Since this month’s survey was conducted at Lakeside’s Soriana and Wal-Mart branches, we thought readers might want to know how an independent enterprise like San Antonio’s popular SuperLake chalks up against the big box stores.
{reg}Although SuperLake doesn’t handle fresh meats or hard liquor, we found 28 comparable GC Market Basket items on the shelves at all three stores. Looking at the total cost for just those products, Soriana comes in with the best deal at $582.95 pesos, while SuperLake undercuts Wal-Mart, at 595.15 versus 608.75.
SuperLake rates as the area’s little giant in the selection of imported, organic and gourmet food products. Where else would you go to stock up on truffle oil? (With a 375-peso price tag, the 250-milliliter bottle is kept under lock and key.)
The chain stores are making some effort to cater to expatriate consumers by stocking a limited number of specialty items bearing American, Canadian, European, Asian and Mexican labels, even if it entails an aisle-by-aisle safari to find them. Figure Wal-Mart’s logic in placing stuffing mix side-by-side with sushi ingredients. Soriana recently relocated its showcase of gourmet goodies from a far corner of the produce section to a new spot on the opposite side of the store next to the deli counter Many other enticing import items, however, are spread out among similar Mexican products.
In contrast, SuperLake shoppers need a sharp eye to find cheaper Mexican brands that are often less visible than their imported counterparts. A 340-gram box of American made Ritz crackers—priced at a whopping 85.90 pesos—is prominently at eye-level, while the Mexican version in 135-gram packets (4.90 each) are stashed across the aisle at floor level.
Bargain hunters will discover competitive pricing on imports. For example, a 198-gram can of Spam goes for 26.00 at Wal-Mart, 28.50 at Soriana, and 37.50 at SuperLake. Wal-Mart was sold out on Breton brand crackers priced at 29.90, compared to 33.60 at SuperLake and 42.90 at Soriana.
Though not always available, U.S. brand peanut butter is consistently cheaper at Wal-Mart and Soriana than SuperLake, so it’s worth stocking up when you find it. This week Soriana was selling 510-gram jars of Jif honey peanut butter for 42.00 pesos, compared to SuperLake’s 49.90 price tag for the same item. Cheese lovers can also pick up on Soriana’s current special on Elite mild cheddar cut from bulk blocks, a steal at 84.90 per kg., versus 125 per kilo for a comparable product at SuperLake.
Canny consumers will look for more bargain prices in the advertising pamphlets found near the doors of the big stores. And remember that both outlets offer substantial markdowns on fresh produce every Tuesday.
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