Whole Foods VS Walmart

I figured this would be a fun little discussion between two grocery stores. The reason why I chose these two is because: 1) whole foods is known to be one of the better stores to have healthier options, 2.) most people know what a “Walmart” is and it is another grocery store that is popular among Americans. Both of these grocery stores have pros and cons and some of you might shop at one or the other or both depending on your needs and finances. 

My town does not have a Whole Foods store, but we do have a Walmart – two of them. I don’t particularly like shopping at Walmart because of it being constantly busy, sometimes the people piss me off (this is just honesty) and I live closer to a Kroger store but I will shop there for my feminine products and minor grocery depending on what it is. When I resided in Colorado Springs (I now reside in Ohio) I would go to Whole foods just for the burritos they made, so good! yum! but never actually shopped at a Whole Foods Store. The closest Whole foods to me would be about a hour or so away, so not too bad. 

Keep in mind this blog topic isn’t meant to make one out to be BETTER than the other – but to give perspective and start an engaging conversation as to why you shop at one or the other, or both! Maybe you don’t shop at either one of these stores, and if that is the case, share what store you prefer and why! This will be from my own perspective/data and also from research! 

Walmart:

Pros:

1. Typically has one or two registers open – so either have to use the self check out or wait in long lines 
2. Whenever I have gone to a Walmart and needed help finding a particular product, 95 percent of the time the employee didn’t even know what it was, didn’t know where it was located within the store
3. I have found where they mark something down on a tag and it is the same price as the regular price
4. I am not a huge fan of their produce area 
5. I have been told the pay rate sucks as an employee there (depending on where you live)
6. Their pricing of clothing isn’t that much cheaper than shopping someplace else with better quality (in my opinion where I reside)
7. The cashiers always seem in a sad or bad mood whenever I’ve been there. lol I have had some rude ones too! 
8. I don’t like their quality of beef or chicken 
9. Sometimes the great value price is higher than the name brand
10. People drive like maniacs through their parking lot — this is just from my own experience 
11. It’s a huge store, many times you have to go from one end to the other to get everything you need – so if you are ever in a rush for time, this is probably not your go to

1. Good for college students who are need of a job (research says many college students work here to earn extra income)
2. Supposedly great medical insurance 
3. Quality products 
4. Most if not all of them offer a salad bar, food kitchen area to have food made out for you to go or stay and eat
5. surrounded by people who like eating healthier food options
6. Educates people on healthy eating
7. Variety of food products
8. All meat sources at Whole foods is said to be raised without hormones or antibiotics 
9. Gluten free food selection
10. Typically more local foods found here
11. They care about the environment
12. By 2018 they are supposedly going to commit to GMO labeling on all their products
13. Quality standards for both farm and wild caught seafood
14. offers coupons
15. online recipes on their site
16. able to shop online
17. offer flyers

1. Not a one stop shop
2. tends to be more expensive
3. Located in bigger cities vs smaller communities (typically)
4. spending more and bringing home less groceries (a reviewer said)
5. Some people prefer trader Joes over whole foods.
6. Bigger stores – again can make it harder to navigate
7. Have been reported they sometimes make it hard to tell the prices of things on their shelves