Grocery Outlet Organics + a GIVEAWAY!

A few weeks ago I was invited to visit the Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Escondido. I had been to the Grocery Outlet in Poway a few times but I never really understood the “how”. I mean the company name is Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, so how can they provide products I usually purchase in national stores at a significant discount, sometimes up to 60% off the national price?

A lot of questions I asked myself while first shopping there were probably some of the same ones you might have.

– Does this mean that the food is old?
– Are they selling dented canned food?
– Do they even carry national brands?

Well, when we sat down with one of the owners, Marcey Williams, she filled us in on some of the misnomers that people have. It was also wonderful listening to her because she and her husband, Frank (the other owner), have 52+ years of combined experience in the grocery industry. Working with big name companies like Mission and Kellog’s, the Williams’ decided to make the move to San Diego from Washington State to start their own business in Escondido. Hearing their story and their dedication makes me want to shop at their store as much as I can!

Marcey explained that they are always looking for organic products to add to their shelves. I was so impressed as I walked around filling my cart noticing big name brands that I purchase for my family on a weekly basis, brands like: Applegate, Annie’s, Kashi, Barbara’s, Coastal Range Organics, Justin’s & Horizon just to name a few. They even have a produce area and locally source as much as possible! I was really blown away with the dairy section. My kids, like most kids, love their cheese & crackers! So when I saw that their favorites were offered at a significant discount I had to bring some home. Plus, we bring snack to Payton’s class on a bi-weekly basis so finding Annie’s crackers way less makes sharing quality snacks a plus!

The Grocery Outlet does not sell just food! They have a great selection of patio goods, seasonal products, toiletries, beer and wine! The wine selection is surprising! Just go check it out to see for yourself, score a $34 bottle of wine for $8.99!

So, how can the Grocery Outlet keep their prices so low?

• New Packaging – Companies change their packaging all the time! It could be something as minor as a font color change but national stores like to have the most up to date packaging on their shelves. The Grocery Outlet is now able to order that product at a deep discount.
• Extras – Sometimes stores order way too much product or a manufacturer makes too much product. Grocery Outlet is now able to purchase the overstock and passes the great value to their shoppers.
• A test – Big name companies are always testing new products. They might create three new flavors and when the national stores only pick two of those flavors the Grocery Outlet can now offer the third flavor. Or, if a new product didn’t take off as fast as they would like they can sell it to the Grocery Outlet.
• Mistakes – Just like we make mistakes so do brands. There might be a spelling mistake on the ingredients list, now because of that mistake we are able to purchase this product for up to 60% off.
• Shorter Shelf Life – Did you know that a typical grocery store will not stock a product with a shelf life less than a year? Nuts! These products will most likely end up at the Grocery Outlet. I have never seen anything expired on the shelves at the Grocery Outlet.