When you’re looking for a new grocery store, you have at least a few options. Of course, those will depend on where you live, but Safeway and Fred Meyer are popular.
If you’re looking for the best deals, consider both shops. That way, you can determine which suits your needs better.
How Do Safeway and Fred Meyer Compare?
Fred Meyer offers lower prices than Safeway, but it’s had more recalls. There are also fewer products available at Fred Meyer. However, employees have rated Fred Meyer as the better company to work for.
Be sure to consider a few categories to compare the stores. Keep the details in mind before you choose where to get your groceries.
Store Brand Pricing
One of the most important factors when choosing a grocery store is your final bill. Of course, you might choose to buy Kellogg brand cereal or Charmin paper goods. However, you should consider how the stores price their house brand items.
Fred Meyer has lower prices across the board. Some of its products cost about half as much as the store brand at Safeway. Others have smaller discounts, but you can still save more over time if you shop at Fred Meyer.
If you live near both stores, go to each to compare the prices on name-brand items. Then, you can determine which will be the more affordable grocer for you.
Number of Products
You probably have your standard items that you like to buy. So if one store carries them and the other doesn’t, that can help you select the better store. However, you may still want to know which place has a better selection of items.
Safeway wins in this category with more than triple as many products as Fred Meyer. The latter still has about 10,000 products you can purchase, but the former offers 33,000 and counting.
If you like to try new things, Safeway might be the better store. You can choose from new brands and items without having to go around town. However, if you know Fred Meyer carries your favorite goods, it might serve your needs better.
Product Recalls
Having more products isn’t always a good thing if it leads to more recalls. A recall happens when the manufacturers discover something is wrong with their product. The stores have to stop selling the items in question.
Overall, Fred Meyer has had more recalls than Safeway, though the numbers are close. Safeway’s recalled 11 items, while the number of recalls at Fred Meyer is 16. Most of the recalls have been in the food and beverage category.
However, Fred Meyer has recalled one drug. Not only has Fred Meyer had more recalls, but the ratio is higher (0.16% to 0.03%).
Locations
Safeway and Fred Meyer are both big grocery chains, but you need to find a store near you. That way, you can get your essentials without having to drive too far.
You’ll find over 900 Safeway locations in DC and 17 states from coast to coast. However, there are only a little over 100 Fred Meyer locations. Those stores are in four states, including Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Safeway is in all of those states as well, so you may have access to both stores. But outside of those states, Safeway might be the only grocery store you can get to.
Rewards Program
Another important thing to consider is a rewards program. Even if a store has higher prices, the rewards program might be good enough to help you save money.
Safeway has a free rewards program that anyone can join. For every dollar you spend there, you’ll earn a point. After every 100 points, you’ll earn a reward, and 12 rewards will get you $20 off your grocery order.
Fred Meyer also has a rewards program to help you save in the store and on gas. Sadly, you’ll have to pay $59 per year to be a member. However, if you shop there enough, the membership could pay for itself.
Working There
Employees have rated Safeway and Fred Meyer in various categories. In every area, from the CEO to gender to perks, Fred Meyer wins.
Now, most of the categories only have a difference of a few points. However, Fred Meyer has a 20-point lead over Safeway when it comes to professional development. They also have an 11-point lead when it comes to employee benefits.
So if you’re looking to work for either company, Fred Meyer might be better. Of course, you can apply to both. If you get an interview, be sure to ask about things that matter to you, from benefits to diversity.
Can You Shop at Both Safeway and Fred Meyer?
If you live near a Safeway and a Fred Meyer, you can shop at both. Doing that might help you get the best possible deal on your groceries.
While Fred Meyer has lower prices, the free Safeway rewards program could help you save. So do some comparison shopping to decide where to buy certain items.
That way, you can make the most of your grocery budget.
Safeway or Fred Meyer
Safeway and Fred Meyer each have pros and cons. While Safeway has more products, it’s also a bit more expensive. Employees have also had better experiences working for Fred Meyer. But the store has had more recalls than Safeway. Consider what’s most important to you to decide where to spend your time and money.