Hannaford's Holiday Pricing

[CateP]

I am enjoying reading this thread because when I visited the area last week I went grocery shopping at Shaws in Gilford . Needless to say I was dismayed by both the prices and product selection.

When I returned to NJ I went to Wegman's and realized that would be the one thing I would really miss when I move to Wolfeboro. So I've been strategizing on how I'm going to grocery shop (for one).

The first thing I am going to do is buy a small freezer and put it in the basement. Then I am going down to Costco in Nashua to stock up. (May switch to BJs at some point). I'll probably go to Hunter's IGA (in Wolfeboro) for small items that expire quickly (milk, cold cuts). I plan on having a small food garden on my property and will look into supporting local farms. My strategy is to spend the least amount of money and energy (gas) on good quality foods, while supporting local growers (not grocers). I'm going to pay careful attention to my first few months grocery costs and adjust my strategy accordingly.

BTW- I was told that you can freeze fresh veggies and they will keep for a LONG time. You have to parboil them and then seal.

[Happy Gourmand]

Funny how not too long ago these same kind of comments were being posted about Jackson Star..well....maybe it isn't too funny. The way I see it...they are both large convenience stores... pricing their product according to what the market will bear. We usually bring our groceries up from home (Nashua). If not, we will go to Shaw's in Gilford for the specials...then over to Hannaford's in Gilford for the rest of what we may want. But if time warrants, it's down to Tilton to the Market Basket.
Pretty amazing how different these stores are from one another especially considering that 2 of them are the same chain.

[Irish mist]

Shaw's has closed ALL of their stores in Connecticut. They also closed the only Shaw's in the north country of NH several years ago. And if anyone can tell me how Shaw's is keeping that ghost town of a store in Tilton open I would love to know.

Yup......not a big fan of Shaw's.

[Jmo77011]

Originally Posted by Irish mist

Shaw's has closed ALL of their stores in Connecticut. They also closed the only Shaw's in the north country of NH several years ago. And if anyone can tell me how Shaw's is keeping that ghost town of a store in Tilton open I would love to know.

Yup......not a big fan of Shaw's.

Well, they did close the store in Gorham, but there are still Shaw's stores in Lancaster, Littleton, and Woodsville. Up here, there is NO competition (aside from the small stores), and the prices are truly outrageous. What makes it even worse is that this area is so depressed, and people have no other choice. Talk about price gouging!

I am no fan of Shaw's, either, and I can honestly say that as soon as we move (24 days and counting), Shaw's will never see another dollar of mine.

[Irish mist]

Originally Posted by Jmo77011

Well, they did close the store in Gorham, but there are still Shaw's stores in Lancaster, Littleton, and Woodsville. Up here, there is NO competition (aside from the small stores), and the prices are truly outrageous. What makes it even worse is that this area is so depressed, and people have no other choice. Talk about price gouging!

I am no fan of Shaw's, either, and I can honestly say that as soon as we move (24 days and counting), Shaw's will never see another dollar of mine.

Good to know that Shaw's is still around up north cause there is not much else in way of competition, but I bet their prices are even worse up there.

[Greene's Basin Girl]

I love Wegman's. I go to it when I visit family in upstate New York.

[nicole]

Originally Posted by CateP

I am enjoying reading this thread because when I visited the area last week I went grocery shopping at Shaws in Gilford . Needless to say I was dismayed by both the prices and product selection.

When I returned to NJ I went to Wegman's and realized that would be the one thing I would really miss when I move to Wolfeboro. So I've been strategizing on how I'm going to grocery shop (for one).

The first thing I am going to do is buy a small freezer and put it in the basement. Then I am going down to Costco in Nashua to stock up. (May switch to BJs at some point). I'll probably go to Hunter's IGA (in Wolfeboro) for small items that expire quickly (milk, cold cuts). I plan on having a small food garden on my property and will look into supporting local farms. My strategy is to spend the least amount of money and energy (gas) on good quality foods, while supporting local growers (not grocers). I'm going to pay careful attention to my first few months grocery costs and adjust my strategy accordingly.

BTW- I was told that you can freeze fresh veggies and they will keep for a LONG time. You have to parboil them and then seal.

They are building a Wegman's in Northboro, MA. It opens October 16. From my house in the Gilford/Laconia area-on the weekend without traffic-we can make in just shy of 2 hours. I know Wolfeboro will be longer but perhaps occasional trips to stock up. My husband I will be making monthly trips to stock up. Right now whenever we are in NJ, we bring coolers and stock up in Wegmans because the quality and price is better than the stores up here.

We also buy local and got to Beans and Greens, Moulton Farms and are in the Big Banana CSA for produce that is much better than the food stores up here.

Perhaps once you are settled, you can ride down with me and my husband for one of our monthly excursions. We are counting down the days and are going to the grand opening in October.

[Lucky1]

I wish we could get a Costco at the lake. I do not know if they could make a go of it in the winter months though. I guess I never checked the prices all that much at Hannafords.

I walked out of Publix today in Florida. Did not buy anything at all. THERE A COSTCO ABOUT A MILE AWAY. Got a great chicken for $4.99, much larger and tastier than the $7.99 they get at Publix. I also got 12 Kiwi's and a huge package of fresh strawberries and large bunch of asparagas etc etc. I don't know of anywhere that can beat the prices at Costco. From now on I will try to stop in Nashua when I am in New England and stock up on my way to the lake. There is a Costco not far from where I stay in MA so am going to start going there.

Thanks to this wonderful Winnipesaukee Forum, I decided to take the price of food more seriously. I had not paid as much attention to it as I should have done. I can use the money I save for more important things. For one ..........the cottage needs a new roof and a coat of paint! So thanks for setting my straight on Hannafords. I did practically all of my shopping there whenever I was at the lake!!

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I wish we could get a Costco at the lake. I do not know if they could make a go of it in the winter months though. I guess I never checked the prices all that much at Hannafords.

I walked out of Publix today in Florida. Did not buy anything at all. THERE A COSTCO ABOUT A MILE AWAY. Got a great chicken for $4.99, much larger and tastier than the $7.99 they get at Publix. I also got 12 Kiwi's and a huge package of fresh strawberries and large bunch of asparagas etc etc. I don't know of anywhere that can beat the prices at Costco. From now on I will try to stop in Nashua when I am in New England and stock up on my way to the lake. There is a Costco not far from where I stay in MA so am going to start going there.

Thanks to this wonderful Winnipesaukee Forum, I decided to take the price of food more seriously. I had not paid as much attention to it as I should have done. I can use the money I save for more important things. For one ..........the cottage needs a new roof and a coat of paint! So thanks for setting my straight on Hannafords. I did practically all of my shopping there whenever I was at the lake!!

Lucky, summer's awastin', time to get to the lake. See you at FF this year?

[TOAD]

We have been Costco members for 15 years or more now. No complaints. Quality and price of thier meats is great. We will miss Costco when we move up there.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Lucky, summer's awastin', time to get to the lake. See you at FF this year?

"From your lips to God's ears" on my chances of getting to the Forum Fest. I am doing a project that I hope to get done enough to allow me time at the lake and then back to the project. Keep your fingers crossed. I love it at the lake so much that I am fearful I will not get back to finish if I go too early. There are rules for when you can do work as there is no noise allowed from Nov 1 to May 1. So this is the window!!

Summer will officially start June 21st! Don't make me feel any worse than I already do!!!! I also have a daughter expecting around mid August out in CA and a Mom who is in assisted living in VA. Lots going on at this time for sure.

Hoping to see everyone at the Forum Fest and will do my best to try to attend! Thanks for asking.

[CateP]

Originally Posted by nicole

They are building a Wegman's in Northboro, MA. It opens October 16. From my house in the Gilford/Laconia area-on the weekend without traffic-we can make in just shy of 2 hours. I know Wolfeboro will be longer but perhaps occasional trips to stock up. My husband I will be making monthly trips to stock up. Right now whenever we are in NJ, we bring coolers and stock up in Wegmans because the quality and price is better than the stores up here.

We also buy local and got to Beans and Greens, Moulton Farms and are in the Big Banana CSA for produce that is much better than the food stores up here.

Perhaps once you are settled, you can ride down with me and my husband for one of our monthly excursions. We are counting down the days and are going to the grand opening in October.

Hi Nicole-I saw that they are opening a store in MA. Odd location if you ask me. I would be very interested in making Wegman's excursions. I have to go to my company's office in Waltham occasionally so I could stop in. The thing I like about Wegman's is their prepared food and deli. Fabulous. Not sure it would be the best choice for "stocking up" as I am planning to buy in bulk and freeze. (Costco has best meats of all the whole sale clubs IMO)

[Happy Gourmand]

Agreed! I have switched some friends over from BJ's and Sam's to Costco for exactly this reason.
I picked up 2 USDA PRIME ribeye steaks at Costco a couple weeks ago. A bit pricy at about $15/lb but worth every cent! Best I ever had!

[BlackCatIslander]

I think that it was last Sunday's Globe that stated Wegman's will be building a very large store in Burlington near the mall. It is a great store with lots of variety but my understanding is that their pricing is higher than Market Basket.

On our trip to the lake we always try to stop at the Market Basket in Tilton. We are not consistent since we will pay more for the steak tips at the Whinning Butcher than we could at Pace's in Saugus. The taste is worth it.

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

I picked up 2 USDA PRIME ribeye steaks at Costco a couple weeks ago. A bit pricy at about $15/lb but worth every cent! Best I ever had!

Wow, that sounds more than a little pricey. I buy ribeyes at Sams in Manchester and the price is just about half that.

[lakejen]

Has anyone heard if there are any plans to put another supermarket in Gilford when Hannaford moves to its new location next to Lowes? Maybe it will be a Market Basket. Wouldn't that we awesome??

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Wow, that sounds more than a little pricey. I buy ribeyes at Sams in Manchester and the price is just about half that.

My guess is that you are buying USDA CHOICE....that's what they go for in the club stores....USDA PRIME is you get in the top restaurants....

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

My guess is that you are buying USDA CHOICE....that's what they go for in the club stores....USDA PRIME is you get in the top restaurants....

A little background on myself PG. My family owned a meat processing plant here for 30 years and I purchased meat for 15.
Its definately choice PG.I don't know why you would want to pay double price for prime ribeyes. The ribeye is a higher fat content cut of steak and is the reason I buy them. The flavor is always in the fat and the ribeye has more marbling than the rest. Prime cut for the most part means it has more marbling than choice. Age plays some part as the best flavors and texture are from cows 18-24 months in age. My point is the ribeye has plenty of marbling in the choice grade for me at half the price. For me its like paying twice the price for supreme gasoline, a little advantage but....you get the idea. If thats what you want and like then go for it.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

My guess is that you are buying USDA CHOICE....that's what they go for in the club stores....USDA PRIME is you get in the top restaurants....

Just an fyi... You can get USDA Prime at Sam's, all you have to do is ask. Just a few weeks ago I bought a huge USDA Prime Rib Roast there for a lot less money that they wanted at the "Meat Shop" and it was the best prime rib I have ever eaten.

We buy most of our meats at Sams Club because they are so good and priced right. The Sam's in Manchester has an exceptional butcher department.

Dan

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Just an fyi... You can get USDA Prime at Sam's, all you have to do is ask. Just a few weeks ago I bought a huge USDA Prime Rib Roast there for a lot less money that they wanted at the "Meat Shop" and it was the best prime rib I have ever eaten.

We buy most of our meats at Sams Club because they are so good and priced right. The Sam's in Manchester has an exceptional butcher department.

Dan

Yup..I've seen the PRIME at Sam's...got mine at Costco...I don't usually buy it, but it was a special occasion and they looked particularly good in the case....I usually buy Choice but decided to splurge..... marbling was particularly consistent...color and texture helped put me over the edge too.... meat prices are better than most places at either Sam's or Costco.

[spider22]

We are coming up in a couple of weeks to stay in the weir area and usually do all our shopping at Shaw's right before we check in because it is close and do not want groceries sitting in a warm vehicle while we do other things. This year we are stopping at the Tanger outlet in Tilton and having lunch there. We will going from there straight to check in. Most of our purchases will be in the deli and produce dept. Will we save enough at Market Basket in Tilton and is their deli and produce dept good or are we better off just going to the Shaw's in Gilford like we normally do.

[IslandRadio]

I much prefer the Market Basket in Tilton to any other store. There is a huge selection of everything, and the quality, particularly of the meat, is superior to Shaws.

And the prices seem very good, although I am not en expert in this area - typical male shopper

[Irish mist]

Originally Posted by spider22

We are coming up in a couple of weeks to stay in the weir area and usually do all our shopping at Shaw's right before we check in because it is close and do not want groceries sitting in a warm vehicle while we do other things. This year we are stopping at the Tanger outlet in Tilton and having lunch there. We will going from there straight to check in. Most of our purchases will be in the deli and produce dept. Will we save enough at Market Basket in Tilton and is their deli and produce dept good or are we better off just going to the Shaw's in Gilford like we normally do.

A bag of ice at Tilton Market Basket is 99 cents. That should do the trick for you with any cold items.