the product. The reason it’s half a product is because of the video above.”
Procter & Gamble didn’t respond to emails or a voicemail left Wednesday morning.
No harm, no foul in the grocery aisle?
Although some were amused, most people who commented on Louie’s video weren’t impressed.
Many blamed his behavior for stores now locking up products.
“Y’all be the reason some of us gotta wait 20 mins just for somebody to come unlock something that don’t needa be locked,” Bree commented.
Kamo.n agreed, “This is why they lock everything.”
Many pointed out that topping off Downy or any other product before you buy it is technically theft. “That’s gotta be illegal,” Pickle said. Prima responded, “Yes… stealing is illegal.. dude…”
It is possible that Louie’s post is a sketch or a joke. He could’ve purchased both jugs of Downy, for instance.
Louie didn’t respond to a direct message sent via TikTok.
Others wondered about the shopper who ends up with the Downy he filled from.
“But what about the next person who spends $24 on a quarter filled bottle?” wrote one.
Claire Goforth is a contributing writer to The Mary Sue. Her work has appeared in the Guardian, Al Jazeera America, the Miami New Times, Folio Weekly, the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, the Florida Times-Union, the Daily Dot, and Grace Ormonde Wedding Style. Find her online at bsky.app/profile/clairegoforth.bsky.social and x.com/claire_goforth.
If you like noodles, now would be a good time to check your freezer and fridge: Multiple grocery stores have had to recall pasta salad and other pre-made dishes because of possible listeria contamination.
So far, Colorado doesn’t have any known cases, but some of the recalled foods went to stores in the state.
Listeria is most severe for people who are over 65 or have compromised immune systems. It also carries severe risks during pregnancy because of the possibility of premature birth and severe illness in the baby.
The products distributed to Colorado that could have listeria contamination include:
SAULT STE. MARIE — School is back in session and temperatures are getting cooler in Sault Ste. Marie.
Soon, leaves will be changing color and apple cider and pumpkin spice will be on display at grocery stores. With the fall season comes many popular activities for Sault residents to look forward to.
Here’s what we’re most excited for this fall:
The 2025 Soo Film Festival is happening Sept. 10-14 in Sault Ste. Marie.
Soo Film Festival
The annual Soo Film Festival begins Wednesday, Sept. 10 with a full slate of new local and regional films. The first two days of films will be screened at the Bayliss Public Library for free. From Friday, Sept. 12 through Sunday, Sept. 14, movies will be shown at the historic Sault Theatre and tickets will be required.
The annual festival includes narrative features, documentaries, shorts, animated films and music videos.
Bird’s Eye Outfitters will host the Oktoberfest & Beer Olympics on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Oktoberfest
Local gastropub Bird’s Eye Outfitters is bringing back their popular Oktoberfest for 2025.
Starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Bird’s Eye, 107 E. Portage Ave., the Oktoberfest & Beer Olympics will feature games, beer, food and more fun activities.
Participants can take part in a Stein Hoisting Contest alongside other friendly competitions. Costumes are encouraged!
The Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours are offering a chance to see the fall colors along the St. Marys River up close and personal.
On Saturdays during the fall season, starting Sept. 13, the business is offering a unique two-hour trip. The tour will go through the Soo Locks, past waterfront landmarks and observe the setting sun.
People view the Lower Falls at Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Tahquamenon Falls
There are fewer places in the Eastern Upper Peninsula better to admire the changing fall colors than at Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Located a short drive from Sault Ste. Marie near Paradise, the park includes one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. It encompasses nearly 50,000 acres and stretches 13-plus miles, with the Upper and Lower falls providing breathtaking scenic views.
The park is open year-round to visitors for hiking and camping. The Tahquamenon Falls State Park Harvest Festival is set for Sept. 27 and will include hayrides, pumpkin decorating, archery and more.
Several local farms will be offering pumpkin picking, corn mazes, hayrides and other famously fun fall activities this year.
Corn mazes and pumpkin patches
Several local farms will be offering pumpkin picking, corn mazes, hayrides and other famously fun fall activities.
For example, Davis Farms, located at 1858 Brevort Lake Road in Moran, and Ditmyer’s Red Barn Farm, located at 2664 W. 5 Mile Road in Sault Ste. Marie, are among the local businesses that typically host fall activities for families.
Don’t forget to check out your local farmers markets for fresh seasonal produce!
As Labor Day approaches this year—falling on Monday, September 1, 2025—many Americans are planning barbecues, shopping excursions, or quick getaways. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect as stores, services, and institutions adjust to the federal holiday.
Retail & Grocery Stores
Open (mostly regular or slightly modified hours): Major retailers like Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy, Lowe’s, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Ross, TJ Maxx, and others (e.g., Michael’s, Petco, Staples, Big Lots, Marshalls) will be open with regular hours, offering plenty of shopping and last-minute deals.
Grocery chains including Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Kroger (and its affiliates such as Ralphs, Harris Teeter, Pick ’n Save, Fred Meyer), Publix, Stop & Shop, Wegmans, Safeway, and Vons will also be open with usual hours.
Open with adjusted or limited hours:
Aldi will operate, but most locations will close early—commonly around 6 p.m., though you should check ahead. Sam’s Club will remain open, but with reduced hours, typically closing around 6 p.m. (Plus Members may have extended hours).
Closed:
Costco is the notable exception—it will be closed across all locations for the entire day.
Pharmacies & Drugstores
Chain pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens are expected to remain open, though pharmacy services may vary by location—some may operate on limited or holiday hours.
Postal Services & Deliveries
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will be closed, with no mail delivery, as it follows the federal holiday schedule. UPS and FedEx will halt regular pickup and delivery services. Some FedEx Office locations may be open with modified hours, and both companies offer critical services (e.g., UPS Express Critical or FedEx Custom Critical) that remain operational .Banking, Stock Markets &
Government Offices
Banks will be closed on Labor Day, with ATMs and online banking still functional. However, transactions made that day will typically process the next business day. Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will be closed for trading on Labor Day, resuming normal operations on Tuesday, September 2. Federal, state, and local government offices, including courts, DMVs, and various administrative agencies, will be closed, with services resuming the following day.
Schools & Libraries
Most public schools will be closed in observance of the holiday, with private school schedules varying by district—check local calendars for specifics. Libraries are expected to follow similar closure schedules—most will be closed or have limited hours.
Travel & Public Transportation
In cities like Houston, METRO buses, Metrorail, and Metrorapid will operate on reduced (Sunday-level) service, while park-and-ride services will be unavailable. Travel advisories, including from the TSA, warn of increased airport volumes and encourage early arrival—especially for those traveling by air.
Quick Reference Table
Retail Stores
Walmart, Target, Home Depot, etc.
Aldi, Sam’s Club
Costco
Grocery Chains
Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, etc.
Aldi, Sam’s Club
Costco
Pharmacies
CVS, Walgreens (hours vary)
—
—
Postal & Delivery
Critical services (UPS/FedEx)
FedEx Office (limited hours)
USPS, regular FedEx/UPS
Banks & Financial
ATMs & online banking
—
Bank branches, stock markets
Government Services
—
—
All non-essential offices
Schools & Libraries
—
—
Most are closed
Public Transit
Greater regular services
Sunday schedule (e.g., Houston METRO)
Final Notes
Costco will be closed all day. Most major retailers and grocers (Target, Walmart, Home Depot, etc.) are open as usual. Limited hours apply to chains like Aldi and Sam’s Club. USPS, banks, government offices, and stock markets remain closed. Critical delivery services operate, but standard ones do not.
Earn 10% back as a statement credit after using your enrolled eligible Card to make purchases in-store or online at a U.S. supermarket by 12/31/2024. Limit of $20 back in total statement credits.
Our Verdict
Grocery store offers are always useful. You can also buy a gift card at the local grocery if you want to max it out that way.
Amazon, which recently resumed openings of new Fresh grocery stores after a yearlong pause, held “grand reopenings” for two of its D.C.-area stores Saturday.
Amazon, which recently resumed openings of new Fresh grocery stores after a yearlong pause, held “grand reopenings” for two of its D.C.-area stores Saturday.
The redesigned Amazon Fresh stores, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Franconia, Virginia, followed similar redesigns of Fresh stores in Chicago and Southern California. The stores carry more national brands, higher-quality produce and meats, and more of Amazon’s own private-label brands, including Aplenty, Amazon Fresh, 365 by Whole Foods and Amazon’s newest private-label brand, Amazon Saver.
Some changes have also been made to the stores’ layouts.
There are other Amazon Fresh stores in Fairfax City, Lorton and Manassas. Its newest Fresh store is in Potomac Yard in Alexandria, which opened in July. Another opened in Gaithersburg in August. And similar upgrades are likely.
“Based on what we have heard and seen from customers and heard from our teams, we will continue to bring the concept to new and existing store locations with many of the elements you see in Chevy Chase and Franconia,” an Amazon spokesman said.
In addition to the D.C. area and Southern California, the only other Fresh stores are in the Chicago area, Seattle area, Philadelphia area and New York and New Jersey.
There are about 40 Fresh stores nationally. The Amazon Fresh store in Crystal City closed earlier this year.
“We are doing a fair bit of experimentation today in those stores to try to find a format that we think resonates with customers,” Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said following Amazon’s fourth quarter earnings report in February. “We’ve decided over the last year or so that we’re not going to expand the physical Fresh until we have that equation.”
Amazon has since slowly resumed Fresh additions. This summer, in addition to the Potomac Yard and Gaithersburg locations, Amazon opened nine other Fresh stores in other markets.
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Check the AmEx Offers on your American Express Marriott Bonvoy cards for the following deal:
Get 10 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar spent on qualifying purchases made using your enrolled eligible Card in-store or online at a U.S. supermarket by 12/31/2024. Limit of 7,500 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Others got 4x. Others got a 5,000 limit.
The Fine Print
Offer valid for in-store and online eligible purchases at U.S. Supermarkets.
An “eligible purchase” means a purchase made with your enrolled Card at a U.S. supermarket location by 12/31/2024. “Supermarket” means a standalone merchant in the U.S. primarily selling supermarket products.
Excludes gasoline purchases and gift card purchases.
Specialty Food Stores, Superstores, Convenience Stores, Small Corner Grocery Stores, and Warehouse Clubs are not considered Supermarket stores.
Excludes pharmacy and indoor vendor purchases such as coffee shops and restaurants.
Valid only on purchases made in US dollars.
Our Verdict
Some might find it worth using this offer, depending on what your typical Grocery earn is.
Lawyers for Washington state will have past grocery chain mergers – and their negative consequences – in mind when they go to court to block a proposed merger between Albertsons and Kroger.
The case is one of three challenging the $24.6 billion deal, which was announced nearly two years ago. The Federal Trade Commission is currently fighting the merger in federal court in Oregon, where closing arguments are expected Tuesday. Colorado has also sued to block the merger.
But if the merger goes through, Washington residents would feel the impact more than the people of any other state. Albertsons and Kroger own more than 300 grocery stores in the state and control more than half of grocery sales there.
Under a plan to ease regulators’ concerns, Kroger and Albertsons would sell 579 overlapping stores, 124 of them in Washington, if the merger goes through. That’s the highest number among the 19 states with stores on the list. The state attorney general’s office says the proposed buyer, C&S Wholesale Grocers, has little experience running stores or pharmacies.
Washington seeks to avoid the situation it found itself in a decade ago, when Albertsons bought the Safeway chain. To satisfy regulators concerned about that deal’s potential impact on supermarket competition and consumers, Albertsons sold 146 stores to Haggen, a small grocery chain based in Bellingham, Washington.
But Haggen struggled with the expansion. Within six months, it had closed 127 stores — including 14 in Washington — and laid off thousands of workers. Haggen sold its remaining stores to Albertsons in 2016. Now, 10 Haggen stores in Washington are on the list to be sold if the merger happens.
“It’s pretty terrifying,” said Tina McKim, a founding member of Birchwood Food Desert Fighters, a group that sprang up in 2016 after Albertsons closed a store in Bellingham’s Birchwood neighborhood.
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democrat who is running for governor, wants to block the merger not just in the state but nationwide. In its complaint, filed in King County Superior Court in Seattle, Washington says eliminating the “robust competition” that exists between Albertsons and Kroger would lead to higher prices, lower quality and, most likely, store closures.
Albertsons and Kroger say the merger would help them better compete with growing rivals like Walmart and Costco. They are trying to get the case dismissed, arguing a state court isn’t the proper venue to consider a nationwide ban.
“Under our federalist system, Washington cannot wield its antitrust law to dictate merger policy for the rest of the country,” Albertsons and Kroger said in a court filing.
Brad Weber, a Dallas-based partner with the law firm Locke Lord who specializes in antitrust issues, said the Superior Court judge could decide to halt the merger nationwide or limit his ruling to Washington. Judge Marshall Ferguson might also order the companies to make changes to their plans to divest stores to preserve competition.
Ferguson may also decide to delay the case until there’s a ruling from the U.S. District Court in Oregon. Weber said. In that case, the Federal Trade Commission has asked a judge to temporarily block the merger until it is considered by an in-house judge at the FTC.
Albertsons and Kroger insist that their plan, including the sale of stores to C&S, will lower grocery prices and preserve competition. But Washington residents like McKim remain skeptical.
In 2016, Albertsons acquired a Haggen supermarket and then promptly closed an Albertsons store about a mile away in Birchwood. When it sold its former store two years later, Albertsons included a restriction: for the next 20 years, no grocery store could open in the Birchwood shopping plaza.
Albertsons says these types of restrictions — occasionally used when there is a store in close proximity to the store that’s closing — can help grocery companies stay competitive.
But it was a huge blow to the community, McKim said. For 35 years, the Birchwood store had served older adults, students, people with disabilities and lower-income residents who suddenly had no easy access to fresh food.
“We were all really shocked by that. How is it possible to deny food access to a neighborhood?” McKim said. “It made it really hard for anyone without a car to be able to go to another grocery store.”
McKim’s group tries to fill the void by collecting food donations and bringing in produce from local farms, but “it’s nowhere near the level of access people need,” she said.
This summer, after an investigation by Washington’s attorney general, Albertsons removed the restriction on the shopping plaza. A Big Lots that moved into the former grocery store is closing soon, McKim said, and she hopes the space will attract another supermarket. But even if it does, the community may never get back the unionized jobs it lost when Albertsons shut its doors, she said.
McKim said her area does have a Walmart, but it’s even further away from Birchwood than the Albertsons-run Haggen store, which is on the list of stores that would be sold to C&S. She’s also not convinced Kroger and Albertsons need to merge to compete with Walmart.
“This city is growing so quickly, the need for food is absolutely critical everywhere,” McKim said. “When you see other stores succeed, it’s because they curate to the neighborhood’s needs.”
The newest D.C.-area Amazon Fresh store will open at Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 25 in a former Shoppers Food Warehouse space.
The fruits and vegetables section inside an Amazon Fresh grocery store. (Courtesy Amazon)
The fruits and vegetables section inside an Amazon Fresh grocery store. (Courtesy Amazon)
The newest D.C.-area Amazon Fresh store will open at Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 25 in a former Shoppers Food Warehouse space.
It will be the seventh Amazon Fresh store open in the D.C. area, though it closed smaller Fresh stores in D.C.’s Logan Circle and Crystal City in Arlington earlier this year. Other existing Amazon Fresh stores are in Fairfax, Franconia, Lorton and Manassas in Northern Virginia, and two locations in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
The 50,000-square-foot Potomac Yard Amazon Fresh, at 3801 Richmond Highway, will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Amazon Fresh has 42 locations in eight states, the majority of them in California and the Chicago area. Amazon also owns Whole Foods, which has close to 500 stores in the U.S. and more than a dozen in the D.C. area.
Amazon has slowed the rollout of new Amazon Fresh stores as it works to find the right mix of products, services and technology. Stores include a mix of Dash Carts, with touchscreens that help shoppers navigate stores, Alexa kiosks and its Amazon One palm-reading technology for payments.
Amazon Fresh stores are as much online grocery order-fulfillment centers as they are grocery stores with shoppers likely to see multiple order fillers and delivery drivers sharing the aisle with them.
“We remain committed to grocery, and will selectively open new Amazon Fresh stores as we see positive customer feedback on the new format, as well as continue to open new Whole Foods Market stores,” Amazon said in a statement.
The Potomac Yard Amazon Fresh is near the $1 billion Virginia Tech innovation campus currently under construction. It joins other retailers at Potomac Yard, including T.J. Maxx, Total Wine, Target, Staples, PetSmart, Old Navy, J. Crew Factory, Men’s Wearhouse, Home Goods, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble, as well as several restaurants.
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Kroger has proposed a sale of six Harris Teeter locations in the D.C. area as part of its $24.6 billion merger with Albertsons.
Kroger and Albertsons have released a final list of the hundreds of grocery stores they plan to divest as part of their $24.6 billion merger, despite the legal challenges and union opposition they face.
The stores proposed for sale include six Harris Teeter locations in the D.C. area — in Germantown and Olney in Maryland; Alexandria, Arlington and Purcellville in Virginia; and in D.C.’s Navy Yard. Kroger owns Harris Teeter and Albertsons owns Safeway, but no Safeway stores in the D.C. region were on the divestiture list, which includes almost 580 stores in 19 states.
Should the merger be approved, C&S Wholesale Grocers, the parent company of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store chain, has agreed to acquire the divested stores.
All three stores have said no stores would be closed as a result of the merger, no jobs would be cut and all collective bargaining agreements would be honored.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Union, which opposes the merger, issued a statement.
“Today’s announcement changes nothing. The merger is not a done deal, far from it,” the statement said. “We remain focused on stopping the proposed megamerger for the same reasons we have stated since it was announced 20 months ago.”
UFCW locals contend the merger would harm workers, shoppers, suppliers and communities.
Combined, Kroger and Albertsons operate more than 5,000 stores, under their namesakes and others including Ralphs, Acme and Jewel-Osco. Albertsons also owns Balducci’s Food Lovers Market.
In addition to Piggly Wiggly, C&S Wholesale operates the Grand Union supermarket chain, wholesale operations and owns private-label store brands.
A Federal Trade Commission complaint aimed at blocking the deal alleges it would harm consumers by eliminating competition of prices and quality, and give the companies increased leverage of employee wages and benefits. The merger has also been challenged by courts in Oregon and Colorado.
Here is a list of proposed Harris Teeter divestitures in Maryland, Virginia and D.C.:
Maryland:
14101 Darnestown Road, Germantown
18169 Town Center Drive, Olney
10125 Ward Road, Dunkirk
28528 Marlboro Avenue, Easton
Virginia:
735 N Saint Asaph Street, Alexandria
2425 N Harrison Street, Arlington
105 Purcellville Gateway Drive, Purcellville
D.C.:
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Four ShopRite stores in the Philadelphia area will be the first in Pennsylvania where customers can use high-tech shopping carts that keep running totals of their groceries and unlock rewards.
The New Jersey-based supermarket chain said Thursday it will introduce the carts at the following stores:
• ShopRite of Morrell Plaza – 9910 Frankford Ave., Northeast Philly • ShopRite of Brookhaven – 5075 Edgemont Ave., Brookhaven, Delaware County • ShopRite of Bridge & Harbison – 5597 Tulip St., Northeast Philly • ShopRite of Drexeline – 5000 State Road, Drexel Hill, Delaware County
The new Caper Carts, made by grocery delivery company Instacart, were introduced at a ShopRite in Hoboken, New Jersey, in May and have since been added to 11 stores in the retailer’s footprint in the Northeast.
Each smart cart has a screen where shoppers scan their items as they shop, displaying how much they’re spending and which coupons are available. For those with a ShopRite Price Plus membership, the screen also shows customers how much they need to spend to get rewards. There’s also a built-in scale that weighs and determines the price of produce, and when items are removed from a cart, sensors know to deduct the cost from the customer’s total.
When shoppers are ready to pay, they take their carts to the self-checkout area and scan the bar code on their cart to check out.
The carts also offer first-time users a tutorial mode that explains how to use them. At the end of the shopping trip, the smart carts can be returned to the same area where regular carts are kept.
The technology has more features than the “Just Walk Out” shopping carts that Amazon Fresh introduced when the tech giant opened its first grocery stores in 2020. Earlier this year, Amazon Fresh opted to get rid of those carts because they had received feedback from customers who wanted to be able to see a running total of their shopping lists while going through the store.
Amazon Fresh has just over 40 stores and has struggled to gain traction, resulting in some closures and a pause on store openings. The company now plans to replace its older carts with new Dash Carts that have similar features to the ones entering ShopRite stores.
Instacart is rolling out its Caper Carts at a growing number of U.S. grocers as part of a wider effort to make the technology available to more shoppers.
ShopRite is a retailer-owned cooperative with more than 300 locations operated by 50 members. The brand’s presence in Philadelphia has grown to 13 stores, including nine operated by Brown’s Super Food Stores, Inc. — the company led by businessman and former mayoral candidate Jeff Brown. The four that initially will have the new carts are not among Brown’s stores.
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